The Council of States wants to examine immigrants’ criminal records; Zurich rents rise by 3 percent over two years; plus more Swiss news in our roundup on Wednesday.
The Council of States wants to examine immigrants’ criminal records
Deputies proposed that third-country nationals be required to routinely submit their criminal record extract before being allowed to settle in Switzerland.
EU citizens, on the other hand, would only be required to do so if there were grounds for suspicion.
MPs from the populist Swiss People’s Party argued, however, that this requirement should apply equally to all new arrivals, regardless of their country or origin.
The debate on this topic will continue.
Don’t miss our journalists’ daily news roundup from Switzerland
Rents in the city of Zurich rise by 3 percent over two years
Rents in the Switzerland’s most expensive city, which suffers from a chronic housing shortage, went up by around 3 percent since 2024 – an increase that exceeds the standard rate of inflation.
A typical 75-square-metre apartment currently costs around 1,690 francs per month – approximately 50 francs more than two years ago, according to figures released by the Zurich’s statistics office on Tuesday.
The current 3.1 percent rise in net rents exceeds the city’s general inflation rate, which stood at 1.2 percent over the same period.
The upward trend affects all types of dwellings, resulting in higher rents for housing cooperatives as well.
Nevertheless, at an average monthly rent of 1,150 francs, non-profit housing remains significantly cheaper than properties on the open market, which cost an average of 1,990 francs.
SBB launches its first refurbished FV-Dosto train
The first long-distance double-decker FV-Dosto train with modified bogies will enter regular service today, the national rail company, SBB, announced.
It will offer a smoother and more comfortable ride, as the SBB had fixed numerous technical glitches – including jamming doors, operating system crashes, and problems with heating and air-conditioning systems.
Passengers also complained of an unpleasantly bumpy ride in some of the carriages – problems that are no longer present in the revamped train.
US tourist dies after falling into a crevasse in Swiss Alps
A 55-year-old American died at the Klein Matterhorn glacier located above Zermatt.
According to the Valais cantonal police, “the man fell into a glacier crevasse after entering a restricted area closed to pedestrians.”
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
