Oswaldo Royett

  The federal government’s wallet app is called Swiyu – it’s where your E-ID will be stored. In this article, I’ll go into exactly how the E-ID and app work as well as any downsides.   On 28 September 2025, the Swiss people accepted the Federal Act on the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (e-ID Act) . A few weeks ago, the federal government promoted its associated wallet app Swiyu to the next phase, namely a so-called public beta. If you’d like, you can download the app for Android and iOS and try it out for yourself. Mind you, it’s just a dry run, you can’t actually use it like a real ID yet. This will only kick in starting autumn 2026 at the earliest, assuming the referendum passes. What does Swiyu mean? Swiyu is the wallet app itself. In other words, the digital home in which you store your E-ID if you want one. The somewhat strange name is a combination of Switzerland and you. It’s meant to give off a «From Switzerland, for Swiss people» vibe. What happens ...

  Nestled amidst the breathtaking Swiss Alps, Saint Moritz stands as a testament to elegance, luxury, and natural beauty. Beyond its renowned glamour, this picturesque town harbors unbelievable truths that add depth and intrigue to its allure. Let’s unveil the top 10 astounding revelations about Saint Moritz that will leave you utterly captivated.  1. Pioneering Winter Tourism  Saint Moritz proudly claims the title of being the birthplace of winter tourism. Over 150 years ago, this charming town transformed into a winter wonderland when hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a bet with his summer guests. He promised them a delightful experience in the winter, and thus began the legacy of skiing, snowboarding, and the world’s first curling tournament, marking Saint Moritz as a pioneer in winter sports.  2. Two-Time Olympic Host  Imagine a place so enchanting that it hosted the Winter Olympics not once, but twice! Saint Moritz made history by hosting the Winter Olympics i...

  Apple's emergency call service via satellite is now also available in Switzerland. You need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 with iOS 17. From today you can also use Apple's satellite emergency call in Switzerland and Spain. The company announced this in a press release on Friday morning. The feature allows emergency services to be alerted in areas without cellular reception. It works with all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models and is built directly into the iOS operating system. The service will be free for two years, after which it is unclear how much it will cost. How it works When you dial 911 and have no reception, the iPhone automatically switches to satellite mode. It only works outdoors and you need as clear a view of the sky as possible. Clouds are no problem, but large buildings can be an obstacle. Important to know: To use the service in Switzerland, you need iOS 17. Since the bandwidth via satellite is not sufficient for a voice call, a text message is transmitted instead. I...

  Today we're going to look at Threema, a secure, anonymous messaging app from Switzerland. While Threema has never achieved the notoriety of apps like Signal or Telegram, that doesn't mean that it's not worth your attention. In this Threema review we'll show you everything this secure messaging app has to offer. Threema basics Threema is easy to use and has the full range of features you would expect from a secure messenger app. It offers text and voice messages, voice and video calls, groups and distribution lists, and the ability to share files, media, and locations. Everything is end-to-end encrypted, including the items you share. Threema also lets you conduct polls, have private chats that are protected by a PIN or fingerprint, verify contacts to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, and quote text messages. Because you don't need to enter your phone number or email address when creating a Threema account, you can use the service completely anonymously. This is a...

  The number of new electric cars sold in Switzerland continues to accelerate – even faster than predicted, according to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) car association. Sales of alternative fuel vehicles [all electric, plug-in hybrids, other hybrid models and gas-powered vehicles] climbed steeply last year to account for almost half of all new cars sold in Switzerland. 2021 ended particularly strongly. For the September to November period, fully electric vehicles accounted for 18.3% of new registrations and plug-in vehicles (electric and plug-in hybrids) hit a record 28%, Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) reported. The TCS described the 18.3% threshold as a milestone. Electric vehicles had clearly gone beyond a “tipping point” and moved into the mainstream, it said. “Given the ongoing technological advancements, increased social acceptance and the ever-increasing choice of electric vehicle models, the development of electromobility is progressing faster than expected. The 50%-mark...

  While many couples wish to spend their honeymoons soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, it isn’t for everyone. Switzerland certainly isn’t know for its beaches, but its fascinating landscape and charming cities make for undoubtedly romantic adventures, no matter the time of year. Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes or stay curled up by a fire gazing out at snowy mountain tops, these Switzerland honeymoon destinations are also the perfect capstone to a winter wedding for those not afraid of a little chill. 1) Bernese Oberland For the couple who has spent many dates hiking, skiing or snowboarding, a honeymoon in the Bernese Oberland would be the perfect homage to your relationship. This region is home to countless treks with any scenery you could ask for, from castles perched on the banks of bright blue lakes to waterfalls cascading from jagged mountains. Ski resorts pepper the entire region, providing you easy access to some of the best slopes in the world by day and a luxurio...

If you asked 100 people to list Switzerland’s official languages, most of them would rattle off German, French, and Italian without a second thought. But then they would pause. If they’ve heard of Romansh, it’s not a name that they’ve retained. Switzerland has four national languages: Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansh. 64% of the population speaks German as a first language, with another 23% speaking French. Roughly 8% speak Italian, and less than one percent speak Romansh. (Note: these numbers do not add up to 100%, simply because immigrants often speak other native languages). Romansh is only spoken in a few valleys in the southeastern Alps but is one of four national Swiss languages. It is a national language, but not an official language. In fact, there are five regional dialects of Romansh divided up into Sursvilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Puter and Vallader and all five dialects are present in Canton Graubünden. When the Romans conquered the area in about 15 B.C.E., they La...

​ ​ From baker to banker, Swiss workers earn salaries that must be put into perspective. Like anywhere in the world, salaries in Switzerland vary depending on factors like education, experience and location. Each year,  canton Zurich’s Office for Economy and Labour publishes a guide outlining salaries for nearly every profession imaginable. This year’s 800-page  Lohnbuch 2017 (in German) compiles salary data such as minimum suggested wages plus typical salary ranges based on age and experience. You can learn more about working conditions in Switzerland in  swissinfo.ch’s guide to salarie s , which covers everything from pay and deductions to contracts and working hours. While the figures might seem high – especially in some branches – it’s important to remember that Switzerland also has a high cost of living. For example, people spend about a third of their income on rent alone. Source: swissinfo.ch