Click here to go to AngloINFO Geneva's front page
AngloINFO HOME > INFOrmation border = Living in Switzerland - The System border =
Inside

· Home

· Advertising

· Bookshop

· Classifieds

· Directory

· Downloads

· Exchange Rates

· Forum

· Games

· Get Listed!

· INFOrmation

· Link To Us

· Maps

· Mobile Web

· Movies

· News

· Newsletter

· Postcards

· Search

· Tell A Friend

· Toolbar

· Weather

· What's On

· (AngloINFO Switzerland)

Geneva Local Reference INFOrmation
Share Share | Print Print | Web bookmarks +
INFOrmation

Living in Switzerland - The System

Information from the EU on taxes, the cost of living, the health and education systems, the cultural and private lives and... shopping in Switzerland. Information relevant to any foreigner moving to or thinking of living in Geneva, Vaud or Neuchatel.
Contents:
Introduction

Moving to Switzerland
Registration Procedures
Moving Goods
Moving Financial Assets
Cars, Driving & Licences
Finding Accommodation
Finding a School
Moving Checklist

Living in Switzerland
The System
Incomes & Taxes
Cost of Living
Accommodation
Cultural & Social Life
Educational System
Private Life
Transport
The Health System

Social Security
Social Security in Europe
E forms: General Overview
General Organisation
Sickness Insurance
Family Insurance
Old Age Pensions
EU Health Card
Unemployment Benefits

Working in Switzerland
Finding a Job
Applications
Recognition of Qualifications
Kinds of Employment
Employment Contracts
Remuneration
Working Time
Vocational Training
Leave
End of Employment
Special Categories
Self-employment
Representation of Workers
Work Disputes
The political, administrative and legal system 
Switzerland is a federal and democratic state with three institutional levels: the Confederation, the cantons and the municipalities. The Confederation has three powers or branches: the Executive Branch (the Federal Council, composed of seven members elected for a four-year term); the Legislative Branch (the Federal Assembly, comprising two chambers each possessing the same rights: the Council of States with 46 deputies representing the cantons, and the National Council with 200 deputies representing the people, elected for a four-year term); and the Judicial Branch (the Federal Supreme Court). There are 26 cantons, which have the status of federal states. The municipalities constitute the lowest level of political organisation in Switzerland.

The Federal Constitution confers sovereignty – i.e. supreme political power – on the people, who elect the Parliament. This in turn elects the Government (the Federal Council), which appoints the members of the Federal Supreme Court. The four main political parties (all represented in the government) are: the Swiss People’s Party or Democratic Union of the Centre (SVP/UDC), the Radical Free Democratic Party (FDP/PRD), the Socialist Party (SP/PS) and the Christian Democratic People’s Party (CVP/PDC).

Judicial power in Switzerland is exercised principally on two levels, Federal (the Federal Supreme Court) and cantonal (the cantonal courts). Owing to Switzerland’s federal structure, the judicial authorities are organised differently in each canton, and procedures in individual legal spheres also differ according to the relevant canton. See the Related Topics and links opposite for more information and for the addresses of all Swiss courts.

Text last edited on: 04/2008

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.

myAngloINFO

· Sign in

· Become a member NOW!

Stay INFOrmed! with our weekly newsletter.

Related Categories

· Community Life: Geneva

· Family Life & Living in Geneva

Selected Local Businesses
Edelweiss International School (EIS)
EIS is a perfectly bilingual Christian primary and secondary school which enables children to learn to read and write in French and English from an early age. Small classes of no more than 12 students ensure high standards and a personalised education. Find out more...
FR Peinture
Interior and exterior painting, plastering, wallpapering and decoration for new builds or renovation of properties. Full advice given with a range of finishes and materials. Fake ceilings and division walls also. Find out more...
University of Business and International Studies UBIS
Your education, your way! Classes online, on ground and blended. Associates, Bachelors, Masters and EMBA degrees. Programs in Business, International Relations, Media and Communication, Information Systems. 12 starts per year. Adult Learner programs. Find out more...
Ecole Topffer
Would you like your child to learn perfect French, follow the French baccalaureat or go to university in Geneva? Few students (180), small classes and a secure family ambiance result in an almost 100% academic record. From age 9. Summer school. Find out more...
Take a break
Essential INFOrmation
Living In the Geneva region
Moving to the Geneva region
Life in the Geneva region
Bookmark with: DeliciousDiggGooglePropellerredditStumbleUponYahoo!

^ Top of Page ^

Page generated at 17:19; Saturday 7 November, 2009
Copyright © 2000-2009 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in Switzerland, in English
Find out more about AngloINFO in Switzerland...