Institutions & politics

How Switzerland works: Federal Council, Parliament, cantons, parties and direct democracy, explained simply.

• Becoming Swiss: naturalisation and residence permits

  How many years of residence, what conditions, what three-tier procedure: how you become a Swiss citizen, explained simply.

• Swiss direct democracy: popular votes, initiatives, referendums

  Popular initiative, referendum, double majority: how Swiss citizens vote four times a year and can change the Constitution or block a law.

• Swiss neutrality: where it comes from and what it means

  Armed neutrality since 1815, neither NATO nor EU, but a UN member: what Swiss neutrality really is, and why it is debated today.

• Swiss political parties and the “magic formula”

  SVP, SP, FDP, The Centre, Greens, Green Liberals: Switzerland's main parties and the “magic formula” that shares out the government seats.

• Switzerland and the European Union: neither member nor isolated

  Why Switzerland is not in the EU, what the bilateral agreements are, and why it is still in Schengen: Switzerland–EU relations explained.

• The Swiss army and military service: how it works

  A militia army, compulsory service, civilian service: how the Swiss army works, the pillar of the country's armed neutrality.

• The Swiss education system: school, gymnasium and apprenticeship

  A school system run by the cantons, around 11 years of compulsory schooling, then a choice between gymnasium and apprenticeship: the Swiss education system explained.

• The Swiss political system: Federal Council, Parliament, cantons

  A seven-member government, a two-chamber Parliament, 26 cantons and direct democracy: how the Swiss political system really works.