Welcome
Founded in 1946, the British Residents’ Association of Switzerland (BRA) is a non profit organisation, for British, Commonwealth and Irish Citizens.
The Association organises numerous cultural, recreational, and social events in each of its regions for the benefit of its members.
The BRA also promotes friendship between its members and the people of Switzerland, helping the membership to know Switzerland’s different regional cultures and assisting them to integrate into Swiss life.
We look forward to meeting you soon at one of our regional events.
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31
Dec
2020
Happy New Year! and Information for UK nationals
Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Jane Owen, and everyone at the Embassy wishes you and your loved ones all the best for the New Year! As the Brexit Transition Period comes to an end on the 31st of December, we will continue to work hard to ensure that you have the information you need about living in Switzerland. We have summarised the most recent information and important links below. As you will be aware, the UK and Switzerland have agreed on the UK-Swiss Citizen’s Rights Agreement, as well as a number of continuity agreements in other areas (which include trade, air services, road transport, insurance and services mobility), which are ready to come into force at the end of the transition period. These agreements provide a high degree of continuity for individuals and businesses in both Switzerland and the UK. For further information see: gov.uk/government/collections/eu-exit-transition-switzerland. What to know about the Citizen’s Rights Agreement? The UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement protects the rights of UK nationals living in Switzerland, those who frontier work into Switzerland, as well as Swiss nationals living in the UK. It means that if you are a legal resident in Switzerland before the 1st of January 2021, you will be able to continue living your […]
8
Dec
2020
December Message from the Chairwoman
Dear Members, Sadly, we are not much further with the Corona situation since the last time I wrote to you with the BRA news. We have to inform you that our Secretary, Heidi Bigmore has resigned, it has not been an easy time for any of us. We would like to thank Heidi for her contribution, albeit short. This year’s resignations have in a way helped us in forging a new way forward, all the Council are behind the concept that we will now do job sharing. In this day and age, it is a danger when just one person is responsible for such a large part of a job. With this new concept we will be sure that if somebody resigns or drops out a replacement is already in place. Behind the scenes with Peter Payne and Deborah Gorsatt, who have really gone the extra mile organising we have been working to get all the jobs sorted out. The Council, as have some of the regions have stayed in touch by means of taking part in zoom meetings. Watch the website for more information in your region next year with this new form of contact and how you can […]
6
Dec
2020
COVID-19
Around Europe, all countries have been implementing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection. Please click on the blue link below to find the latest restrictions introduced by the Swiss Federal authorities. New coronavirus Remember: Your local canton or commune might introduce further measures which affect you. Please check with your local authorities what is the up to date information in your region.
23
Nov
2020
UK State Pension and Benefits post Brexit.
The BRA Council thought it would be useful to publish the following extracts from the UK government’s website gov.uk. They concern the UK State Pension and Benefits payable to UK expats living in Switzerland. ““Living in the EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 If you are a UK national living in an EEA state or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. You will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions. If you are working in the EEA or Switzerland, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension. You will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive in the EEA or Switzerland for as long as you continue to live there, and continue to meet all other eligibility requirements.”” The full text can be found by googling “Benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EEA or Switzerland”. Pension boost protected by new bill The Government has moved to avoid a State Pension freeze. (Press release […]
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