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. You will find a separate message on this site giving information on the responses by the UK and French authorities. BRA will provide additional information on this Website when it becomes available. Graham Robertson, BRA Chairman
BRA POLICY ON COVID-19 VIRUS
BRA is monitoring the propagation of Covid-19 in our area and taking seriously the effect that it could have on our members and BRA activities. Based on Swiss government advice, there are currently no plans to postpone or cancel any upcoming BRA events but we need to keep the situation under review in case that advice should change. Although the Federal Government has published its restrictions on gatherings, each Canton, Commune or Municipality has the authority to decide more stringent regulations of its own. Both the Canton of Bern and the City of Coire (Chur) have done so and others are likely to follow. Therefore, it is important that BRA Regional Chairmen remain aware of regulations in their area and comply with any restrictions imposed when planning, organising or cancelling events. In line with WHO advice, all should accept that some attendees may be reluctant to greet by shaking hands or with gestures involving physical contact. Members are advised to monitor the BRA diary on the website in case the authorities advise that an event must be cancelled. Any member who decides that it would not be sensible for them to attend an event is requested to inform the organiser in sufficient time to […]
Date for your diary….
New Concept for a National BRA Autumn Lunch. We are aware that some members have difficulty travelling long distances to attend a national event at a central location. Hence, we decided that it would be good for us to travel out into the heart of our different regions to enable more members to meet others from outside their region. We are aiming to start by holding an autumn lunch on Saturday the 24th October in Lugano in the Ticino. More details will be printed in the next Bulletin. In the meantime, please pencil the date into your diary.
Advertisement for Secretary BRA
Secretary, British Residents’ Association of Switzerland (BRA) The British Residents’ Association of Switzerland (BRA) is looking for someone to join the central management team as the BRA Secretary. This part-time post would suit someone who wishes the benefits of dealing with members throughout Switzerland while working from home. Information about the BRA can be found on the association’s website www.britishresidents.ch. Role: The BRA Secretary acts as a focal point for the BRA and provides administrative support to the Council and Members of the BRA. The appointment is for a part-time post of about 2 days per week. In particular, the Secretary is responsible for; Maintenance of a membership database including subscription renewals. As directed by the Treasurer, managing routine accounting, contracts, and financial receipts and payments. Support to the Council, including arranging Council and general meetings, recording of minutes, follow-up actions and assisting with events. Assisting editors with production of a quarterly Bulletin, a Website and information in electronic form to members. Managing BRA correspondence, records and archives. Reports to: National Chairman, BRA. Requirements: This part-time appointment is the sole employee of the BRA and should be resident with the right to work in Switzerland. Although the Secretary will normally […]
BRA Subscription Dues
Subscriptions are due January 2020 The different subscription rates are as follows: > Single member: CHF 65 per annum > Couple or Family living at the same address: CHF 90 per annum Payments can be made via e-banking: CH38 0900 0000 1705 5708 4 If in the past you were entitled to a reduced rate of: CHF 40 per annum for a Single member or CHF 60 per annum for a Couple living at the same address This rate still applies to you, but is no longer being applied to other Members as of 2019
Living in Switzerland – GOV.UK update
Living in Switzerland. UK Govt Update 18 Jan 2019 Attached is the latest update to the UK Embassy’s notice about Living in Switzerland. This bears reading because it has important (good) news about citizens’ rights for UK citizens living in Switzerland. There will be no change to the rights and status of UK nationals living in Switzerland while the UK remains in the EU. The UK has reached an agreement with Switzerland which protects the rights of UK and Swiss nationals who have chosen to call each otherʼs countries home. This agreement also applies in a ‘no dealʼ scenario.The Ambassador told us on Wednesday that the Embassy is working with the Swiss Government to ensure that the details of the agreement are known at canton and local level throughout Switzerland. However, in its notice, the Embassy advises actions which you can take to save yourself administrative difficulties. If you do experience local difficulty, please let myself or the Secretary know so that we can pass the message on. Graham Robertson National Chairman 18 January 2019 Living in Switzerland – GOV.UK update
Automatic Exchange of and the Swiss Voluntary Tax Programme
Swiss Taxpayers And The Automatic Exchange Of Information (AEI): The Swiss Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VD) And The Simplifed Procedure Of Tax Recovery Available To Heirs The following important information has been provided by BRA member, Peter Steimle, whose company, Steimle & Partners Consulting Sagl, is based in Lugano. Should further information be required, his office maybe contacted by e-mail at info@steimle-consulting.ch or telephone: 091 9139900. The VD procedure applies to undeclared assets and income wherever located and exempts individuals and companies from fines and criminal prosecution. The disclosure programme is also available to heirs, with the simplified procedure for the recovery of taxes on undeclared assets and income of the testator. Both VD programs represent the only concrete opportunity for Swiss taxpayers to regularize their tax situation without incurring administrative and criminal sanctions. The many political attempts to introduce a general Swiss tax amnesty have not been successful up to now. The new global standard for the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEI), relevant for tax purposes The aim of the AEI standard is to effectively combat cross-border tax evasion. At the moment more than 100 countries, including Switzerland, have in principle adhered to the introduction of this new global standard. In accordance with the Multilateral […]
OLDER NEWS
The British Embassy Berne wishes you a happy New Year!
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 UK leaves the EU, we will continue to work hard to ensure that you have the information you need about living in Switzerland after Brexit. We have summarised the most recent information and important links below. As you will be aware, a Brexit deal has been agreed in principle with the EU. Both the UK and the EU now need to approve and sign the withdrawal agreement. The intention on both sides is for this to be completed before 31 January 2020. Negotiations will then start on a new relationship between the UK and EU. There will be a transition period while this takes place. This is scheduled to last until 31 December 2020. During this period the UK will continue to follow EU law. There will be no change to the current arrangements that apply between the UK and Switzerland, and nothing will change for you in how you live your life. The UK and Switzerland have concluded seven continuity agreements, which are ready to come into force at the end of the transition period. […]
Noreen Marie Lucas
Noreen Marie Lucas 2nd May 1973 — 21st November 2019 (Noreen’s family asked me to prepare some words to say at her funeral on 27th November. Although I did not speak, here is what I would have said on your behalf.) I first met Noreen when she was manning the Welcome Desk at the 2012 Jubilee Concert in Geneva. I have a picture of a swarming, seething throng of people wanting tickets. Alone behind the desk was this calm, competent and utterly charming Irish woman, doling out their tickets with a smile and a joke, whipping them all into line, and making them happy. I was not a member of the BRA then and had only intermittent contact with Noreen for some years after. When I joined the Council, I discovered just how powerful Noreen was in running the association. She was recruited as the BRA Secretary by Joanna Koch in 2002. In Joanna’s words ”Noreen modernised the administration, worked hard on the finances, improved the Bulletin, brought in new members, and so on. Her presence and dedication with the BRA have been wonderful.” Presence and Dedication; Those 2 words sum up what Noreen’s gave to the BRA. Technically she […]
Upcoming roadshows by UK Embassy, Bern.
The UK Embassy in Bern is running another series of roadshows around Switzerland and Liechtenstein during October 2019. City Date Registration Link Facebook Live Q&A 24 September 2019, 6:00 – 7:00pm (CEST) Join here Berne 1 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here Geneva 3 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here Basel 14 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CET) Sign up here Zurich 17 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here Facebook Live Q&A 22 October 2019, 12:30 -1:30pm (CEST) Join here Bellinzona 23 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here Luzern 24 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here Vaduz 28 October 2019, 6:00 – 8:00pm (CEST) Sign up here These Q&A events will inform you about: how Brexit will affect your citizen’s rights as a UK national living in Switzerland and Liechtenstein? what steps should you take before Brexit? how you can stay informed about the latest developments? Registration for your preferred event is through the link above. Note that the actual venue will be emailed by Eventbrite shortly before the event to those registered. If you have any questions, please contact the Embassy at info.berne@fco.gov.uk, not the BRA. https://www.gov.uk/tgovernment/news/british-embassy-roadshows-in-switzerland
Update from GOV.UK – Information for UK Nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
The British Embassy in Bern will be holding another outreach event across Switzerland and Liechtenstein to up date UK nationals on Brexit and answer any questions you may have. Join in the Facebook Live Q&A on the link below. Date: 13th August 2019 Time: 18h00 – 19h00 (CET) Click here to join
Message from Ambassador Jane Owen
Dear friends, Following the decision by the European Council to extend the date the UK will leave the EU to 31 October 2019, I wanted to write to you to provide some further information on your citizens’ rights here in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The UK and Switzerland are closely connected, with around 40,000 UK nationals living in Switzerland and 2,600 British frontier workers. The movement of people and business is also significant, with 150 flights between our countries every day enabling this. We appreciate that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect the lives of UK nationals resident in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, or those planning to move here after free movement ceases to apply, but I would like to reassure you that your rights as residents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein are protected in any Brexit scenario. For now, nothing changes. The UK will remain a member of the EU until 31 October, unless the Withdrawal Agreement is passed by Parliament before then, in which case we will leave on the first day of the calendar month following that decision. We retain all of our rights and obligations as an EU member state during this time. The Prime Minister is […]
UK/Switzerland treaty on Citizens’ Rights signed 25 February 2019
On 25 February 2019, an agreement on “citizens’ rights” was signed by the governments of the United Kingdom and Switzerland. This agreement maintains continuity of rights and benefits for UK expatriates living in Switzerland whether or not there is a deal between UK and the EU. The Swiss Government is working to ensure that the details of the agreement are known at canton and local level throughout Switzerland. If you do experience local difficulty and cannot contact the Embassy, please let myself or the Secretary know so that we can pass the message on. Details of the agreement can be found at Swiss citizens’ rights agreement and Swiss Explainer. You are advised to keep up to date by monitoring the Embassy Living in Switzerland guide Graham Robertson Chairman, BRA
Message from the British Ambassador to UK nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Dear Members, If you are looking for something to read, can I suggest the message from the Ambassador in Berne? Click on the link below to open the document. All members will be pleased to see the good news below concerning their rights while residing in Switzerland as UK citizens. Graham Robertson BRA Chairman Message from the Ambassador in Berne Swiss Explainer Swiss citizens’ rights agreement
British Embassy Roadshows 2019 for UK Nationals
Invitation to the UK Nationals Roadshows 2019 The British Embassy in Berne cordially invites you to attend our Roadshows across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We will update you on how the UK’s exit from the EU will affect your citizens’ rights as a UK national living in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, what steps should you take before 29 March 2019, and how can you stay informed about the latest developments. The events will begin with an introduction and then the floor will be open for your questions. We look forward to welcoming you soon, Kind regards, The British Embassy Berne If you would like to attend one of these events, please sign up using the relevant link below. If you know any UK nationals who might be interested in attending, please share this page with them. The Venue for each event will be announced to registered attendees a few days before that event . UK Nationals Roadshow – Places & Dates Berne: Thursday, 10 January 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 Register for the event here. Lugano: Monday, 14 January 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 Register for the event here. Zug: Tuesday, 15 January 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 Register for the event here. Zurich: Thursday, 17 January 2019, 18:00 – […]
Message from UK Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Ambassador Jane Owen, has provided an update and video message about the EU exit process to UK Nationals living in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The text is below and the video can be watched on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/CPhJNulGyCQ If you have any comments or questions please contact the Embassy using the email address given below. Graham Robertson Chairman, BRA 28 August 2018. Message from UK Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Providing certainty for citizens has been a top priority for the UK government from the start of the EU exit process. In our June 2017 position paper and in many ministerial statements, including by the Prime Minister, we have been clear that we want to secure citizens’ rights agreements for UK nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, similar to that which we offered and agreed with the EU. We want to do this as soon as possible, and are pleased that this is also a priority for the Swiss and Liechtenstein governments. Importantly, in our negotiations with the EU we have agreed that the time-limited Implementation Period will mean our agreements with Switzerland and Liechtenstein will continue to apply until the end of 2020, including those protecting the rights of UK nationals in Switzerland […]
Alan Baker, new Chairman for Romandie West.
Michael Bruce, having been advised to reduce his activities, retired as Chairman of Romandie West (RW) at the AGM in May. However, having started the “project” of planning that region’s 2018 Queen’s Birthday Party, he saw it through to a successful conclusion. Many thanks are due to Michael for stepping into the gap a couple of years ago at the head of RW and for doing much to build up good relations with a large number of like-minded associations in the area. Good news is that there is no vacuum at the top of RW. We are fortunate that ALAN BAKER, a strong BRA member, has agreed to take over the helm of the region. Alan is a popular ‘activist’ in the Leman area and is known more widely in Switzerland as Vice-Chairman of the RAFA Swiss Branch and a former Royal British Legion Committee member. He was co-opted onto the BRA Council at its meeting in June and is already beavering away, planning how to help the BRA meet the challenges of remaining relevant and interesting in this busy region. We wish Alan well in his new post and I encourage all to support him and his team in […]
BRA Policy on Security of Your Personal Data
Recently the Western world has had a flurry of activity caused by the introduction of the E.U.’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with threats of €20 million fines if we all do not strictly comply with this one-size-fits-all law. Although the BRA is based in Switzerland and is regulated by the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection, we cannot ignore the GDPR if only because some members (like me) live in France. Consequently, like other organisations whether the size of Airbus or the local croquet team, we have had a look at how we handle personal information and how we will need to adapt some of our procedures. In essence, we are writing down and publishing in the form below what has been an implicit BRA privacy policy; spelling-out the means that we use to contact you; and making all of that obvious on the application form for those joining in future. If you are happy with the way BRA looks after your personal data and communicates with you, you need do nothing. If you have queries about the information about you we hold, ask Noreen or myself. If you want to restrict some or all of your personal data […]
UK Embassy Roadshows for UK Nationals
The UK Embassy has asked BRA to broadcast the following message to all of our members and their contacts. This is a chance to hear what is happening about Brexit and to make your views known. Note the need to register quickly. Calling all British Nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, The British Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Jane Owen, cordially invites you to a series of events to discuss Brexit. There will be the chance to meet the Ambassador, ask your questions about Brexit and share your thoughts on its impact on you. Here are the dates coming up: 22 February 2018: Bern 23 February 2018: Genève 07 March 2018: Basel 13 March 2018: Zürich 20 March 2018: Lugano 23 March 2018: Vaduz The events will be after work, beginning roughly at 6pm. Further details to follow soon. Please register by emailing us at info.berne@fco.gov.uk with the subject “British Nationals Roadshow”, including your full name and the event you would like to attend. Similarly, if you have specific issues or questions that you want to raise or otherwise get involved, please let us know in your email. We look forward to welcoming you at one of our Roadshows. British Embassy Berne
Message from Jane Owen, UK Ambassador, to BRA Members
Greetings to all members of the British Residents’ Association and thank you for all the work you do to keep the engine of UK/Swiss relations running smoothly, and also helping to promote Britain, our values, our strengths and our outreach here in Switzerland. Sitting here in my office and looking out of the window at Thunplatz in Bern, I can’t believe that I have now been here for just over a month. I was delighted that our Prime Minister was able to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, and had the opportunity to meet President Berset. This confirmed at the highest level our commitment to our bilateral relationship within a strong Europe as well as in the wider world. I’m grateful to so many people for the information, friendship and advice that they have offered me, including Graham Robertson your chairman. I’m looking forward to meeting more of the BRA members, and hearing about your achievements, which I know cover all aspects of our bilateral relationship, from trade and technology to culture, education, research and tourism. The UK and Switzerland have an incredibly close partnership, which is not always fully appreciated by people outside its immediate sphere of […]
New Ambassador & BRA Patron
Jane Owen replaced David Moran in the post of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein in late December 2017. On 12 January, I was fortunate to be given a meeting with her to introduce the BRA and to request that she took on the rôle of BRA Patron. She readily accepted the task and expressed a willingness to get to know UK residents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We had a good discussion on matters of concern to our members and how the BRA and the Embassy can work together to meet these concerns. After the meeting the following appeared on Ms Owen’s Twitter feed (@JaneOwenFCO . Jan 12). “Delighted to meet Graham Robertson, Chairman of the British Residents’ Association of Switzerland this morning. It’s an honour to be their patron and look forward to working together to support our large and influential community across the country.” Graham Robertson National Chairman, BRA
BREXIT UPDATE, 21 December 2017
I have received the message below from Jane Owens, the new UK Ambassador who took up her post on 18th December. Ms Owen’s aim is to let British Residents know the state of progress on their rights after Brexit. I will be meeting her at the Embassy on 12 January and will emphasize the importance of this matter to BRA. I would appreciate you letting me know of any concerns that I should bring to the notice of the Embassy. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/message-from-the-british-ambassador-to-british-citizens-living-in-switzerland-and-liechtenstein In the meantime, I would like to wish you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and fulfilling 2018. Graham Robertson National Chairman
BREXIT UPDATE, 8 December 2017
On 8th December, an agreement in principle was reached between the UK Government and the European Commission on the the first phase of the negotiations on the UK withdrawal from the E.U. Apart from matters concerning financial settlements and the Irish border, there is more detail on protection of citizens’ rights including work, social and medical benefits. The joint technical note agreed between the the two sides of the negotiations is at; https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665869/Joint_report_on_progress_during_phase_1_of_negotiations_under_Article_50_TEU_on_the_United_Kingdom_s_orderly_withdrawal_from_the_European_Union.pdf Although this is an agreement between the UK and the EU, it is likely that the provisions on citizens’ rights will also be applied by Switzerland. However, the full details will have to wait until the final settlement. Graham Robertson National Chairman
“The BRA NEEDS YOU to do your bit”
“The BRA NEEDS YOU to do your bit” At the 2017 AGM there was a discussion as to the merits of offering one year’s free membership to those members who successfully introduced a new BRA member. Your Council has decided to continue this incentive until December 2018. WE NEED NEW MEMBERS. Go out into the valleys, rolling meadows, towns, villages, and uplands of Switzerland and seek new members. The BRA will not survive without new ” blood “. Don’t rely on your Council. You must play your part too, so as to ensure that the BRA prospers for the foreseeable future. Succeed, and your 2019 annual subscription will be ZERO. Lord Kitchener in World War One said ” Your country needs you “. Similarly, the BRA needs you to do your ” bit ” so that it can survive and flourish.
Welcome to the New BRA Website
For a number of years our website has provided information to BRA members. However, its age was causing Nigel Coombs increasing effort and heartache to keep it going. Last week, an update installed by our service provider proved incompatible with our existing application and “knocked out” our website to the extent that we were unable to enter it even for maintenance. The BRA Council agreed last year to build a more modern website. Deborah Gorsatt took on the project and, aided by our Secretary, has worked hard with the consultant to develop this new site. We have decided to bring the new website on-line now to ensure that BRA members have continued access to the information they need to plan their activities. Although some parts remain under construction, we hope that you find this new site informative and easy to use. I would like to thank Nigel Coombs for the supreme effort he has put in over the years to develop and maintain the old site. Deborah, Noreen and Thierry Butikofer (our consultant) have put in many long and hard hours to develop the new site and to make good the loss of our old site; they deserve our thanks particularly […]
BREXIT UPDATE, 26 June 2017
The UK Prime Minister has announced that the British government will continue pension uprating, payment of disability benefits and healthcare cover after Brexit for British expatriates in the EU. Speaking in the House of Commons on 26 June 2017, Theresa May said: “The UK will continue to export and uprate the UK state pension and provide associated healthcare cover within the EU. We will continue to protect the export of other benefits and associated healthcare cover where the individual is in receipt of those benefits on the cut-off date”. The cut-off date refers to a date, yet to be set, between the article 50 trigger day, March 29, 2017 and the day the UK leaves the EU, which may be March 29, 2019. She added that subject to negotiation, the UK would like to continue to participate in the European Health Insurance Card scheme so UK cardholders continue having free or reduced cost healthcare on visits to the EU, and vice versa. The obligations agreed to in the EU withdrawal treaty will bind the UK as a matter of international law, she said. “We will also incorporate the commitments into UK law, guaranteeing we will stand firmly by our part […]
BREXIT UPDATE
Below is a summary of recent BREXIT-related actions and events of interest to BRA members. The BRA is not a campaigning organisation but we will continue to keep our members informed of relevant actions and events as they arise. We are fortunate in having an Ambassador whose Embassy in Bern takes an interest in supporting UK citizens living in Switzerland. Through our close relations with the Embassy, the BRA will continue to make known the concerns and views of its members to the UK authorities. 31 January. BSCC Lunch in Geneva, On 31 January , a number of BRA members took up The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce Geneva Chapter’s kind invitation to join them for lunch at the Warwick Hotel to hear Swiss Ambassador Henri Gétaz talk about BREXIT: implications for Switzerland and Swiss-EU relations. As the leader of the team in the Swiss Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to finding a satisfactory outcome to negotiations, Ambassador Gétaz explained the Swiss approach to negotiating with the UK and the EU about Brexit and the Swiss referendum on “free movement”. He described the Swiss aims as to “preserve rights and obligations based on CH-EU agreements also after Brexit and to extend relations […]