Could someone point me in the right direction? Not sure where to go to find out information.

I am a Swiss citizen living abroad for 30+ years, thinking of becoming a single parent and returning to the homeland. My 3 kids (12years old and younger) are also Swiss citizens. Husband not working and not in a position to contribute financially.

In my home country, I have been self employed, but I cannot continue this if I am overseas. Other than English, my languages are not up to scratch, will find it difficult to work, I wonder if I would be eligible for any assistance from the Swiss Govt?

I wonder about the cost of living in Switz. Thinking of living in a rural area.

Many thanks in advance

I don't want to sound too negative here, but without knowing a language other than English you are going to have a rough time here in Switzerland. Also, you will receive support from the Swiss government but I would assume that it'll be enough to make ends meet as this is an expensive place to live. What do you do for self-employment that you won't be able to do here?

I have a criminal law practice, I do mostly court work. I can speak Swiss German and German, but I don't think my German would be good enough to do a skilled job here. Do you know where I could find out about the level of financial support that I would be eligible for? Many thanks for your response

If you haven't contributed anything to the system for the last 30 years, what makes you think that you have some right to Swiss social security ?

I think you would be better advised to set up your new life where you are now - Moving three children around the world just to get away from your ex is probably not a wise thing...

I don't think the social security system here would meet your expectations (no better than Australia) and at least in Oz you have your networks, friends and possibly extended family.

On the other hand, if you can afford it, maybe take a holiday over here. If your ex gets wind of your idea to move overseas permanently you will possibly find that the children's passports become the subject of a court-order and overseas holidays are off the menu until they are old enough to be independent...at least, that's what happened in our extended family...

I've tried to find out information about this for a similar case. Basically I was told that the person in question would have to move over here for sure, then they will assess their needs and determine how much they will get from social security. How much that would be, you can only guess, but it won't be an awful lot.

Do you have any relatives here? Because the social security office will go to them first, and see if they can support you, before handing out government money.

If you hold a Swiss passport you will be eligible for social security - how much that will be, you can only find out if you make the move for sure. It's a catch 22, really. You will not be able to find a figure or an amount of money beforehand and then make a decision based on if it's worth it for you. That's not how it works.

Wow; that would be a drastic change; on your own with three kids dumping a career and severing all ties with the husband.

Perhaps you should take a holiday to Switzerland for a couple of weeks to see what it is all about and have a good think about things.
Switzerland has changed a lot in 30 years.

that is the best idea, i think- a divorce is enough for children to deal with but a major move and losing contact with their father and their friends? that's a big much for them to go thru. but i understand that you have desire to pick up and leave- i felt the same when i broke up with my ex- almost moved back to costa rica and i realized, that it was just that i needed a break, and the country change wouldn't have given me the support/life that i needed at the time.

take a break, visit, especially if you have family and give your kids as much support and stability as you can, then if you still feel like you want to move, do it with time and patience and maybe you won't need to think about help from the gov or anything like that.

all the best of luck.

Have a look at this page: Swiss emigration - Returning to Switzerland

Every Swiss national is entitled to social assitance if he/she doesn't posses the means to support him/herself. The will certainly assess your case...I didn't even live here most of my time...so I won't be a good source of referral on how much you will receive. Sincerely speaking, I still wouldn't move here if I were you. Which is your place of origin (Heimatort) in Switzerland?

Getting kids through Swiss school with different timetables, lunch times and half days at home, you'll need a good set-up with childcare and it is not cheap. To put it simply, as a single parent, I wouldn't dream of coming here - I find the school timetable really parent unfriendly and I have got my husband who gets stuck into the childcare as much as I do. Unless you plan on putting your children in full day private International education, you'll find it tough and they will too.

Do your children speak German?

As I understand it you will not qualify for government assistance since you have not contributed to the social security system.

However having said that, since you are a Swiss citizen the local community where you reside will be obliged to provide you with some financial assistance, however be warned that this will be at an absolute minimum amount, just enough to cover the very basics. And to even qualify for that you will have to show them that you have exhausted all other options - that includes selling of the non essential stuff you own as well - car, laptop, tv etc..... You will also have to accept whatever crap job they find you and pay them back the money they gave you, once you start earning above the substance level.

Check it out with the Swiss embassy in your country, just to be sure.

Good luck with that,

Jim.

Many thanks for your thoughts

Whatever you decide to do, good luck to you and your kids.

Hope it all works out