Languages

Counseling of Binational Couples

A census by the Swiss Bureau of Statistics shows that every third marriage in Switzerland is between binational partners. Most likely the percentage is even higher as the numbers of Swiss nationals marrying non-Swiss citizens abroad and marriages between non-Swiss citizens within Switzerland are not accounted for in the above statistics. Due to globalisation tendencies and international migration movements of people binational marriages keep growing in numbers and are gaining in importance as a social factor.

Binational couples have to overcome a number of social, cultural and financial obstacles. In order to be able to offer advice and support to binational couples ISS works in conjunction with an organisation offering advice to binational couples: www.binational.ch. This website provides information for binational couples on such subjects as the legal situation of non-Swiss people, as far as residence and the right to work in Switzerland are concerned, and further problems such as bringing up children or a falling out between partners, etc.

Our Activities:

  • personal counseling on ISS premises
  • information and education pertinent to the legal/formal aspects of a marriage, rights and duties of the partners according to the laws of their respective countries of origin, pointing to possible discrepancies concerning the partners‘ culture, religion, language or upbringing
  • helping a couple-to-be prior to marriage, or before starting life as an unmarried couple, to make this important decision in full awareness of the situation the couple may find itself in, and to help them openly discuss all aspects that may lead to serious misunderstandings
  • diagnosis of problems arising between partners having their possible origin in different cultural backgrounds with the possibility of passing on those concerned to organisations specialised in family mediation, family counseling, family therapy, etc.
  • in cases of separation or divorce, providing information on pertinent Swiss or foreign legal aspects with a special eye on guaranteeing the well-being and rights of the couple’s children
  • networking/cooperation with additional counseling units/call centers for binational and non-Swiss couples living in Switzerland
  • legal representation of non-Swiss nationals (law on foreigners)
  • setting up and maintaining a website: www.binational.ch in conjunction with additional organisations active in the field