The ever increasing cost of Swiss healthcare does not translate into prompt service. Despite spending more Switzerland is suffering from a shortage of healthcare workers. And this is leading to the postponement of certain operations in some cantons, reported RTS. In French-speaking Switzerland, the hospital system is under strain. In the cantons of Fribourg, Bern, […]
Swiss cantons to get most of extra company tax money
On 12 January 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council decided to implement the minimum tax rate for companies that was agreed by the OECD and G20 member states in 2021. The 15% minimum tax, which will be applied to large companies from 1 January 2024, will generate extra tax revenue. This week, after a degree of wrangling, […]
Most searched terms in Switzerland in 2022
The most searched terms on Google in Switzerland in 2022 were “Ukraine”, “World Cup 2022” and “Wordle”, according to data published by the search engine. In fourth place was the tennis player “Novak Djoković”, followed by “Australian Open”, “Nations League”, “Jeffrey Dahmer”, a mass murderer, “Olympics 2022”, referring to the Beijing Winter Olympics, “Queen Elizabeth […]
Switzerland gets two new cabinet members
2022 brought the resignation of two members of Switzerland’s Federal Council, the nation’s seven member executive of cabinet who are elected for life. As the year comes to a close two replacements have been selected. First to resign was Ueli Maurer, Switzerland’s minister of finance, who announced his plan to step down on 30 September […]
Bern against federal plan to subsidise health insurance
A federal initiative aimed at subsidising health insurance premiums once they exceed 10% of disposable income met with resistance in Bern this week, reported RTS. The idea, which was put forward by the Socialist Party, would require the federal government to foot two thirds of the bill for the subsidy with cantons left to find […]
Goldenpass trains to run between Montreux and Interlaken for first time
Until now, it hasn’t been possible to run a single train on the scenic route from Montreux, on the shore of Lake Geneva, all the way to Interlaken on the shore of Lake Brienz. From 11 December 2022, Goldenpass trains operated by MOB, that currently only run as far as Zweisimmen, will carry passengers onwards […]
World Cup: Switzerland through to next round after beating Serbia
On 2 December 2022, Switzerland beat Serbia 3:2 to secure a place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The three goals were scored by Xherdan Shaqiri (at 20 minutes), Breel Embolo (at 44 minutes) and Remo Freuler (at 48 minutes). 35 minutes into the match Switzerland was losing by one […]
Pay rise agreed for Switzerland’s public sector workers
On 2 December 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council agreed to boost the salaries of those working for the federal government by 2.5% in 2023. Inflation, which was 3% at the end of November 2022, has fuelled demands for higher pay. During negotiations, staff representatives pushed for a pay deal that fully made up for inflation. However, […]
Swiss federal government signs off on negative budget
Negative government budgets are not the norm in Switzerland. Over the 23 years since 2000, 14 federal budgets have been positive and 9 negative. This week the federal government signed off on a negative budget for 2023 with a hole of CHF 4.8 billion in it, bringing the number of negative budgets since 2000 to […]
Switzerland’s high online purchase return rate
In Switzerland, 15.6% of purchases are made online, slightly above the European average of 15.5%, according to a survey by the delivery company DPD. However, when it comes to returning items Swiss e-shoppers are far above the European average. The most common items bought online in Switzerland are books, clothing and shoes. 49% of books, […]
