Recently published data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that 39% of Switzerland’s population in 2021 had a migrant background. 31% were born abroad with a different nationality and a further 8% were the children of this group. Between 2012 and 2021, this group of first and second generation foreigners in Switzerland grew by […]
Date announced for start of higher Swiss VAT
On 25 September 2022, Swiss voters voted in favour of raising the rate of VAT to pay for state pensions. On 9 December 2022, the government announced the date the new higher rates will start. From 1 January 2024, the standard rate of VAT will rise from 7.7% to 8.1% and the reduced rate will […]
Sanctions reduced for overtaking in right lane in Switzerland
Passing in the right on multiple-lane roads is illegal in Switzerland and the penalties for those caught are severe. However, confusion abounds when it comes to the application of the rule. As more cases are challenged in court the definition of what is acceptable and the penalties evolve. This week, another case concluded setting a […]
Covid: Swiss government extends free vaccinations to end of 2023
On 16 December 2022, Switzerland’s federal government extended the provision of free Covid-19 vaccinations until the end of 2023. The government said that vaccines are a key element in combating the Covid-19 pandemic and offer good protection against serious illness and hospitalisation. Therefore, Covid-19 vaccinations will be reimbursed by the federal government if they are […]
Switzerland to restrict use of electric vehicles
Switzerland’s federal government plans to restrict the use of electric vehicles if there is a serious shortage of electricity, reported RTS. Electric vehicles consume substantial amounts of electricity. An average Swiss car travels 13,500 km per year. An average electric cars consumes nearly 200 Wh/km. This means a household with two electric cars could be […]
An end-of-year meter reading could have a big impact on your electricity bill
Electricity prices are going up in Switzerland in 2023. For those expecting to consume less electricity in 2023 than in 2022, reading the meter at the end of 2022 could save you money. Most electricity bills are calculated by taking the difference between two meter readings and dividing total consumption by the number of days […]
Switzerland set to introduce stiffer penalties for noisy drivers
In 2019, noise was estimated to cost Switzerland CHF 2.8 billion, most of which (67%) was attributed to health. Around 80% of this was related to road noise. The government would like to reduce the problem and the Federal Council requested a commission look into it this week, reported RTS. The number of complaints related […]
Switzerland’s president in 2023
This week, Switzerland’s Federal Assembly elected Alain Berset as president in 2023, reported RTS. On 7 December 2022, Berset was elected when 140 out of a total of 181 valid votes were cast in his favour. Every year the Federal Assembly, which is made up of Switzerland’s parliament (National Council) and Council of States (upper […]
Swiss hospitals postponing non-urgent operations
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, […]
