A recent political shift following cantonal elections in March 2022 has led to lower personal taxes in the canton starting in 2023, reported 20 Minutes. The canton of Vaud has one of Switzerland’s highest personal tax burdens. In 2018, a couple with two children earning CHF 150,000 paid more than three times as much tax […]
Swiss significantly underestimate scale of biodiversity crisis in Switzerland
Switzerland has the highest proportion of threatened species in the OECD, according to Pronatura. However, a clear majority of the population thinks the situation is fine, according to a survey. Switzerland has already lost the grey partridge, the torrents cricket and the linseed dodder. Next in line could be the hedgehog, the hoopoe bird (see […]
Stalkers using online licence plate database to get addresses in Switzerland
Until 4 April 2022, anyone wanting information on the owner of a vehicle in the canton of Vaud had to make a formal application to the cantonal vehicle registry and pay CHF 20. However, from that date anyone can instantly get an owner’s name and address using the free online Auto-Index system. Other Swiss cantons, […]
Switzerland looking at buying vaccine for monkeypox
With number of cases of monkeypox rising, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is looking at the possibility of buying a vaccine against the disease, reported RTS. With at least three cases the number of confirmed infections in Switzerland is low. The first infection in Bern was followed by cases in Geneva and Zurich. […]
Electricity prices set to jump next year in Switzerland
As the prices of the fossil fuels used to produce electricity across Europe rise so must the price of electricity. According to the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES), record market prices mean that a majority of electrical supply companies will have to charge their customers higher prices in 2023. A survey run by the […]
Drought risk rising in Switzerland
A lack of rainfall in Switzerland since the beginning of 2022 is becoming more and more concerning, according to Meteo News. The level of rainfall in Switzerland has been significantly below normal levels, according to meteorologist Vincent Devantay. Unusually low levels of rainfall began in August 2021 with the exception of December 2021. As a […]
Swiss government wants to close F-35 fighter jet deal before vote
This week, the Federal Council said it is considering accelerating the purchase of 36 F-35 fighter jets, expressing concern that the current deal might not be maintained beyond its 31 March 2023 expiration, reported RTS. Prices and delivery dates, currently 2027, may have to be renegotiated at less favourable terms, according to a Council of […]
Federal government aims to make Swiss childcare cheaper
Switzerland has the world’s fourth most expensive childcare according to UNICEF. The federal government is working on a package of financial subsidies costing CHF 530 million a year to reduce the cost to parents, reported RTS. A 2021 UNCEF study of childcare in rich nations ranks Switzerland as having the fourth most unaffordable childcare, a […]
Fluorescent bulbs to be banned from 2023 in Switzerland
From August 2023 it will be illegal to sell fluorescent tube bulbs in Switzerland, reported RTS. Switzerland follows the EU in banning these mercury-containing bulbs. Fluorescent tubes typically contain around four milligrams of the toxic metal, which is essential for making them work. This amount of mercury is relative small. By comparison, some older thermometers […]
Switzerland wants closer military cooperation with the US
During a five-day visit to Washington, Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s defence minister, said that the war in Ukraine shows that Switzerland must strengthen its international cooperation including its cooperation with the US, reported RTS. Serious, brutal violations of international law such as the one committed by Russia must not be tolerated, said the minister after meetings […]
