On 28 November 2021, Swiss voters will be asked to decide on three proposals, one of them is particularly contentious. Nursing Initiative The first is an initiative aimed at improving the working conditions of nurses. As the population ages the profession faces major challenges. In order to maintain high-quality nursing care a greater number of […]
Average Swiss household income reaches nearly 115,000 francs
The gross mean household income in Switzerland was CHF 114,984 (US$ 125,000) in 2019, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Overall, 40% of households in Switzerland had income over this mean while 60% brought in less. 73% of this income came from working, 23% came from pensions, welfare and household transfers such as alimony, […]
Numerous complaints filed against vote on Swiss Covid rules
On 28 November 2021, Swiss voters will cast votes on whether to reverse some of Switzerland’s Covid laws in one of the nations most divisive votes. In the run up to the referendum, numerous complaints have been filed over how it is being handled. A number of those opposed to the government’s Covid measures are […]
Covid: Vaud brings back masks in schools
On 25 November 2021, the government of the canton of Vaud announced the return of measures to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The measures include reintroducing masks at school and accelerating the rollout of booster shots. The government said that the canton is at the beginning of a new wave of infection and […]
Swiss Federal Council rejects two votes on pension reform
This week, the Federal Council rejected two very different initiatives aimed at changing the state pension system. In common with much of the developed world, Switzerland is facing a large gap between the money required to fund state pensions and the money flowing in to pay for them, a challenge driven by increasing life expectancy, […]
Switzerland’s 2022 motorway vignette unveiled
Every year Switzerland’s motorway vignette is a different colour. Next year it’s purple. Valid from 1 December 2021 until 31 January 2023, the new stickers must be displayed by anyone using Switzerland’s motorway network. The price remains the same. The motorway stickers have cost CHF 40 for 27 years. Introduced after a referendum in 1985, […]
First winter snow forecast across much of Switzerland this weekend
Snow is forecast to fall on much of Switzerland this weekend, according to various forecast services. According Swiss Meteo, snow is currently predicted to fall in Zurich, Bern and Lausanne on Friday and Saturday and in Geneva on Saturday and Sunday. While Basel is expected to get a bit on Saturday. Meteo Blue, another forecaster, […]
Swiss franc highest against Euro since July 2015
On 19 November 2021, the Euro went below 1.05 Swiss francs, the lowest it has been since July 2015. The Swiss franc is viewed as a safe haven currency and tends to rise when markets are bearish. However, this week the shift in exchange rate may have had more to do with the situation in […]
Cyber-bullying and stalking on the rise in Switzerland
Online harassment and cyberstalking are increasingly widespread in Switzerland, according to a recent survey. And the problem is no longer confined young people, reported RTS. The survey, which questioned 4,000 18-65 year olds in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland between 2 and 11 August 2021, found that the number of cases of harassment had increased […]
Deadline for changing Swiss health insurance approaching
Once a year it is possible to (easily) change your health insurance in Switzerland. To do so you must cancel your existing policy by 30 November, a date fast approaching. Deadline for annual changes is 30 NovemberInsurers must tell their members what next year’s premiums will be by 31 October. Members then have until 30 […]
