Tribune de Genève. Those who work in Switzerland but live in France will soon be able to choose where they take out health insurance. In 2014, the French government made life difficult for many cross-border workers by removing the option of taking out private health insurance instead of paying into the French state health system. […]
Swiss government rejects union demands for pension increases
20 Minutes. Various Swiss unions along with the socialist and green parties have launched an initiative to increase pensions. Their plan, which demands a 10% increase in pension payments, will be put before Swiss voters in a referendum on 25 September 2016. The cost of the plan could be as high as CHF 4.1 billion. […]
More than 1,300 illegal migrants entered Switzerland in the first week of July
20 Minutes. During the first week of July, Swiss immigration officers witnessed a rise in the number of people illegally entering Switzerland. A record number of more than 1,300 people were stopped at the border in Ticino after illegally entering the country between 4 and 10 July. The majority, 665, were from Eritrea. According to […]
QE and stress tests could cause a state of emergency for some insurers
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. European insurers, whose profits are being eroded by Mario Draghi’s quantitative-easing program, face a stress-test headache that risks requiring them to set aside more capital, further hurting their ability to make money. The timing of the regulator’s “stress test couldn’t be worse as the results will be rather negative,” […]
Could foreigners be required to do Swiss military service?
Requiring foreign residents to undertake military service is one option explored in a government sponsored report published last week. The current system requires all able young male Swiss citizens to do military service. In 1985 there were around 45,000 eligible men. By 2014 this number had dropped to about 37,000. Estimates for 2035 are between 36,000 […]
10 km traffic jams predicted at Gothard tunnel
The beginning of the summer holidays got off to a slow start for those heading south via the Gotthard tunnel. On Saturday the queue at the northern end of the tunnel stretched seven kilometres according to 20 minutes. Seven kilometres is almost three quarters of the distance from central Zurich to the airport. Most holiday […]
Post-Brexit relief rally fading – Swiss quality stocks as safe haven
8 July 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The SMI is set to post moderate losses this week as the post-Brexit relief rally faded and commodities slipped. Swiss stocks outperformed key European markets as investor’s fled to quality stocks such as Nestlé, Novartis and Roche. After Swiss companies trailed their […]
Switzerland reduces CO2 emissions by 3 million tonnes
20 Minutes. Government subsidies of around CHF 260 million cut Swiss emissions by a CO2 equivalent of more than three million tonnes in 2015. The Swiss government’s “Building Programme” has two parts to it. The first subsidises improvements to building insulation. In 2015, subsidies of CHF 179 million encouraged improvements to the insulation of 3.6 […]
More than 300,000 Swiss Rail fines unpaid
Le Matin. Of the 460,000 passengers caught travelling on Swiss Rail without tickets in 2015, 80% received a fine. However despite reminders, only one in three paid up, leaving 300,000 outstanding fines for the year. This represents a loss of several tens of millions of francs for the operator. Swiss Rail spokesperson Stephan Wehrle, confirmed […]
Some question price of Swiss stocks as safe haven status awakened
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Swiss stocks, dislodged in 2015 as a haven from European volatility, have seen the status restored following Brexit — so much that some investors are balking at valuations. After trailing shares from Germany to France and Italy for most the past year, the Swiss Market Index is finding a […]
