This week, Switzerland’s parliament voted to eliminate child support payments paid to pensioners, reported SRF. In Switzerland, parents typically receive payments for every child that is at school or in higher education up to a maximum age of 25. For most, the payments are connected with employment and funded out of the social security taxes […]
Church tax – should Swiss companies be forced to pay?
Individuals can opt out of church tax in most cantons. But companies rarely can, despite many having no connection with a church or a religion. The topic has been a hot political subject for a long time in Switzerland and came back under the spotlight this week when the canton of Bern discussed making it […]
Swiss vote results on higher pensions and later retirement
On 3 March 2024, Swiss voters voted on two federal initiatives on state pensions. The first asked voters whether to increase pensions by a 1/12th (8.3%), while the second asked if the official retirement age should rise slowly in line with life expectancy. With the votes in, the proposal to increase pensions by 8.3% (1/12th), known as […]
After years debate, federal government drops voting age of 16
This week, Switzerland’s federal government reached a dead end on reducing the voting age to 16. It is unlikely the idea will be discussed again for a while, reported SRF. After years if discussion, federal parliament rejected the idea. The left favoured it – younger people are more likely to lean left, while those on […]
Swiss parliament rejects tobacco advertising ban proposal
A proposal to implement the tobacco advertising ban that was accepted in a referendum by a majority voters in February 2022, was rejected by parliament this week, reported RTS. Some on the left argued it was too lax, while some on the right complained that it was too strict. The referendum wording is focused on […]
This February Switzerland’s warmest on record
This February in Switzerland was the warmest since records began in 1864, with an average temperature of 2.7 degrees, 4.6 degrees above the average recorded for the month over the last 30 years. High temperatures have been driven by strong air currents from the west, said Meteo Swiss. The next warmest Februarys were recorded quite […]
Switzerland chooses 2024 Eurovision entry
Switzerland’s entry is a rapper named Nemo performing a song titled “The Code”, reported RTS. This year’s competition takes place in May in the Swedish city of Malmo. The event will mark the 68th Eurovision competition. Nemo, the 24 year old who grew up in Bienne/Biel and now lives in Berlin, sings a song with […]
No rise in Switzerland’s rent rate this quarter
After two increases in a row the reference interest rate used for adjusting rents remains unchanged this quarter. After two rises from 1.25% to 1.75% last year, many tenants in Switzerland will be breathing a sigh of relief. Many economists forecast no increases in the rate this year. Every quarter the rate of interest used […]
Swiss farmers join European protests
Swiss farmers joined European farmers in protest this week. Using the tractor, the go-to farm protest vehicle, thousands of farmers across the country assembled in various locations and arranged their tractors to make SOS symbols, reported RTS. Like farmers across Europe, Swiss ones particularly object to the low prices they get for their produce, environmental […]
Swiss town wants to stop tandem base jumping
The town of Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, wants tandem base jump tourism stopped. The Swiss Base Association (SBA) is also against the practice, reported SRF. Base jumping, where people leap from high places and land with a parachute, was once a fringe sport. Although it is now far from mainstream, it has become increasingly […]
