Swiss cemetery plots are not forever. High fees and time limits ensure regular plot turnover. With rising numbers of cremations some cemeteries are emptying, reported RTS. A single burial plot in a cemetery in Lausanne can only taken out for up to 30 years with the possibility of renewal for a further maximum of 30 […]
Deadly week of avalanches in Switzerland
Avalanches can be deadly. This week was a tragic reminder of just how easily they can take lives. This week two skiers were taken in a space of two days at the Verbier ski resort. On 14 March 2023, three skiers were caught in an avalanche in Verbier. According to Valais Police, the three were […]
Removal of marriage tax penalty fails to find broad party support
Married couples in Switzerland are taxed together on their combined income, something that is not applied to unmarried couples who are taxed individually. This often acts as a tax disincentive for one member of a married couple to work, disproportionately affecting women. Politicians and organisations focused on improving women’s career chances would like to see […]
Narrow majority of Swiss favour closer NATO relationship
The war in Ukraine has forced Switzerland to reflect on its neutrality. Alongside rising pessimism is a growing willingness to cooperate with international agencies. A study published this week shows that 55% would like to see greater Swiss alignment with NATO. The study, published by the Military Academy (MILAK) at ETH Zurich and the Center […]
Sharp rise is serious road accidents in Switzerland
Last year, 241 people lost their lives in a traffic accident and 4,002 people were seriously injured in Switzerland, according to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). The number of deaths was 20.5% higher than the year before and the number seriously injured was 55% higher than the previous 5-year average. The marked increase in the […]
UBS and Credit Suisse both opposed to a tie up
It’s been a tough week for share and bond owners of Switzerland’s second largest bank. Shares in Credit Suisse Group started the week at CHF 2.46 and ended the week at CHF 1.86, a fall of 24%. However, at one point they were down 37% at CHF 1.56. On 15 March 2023, the Swiss National […]
Swiss parliament passes work-related pension reforms
Switzerland’s much discussed work pension reform was accepted by parliament this week after a number of changes, reported Parlament.ch. Like Switzerland state pension, compulsory work pensions are under strain as the population ages and people live longer. This week, Switzerland’s parliament voted 113 versus 69 in favour of a package of reforms. Key reforms include […]
Earthquakes among the greatest risks facing Switzerland
On 7 March 2023, Switzerland’s federal government published its first systematic assessment of the impact of earthquakes on Switzerland’s residents, buildings and infrastructure. The work produced the first publicly accessible and most reliable earthquake risk model Switzerland has had. Statistically speaking, every person in Switzerland will experience at least one earthquake causing serious damage in […]
Home ownership now more expensive than renting in Switzerland
Buying has become much more expensive than renting in Switzerland, according to a report by the bank Credit Suisse. The market for owner-occupied homes is currently undergoing a reversal of fortunes, triggered by the spike in mortgage interest rates in 2022, said the bank. Although owners enjoyed unprecedented low mortgage rates for a decade, rates […]
Swiss rules to force removal of Matterhorn logo from Toblerone
Toblerone, the iconic Swiss chocolate brand, will soon be forced to remove the Matterhorn mountain peak logo from its branding, reported RTS. The Toblerone chocolate brand is owned by the US company Mondelez, which plans to move production of the product from Switzerland to Slovakia this year. Strict Swiss rules introduced in 2017 restrict the […]
