Swiss retail endured a bruising first half of 2025. Sales between January and June fell by an estimated 1.9% compared with the same period last year, according to the Swiss Retail Federation, which analysed debit and credit card transactions. Physical stores bore the brunt, with revenues dropping 2.2%, while online sales eked out a modest […]
Swiss government to subsidise night train to Sweden
On 10 July 2025, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport (FOT) announced government plans to subsidise new international rail services, with priority given to a planned Basel–Copenhagen–Malmö night train. The FOT will provide CHF 10 million a year between 2025 and 2030 to promote cross-border passenger rail, especially night services, following a mandate from the federal […]
Nearly one third of Swiss struggle to cover their expenses
Swiss households remain worried about their short-term finances, squeezed by high rents, rising health-insurance premiums and job insecurity. A survey by Comparis, an online comparison service, found that more than one in four adults expect their financial situation to worsen in 2025 compared with last year. Nearly a third report struggling to cover all their […]
Special road fee to cross Switzerland demanded in parliament
Switzerland’s roads are cheap to use. A vignette costing CHF 40 francs grants unlimited access to the motorway network for a year. Switzerland’s central location and bargain road charges draw heavy traffic, particularly at Easter, Pentecost and the start of the summer holidays, when kilometre-long queues form at the Gotthard Tunnel as travellers, many from […]
New Swiss personal bankruptcy rules face parliamentary resistance
Switzerland’s Federal Council wants to give the hopelessly indebted a fresh start. Two new legal procedures would allow individuals trapped in debt to shed their debts, but centre-right parties in parliament are pushing to water down the plans, reported SRF. The first element is aimed at debtors with a regular income and would let them […]
Deadline triggers boom is oil heating in Swiss canton
Oil heating is making an unexpected comeback in the Swiss canton of Basel-Landschaft, reported SRF. Under a revised cantonal energy law that came into force in October 2024, new buildings must be equipped with low-emission heating systems. From January 2026, the same rule will apply to replacements in existing buildings, provided the system is more […]
Swiss insurers fear cost explosion from weight loss drug
Since March 2024, Switzerland’s basic health insurance started reimbursing part of the cost of Wegovy, a weight-loss drug developed by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. The decision has led to a surge in uptake—and concern among insurers, reported RTS. Roughly 40,000 people received Wegovy under Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance in 2024, according an association representing […]
Swiss inflation turns positive again
Inflation in Switzerland edged back into positive territory in June. Consumer prices rose by 0.1% year on year, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), reversing deflation of –0.1% recorded in May—the country’s first negative reading in over four years. Price growth in Switzerland has remained subdued for months. Since September 2024, inflation has stayed […]
Referendum launched against Swiss tax reform
Two weeks ago, Switzerland’s Parliament voted to end joint taxation for married couples, opting instead for individual tax assessments. The reform is designed to eliminate the so-called marriage penalty. This week, opponents struck back. A cross-party alliance—comprising the Centre Party, the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), the Evangelical People’s Party (EPP), and the Christian-conservative EDU—announced plans […]
Swiss government scales back austerity plan
This week, Switzerland’s federal government announced it was cutting its savings targets slightly amid pressure from cantons and political opposition, reported RTS. The Federal Council announced revised savings targets, lowering the total volume of planned cuts to CHF 3.1 billion by 2029—down from the CHF 3.6 billion outlined in January. The adjustments follow criticism from […]
