Switzerland’s elaborate fiscal equalisation system rarely attracts much public attention. Yet the latest figures from the federal finance administration suggest the country’s regional divides are widening faster than Bern had expected. On June 9th the federal government announced that equalisation payments to the cantons would rise sharply in 2027, climbing by CHF 527m ($640m) to […]
Switzerland to allow personal bankruptcy
Overindebted people in Switzerland will soon be able to wipe out their debts by declaring bankruptcy. Parliament has approved a government-backed reform aimed at breaking the cycle of indebtedness, after the lower house resolved the final disagreements on Thursday, reported RTS. Under the new rules, the heavily indebted will be eligible to have their debts […]
Swiss parliament chooses VAT rise to fund extra pension payment
Two years after Swiss voters approved the introduction of a 13th monthly state pension payment, parliament remains divided over how to finance it. The debate has further sharpened concerns about the unsustainability of Switzerland’s pay-as-you-go pension system as the population ages. Left-wing parties accuse conservative and liberal politicians of trying to use the funding debate […]
Swiss premiums to rise next year, says health office
Swiss health-insurance premiums are likely to rise by around 5% in 2027, reflecting persistent growth in healthcare spending, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) warned on Tuesday. Officials nevertheless cautioned that forecasts remain uncertain. Premiums for 2026 do not fully cover expected costs, Philipp Muri, head of insurance supervision at the FOPH told RTS. […]
Swiss nuclear plants could run for a further 80 years
Switzerland’s existing nuclear power plants could remain in operation for up to 80 years, according to a new report by the federal government, which argues that long-term operation is both technically feasible and economically viable. A memorandum from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy had already concluded in 2024 that extending the lifespan of Swiss […]
Rise in Swiss health insurance set to moderate in 2027
Swiss basic health-insurance premiums are expected to rise by an average of 3.7% in 2027, according to forecasts by Comparis. After a 4.4% increase in 2026, costs are set to keep climbing, says Felix Schneuwly, the company’s health-insurance expert. Global economic conditions remain a key risk. “Premiums depend not only on the cost of insured […]
Switzerland plans tougher penalties for bicycle theft
The Swiss government wants to crack down on bicycle theft by tightening penalties for offenders who claim they only intended to use stolen bikes temporarily, reported SRF. The Federal Council has backed a proposal by Lukas Reimann of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) aimed at strengthening punishments for the so-called “theft for use” offence under […]
Swiss doctors accused of demanding cash payments before surgery
Some Swiss doctors are demanding thousands of francs in cash from patients before operations, sometimes without providing receipts or clearly explaining the charges, according to an investigation by SRF. Patient advocates say the practice is becoming increasingly common and may in some cases breach Swiss healthcare rules. The Zurich Patient Centre says it has documented […]
Swiss wages surge ahead of inflation
Nominal wages in Switzerland rose rise by an average of 1.8% in 2025, with real wages increasing by 1.6%. Swiss purchasing power therefore grew for a second consecutive year. Wage growth picked up noticeably in 2025 and, for the first time in years, more was retained in real terms as inflation remained subdued. According to […]
Few Swiss tenants claim rent cuts after rate drops
Few Swiss tenants are asking for lower rent, despite a fall in the mortgage reference rate that entitles many to a reduction. A study by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) finds that although nearly half of tenants could have benefited from the most recent cut, only about 12% actually did so. In the canton of Zurich, where […]
