Switzerland’s tenants’ association (Asloca) has launched a popular initiative aimed at curbing what it sees as excessive rent increases, reported RTS. The move reflects growing discontent over housing affordability, particularly in urban centres, and comes amid record-low vacancy rates and sluggish construction activity. The proposal, entitled Yes to protection against abusive rents, seeks to require […]
Swiss government plan to encourage later retirement
This week, Switzerland’s Federal Council unveiled the outline of a new plan to reform Switzerland’s state pension system. The initiative stops short of raising the statutory retirement age, but aims to make early retirement less attractive, encourage work beyond the age of 65, and strengthen the system’s long-term financial sustainability, reported RTS. The primary objective […]
Swiss parliament backs new childcare allowance
This week, Switzerland’s National Council (parliament) approved a new framework for supporting childcare through an allowance scheme targeting parents with children up to the age of eight, reported RTS. While the proposal largely mirrors the version endorsed by the Council of States, notable differences remain—chiefly regarding the role of the federal government. Under the plan, […]
Swiss parliament chooses compromise on individual taxation
Switzerland moved a step closer to scrapping its so-called marriage tax penalty, a work in progress for around 25 years. This week, the National Council endorsed a compromise proposal for individual taxation, reported SRF. The reform—long sought by proponents of tax equity and gender equality—aims to align the tax system with modern household structures where […]
Swiss government favours simple majority vote on EU deal
This week, the Federal Council said it favours putting its new package of agreements with the European Union to an optional referendum, requiring only a simple majority of voters—not the double majority of both voters and cantons required in a mandatory referendum, reported RTS. The decision, announced by the Federal Council on Wednesday, now passes […]
A majority of Swiss favour of a single health insurer, according to poll
With health insurance premiums rising for the third consecutive year, Swiss voters are showing renewed interest in an old idea: replacing the country’s many competing health insurers with a single public insurer. According to a recent survey by GFS Bern, 53% of respondents support such a plan. Right now, any idea that promises to cut […]
Pensioners versus tenants: Zurich protests and Switzerland’s rental dilemma
Thousands took to the streets of Zurich recently to demand more affordable housing—and to air their frustration with an unlikely target: pension funds, reported SRF. Their complaint is not new but increasingly urgent. Switzerland’s pension funds are major players in the residential property market, owning around 44% of rental apartments nationwide—a sharp increase from just […]
Study shows link between education and Swiss oral health
Despite widespread access to dental services, pronounced disparities in oral health persist in Switzerland. These differences extend beyond hygiene habits and dental outcomes to the actual use of services, according to a recent study by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In 2022, over 70% of respondents rated the condition of their teeth and gums as […]
Upcoming vote puts Switzerland’s wealthy under the spotlight
Switzerland is a wealthy nation, but as elsewhere, wealth is not evenly distributed. According to SRF, nearly 400,000 Swiss residents have assets exceeding CHF 1 million. The richest 1% of taxpayers hold 45% of the country’s total wealth, while the bottom 62% own just 3%. The remaining 37% of taxpayers own the remaining 53%. To […]
No Swiss public transport price rises in 2026
Swiss public transport fares will remain unchanged in 2026, the umbrella organisation Alliance SwissPass announced on Wednesday. The decision, taken at its strategic council meeting on 4 April 2025, comes in response to a recent upturn in revenues. Despite ongoing financial pressures, fares will not rise when new timetables are introduced in December 2025, reported […]
