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 […]
Swiss public opinion on nuclear energy is shifting
Swiss public opinion on energy is shifting. A small majority now supports reconsidering nuclear power, though concerns about cost, speed, and supply security remain. According to a recent poll by gfs.bern for the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES), 56% of respondents say they are favourable or somewhat favourable to building new nuclear plants. It […]
Swiss interest rate cut to zero
On 19 June 2025, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 0%, effective June 20th. The Bank said the move follows a sustained decline in inflation, which turned negative in May for the first time since 2021. It also reaffirmed its readiness to intervene in currency markets if […]
Higher tax and VAT win approval in Switzerland’s upper house
Switzerland, like many rich countries, faces a pension crunch. An ageing population is putting pressure on public finances, and a recent referendum has added to the strain. In March 2024, voters approved a 13th monthly payment to recipients of the state pension scheme—equivalent to a 8.3% rise in annual payouts—due to begin next year. How […]
Swiss farmers hit back at supermarket price squeezing
A group of Swiss fruit and vegetable producers has filed a complaint with the country’s competition watchdog, accusing Coop, one of Switzerland’s two dominant supermarket chains, of abusing its market power. The farmers say that a new rebate system imposed by Coop will significantly reduce their revenues. In early April, Coop introduced what it calls […]
Swiss rent reference rate stays put
Switzerland’s benchmark mortgage reference rate, a key figure used to determine rents under existing leases, remained unchanged at 1.5% in June, according to the latest update from the Federal Housing Office (FHO), published on 2 June 2025. The rate was last cut by 25 basis points in March 2025, prompting a wave of rent reduction […]
