20 Minutes. A government commission has been developing a package of changes to Switzerland’s compulsory basic health insurance for the last five years. The group recently agreed on changes that would reduce the premiums paid by younger adults, who consume less health resource, and reduce the amount children pay. Part of this plan, which the commission […]
Swiss cross-border shopping declines
20 Minutes. Residents of German-speaking Switzerland appear to doing less shopping across the border, something that has also been observed in Geneva. According to the newspaper the Handelszeitung, Swiss cross-border shopping peaked in 2015 and local customs posts have seen a decline in VAT and duty collected since March. At the border in Kreuzlingen, near Lake […]
No more tax free shopping online
Important note: various Swiss media initially thought the start date for these changes was 1 January 2017. It is is fact 1 January 2018. On 18 October 2017, Switzerland’s government postponed the start date until 1 January 2019. Currently, most things ordered abroad and sent through the post to Switzerland that attract VAT of less […]
Swiss parliament allows retirement age to go to 67
Switzerland’s parliament voted today on whether the official retirement age should be allowed to rise to 67. With 106 votes for, and 90 against, the National Council approved a plan to deal with the financial challenges of providing pensions in an era with more old people who are living longer. The plan includes automatic hikes in […]
Swiss health insurance hikes announced for 2017
On 26 September 2016, the Federal Public Health Office (OFSP) announced Swiss health insurance premiums for 2017. The average increase across all cantons and insurance companies will be 4.5%, ranging from 3.5% to 7.3% depending on the canton. These figures are for standard cover for an adult with a deductible of CHF 300, including accident […]
Geneva votes to reduce tax deductions for costs of getting to work
Today, Geneva voted on whether to cap tax deductions for the costs of getting to work. The initiative was seen as a way to increase tax revenue. 57.66% of voters were in favour of the change. A map showing the districts voting yes in green, shows a possible correlation between proximity to Geneva’s centre and the chance of voting yes. Currently, […]
European mobile roaming charges to be axed. Pity the Swiss.
Yesterday the European Commission announced that EU residents should soon be able to make calls and use data without any additional charges while travelling in another EU country. Countries outside the EU, but within the European Economic Area (EEA), including Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland’s neighbour Liechtenstein, will be included in the deal. Günther H. Oettinger, […]
Ochsner Sport under the spotlight after false discount labelling claim
One of Ochsner Sport’s customers was surprised by what they found when they peeled off a discount price sticker. According to the consumer watchdog, Fédération romande des consommateurs (FRC), a customer who bought a headlamp from the Ochsner Sport store in Nyon in December 2015, discovered an old price label under the one showing the discounted […]
Swiss trains the most expensive in Europe
A study by GoEuro, compares the cost of travelling 100km by train. Switzerland led the ranking with the most costly train trips in Europe. Travelling 100km in Switzerland cost CHF 52. The study is based on the prices of 300 million domestic train journeys across Europe between April 2015 and April 2016. The price differences are significant. […]
Swiss need to retire at 67, says parliamentary commission
Le Matin. The Swiss might need to work until 67. In a report, a parliamentary commission suggests automatically raising the statutory retirement age, as part of a set of measures designed to eliminate a large pension funding shortfall brought on by an aging population and falling investment returns. The state pension system needs to find […]
