At its meeting on 27 November 2019, the Federal Council set out its plan for the refund of value-added tax (VAT) on Switzerland’s radio and television licence, formerly known as Billag. Between 2010 and 2015, VAT was charged on Swiss television and radio licences. The Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court, has stated in two judgments […]
Most Swiss prefer home grown eggs, meat and dairy
Recently published statistics suggest most Swiss prefer home grown animal products. Three quarters (75%) of those surveyed said they preferred Swiss eggs and more than half preferred Swiss meat (51%) and dairy products (59%). Reasons for preferring local animal products were to support local farmers (nearly 25%), low food miles (15%) and product quality (15%). […]
40% of over 50s in Switzerland want to work beyond retirement, suggests survey
40% of workers currently aged between 50 and 64 would like to continue working beyond retirement age, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte. Switzerland’s growing demographic imbalance is not only putting pressure on Switzerland’s social security system but also reducing its pool of labour. According to UBS, by 2030, the Swiss labour market will […]
French-speaking cantons biggest winners from next year’s fiscal transfers
The amount of money paid by “rich” cantons to “poor” ones will rise by CHF 61 million to CHF 5.3 billion in 2020, according to a recent government press release. The only French-speaking canton paying will be Geneva. All of the rest will see the sums they receive rise compared to 2019. In 2020, Geneva […]
Swiss commission supports new laws to protect whistleblowers
A commission of the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house, is in favour of new rules to protect whistleblowers. The proposed rules, which would help to protect those who expose secretive information or activity that is deemed illegal or unethical, were supported by 6 commission votes to 2 with 4 abstentions. The proposal, which would […]
Suicide doctor convicted in Geneva
Geneva-based doctor Pierre Beck, vice-president of the assisted suicide organisation Exit, who helped a 86 year old woman end her life has been convicted by a Geneva court, according to the newspaper Le Matin. The retired doctor was sentenced to a 120-day suspended sentence and a fine of CHF 2,400 for helping an 86 year […]
Raising Switzerland’s retirement age – big differences of opinion
Switzerland’s government has long discussed the importance of raising the retirement age to ensure the financial viability of the pension system. However, it is not clear whether voters would support such a plan. According to a survey by Deloitte, an accounting and consulting company, raising the official retirement age might not find majority support among […]
More than 1,000 elected officials in Switzerland paid by employers for political work
Most elected officials in Switzerland have full-time jobs outside politics and undertake their political work on a part time basis. According to research by RTS, more than 1,000 people across all levels of government (federal, cantonal and communal) get some sort of financial help from their employer, typically in the form of paid leave, to […]
The cost of democracy – what Switzerland spends on its federal government
The cost of Switzerland’s federal government, including elections and referenda, comes to CHF 233 million annually, according to a calculation by RTS. This figure can be broken down into CHF 106 million to run the Federal Assembly, made up of the 200-seat National Council (parliament) and the 46-seat Council of States (upper house), CHF 17 […]
Swiss upper house calls on executive to end marriage tax penalty
In Switzerland, some married couples pay more tax than unmarried ones, something referred to as the marriage tax penalty. The issue has been doing the rounds of the halls of Switzerland’s government for around 30 years. On 28 February 2016, a vote to change the current system was narrowly rejected by 50.8% of voters. Then […]
