What are the latest news in Switzerland?
Politics & Government
- 13th State Pension (AHV) Debates: Following the implementation of the 13th pension payment, political debate has intensified regarding payout conditions, including proposals by political parties regarding whether Swiss citizens living abroad should remain eligible. SWI swissinfo.ch———
- Proposed Defense VAT Increase: The Federal Council approved proposals for a temporary value-added tax (VAT) increase (raising the standard rate from 8.1% to 8.6%) intended to fund higher defense spending over a multi-year period starting in 2028. -Global VAT Compliance——–
- Digital Naturalization: Cantonal migration offices and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) have transitioned to digital processing for Swiss citizenship applications via the Central Migration Information System (ZEMIS).- Bluewin———
- Short-Time Work Compensation (Kurzarbeit): The Swiss government extended the maximum eligibility period for short-time work compensation up to 24 months (through January 2027) to give companies flexibility and mitigate potential unemployment spikes. -Bluewin——–
- Telecom Adjustments: Mobile and broadband providers, including Sunrise, Yallo, and Lebara, have adjusted monthly subscription rates following similar tariff updates from Swisscom and Salt.- IamExpat.ch———
- Standardized Littering Fines: A nationwide ordinance is now in effect, standardizing penalties across cantons with fines ranging from 80 CHF for small items (such as cigarette butts) up to 250 CHF for larger volumes of improperly discarded waste. -IamExpat.ch——–
- Packaging and Food Regulations: New federal packaging rules have replaced older beverage regulations to prioritize recycling quotas and reduce non-recyclable materials.- Switzerland has also updated around 830 pesticide residue thresholds to align closely with European standards. -Bluewin+ 1——–
- International Football: The Swiss men’s national team completed their run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before falling to Argentina, while the women’s national team continues their UEFA qualifying campaigns.