Author: switzerlandtimes.ch
Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph reflecting the theme for the year, which is chosen by the new president. This year’s theme is the unique character of Swiss democracy. Photographer Arthur Gamsa took photos of people across Switzerland and used them to create a mosaic of more than 1,000 faces. This mosaic forms the backdrop of the 2025 image of Switzerland’s seven Federal Councillors, who make up the country’s executive team. To create the mosaic of faces, the photographer approached people in the street and photographed at least 40 people in each of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, collecting a…
Currently, it is impossible for individuals to legally escape their debts in Switzerland, even when they have no chance of ever paying them back. Some find themselves trapped in debt for the rest of their lives. This week, the Federal Council unveiled a new legal procedure that will offer some heavily indebted people a second chance, reported RTS. As an increasing number of people in Switzerland find themselves stuck in a debt trap, political pressure has mounted to find a solution. One study estimates that around 6% of the population have defaulted on a debt, which can be the beginning…
Last year, Switzerland sent more than 7,000 asylum seekers back to their country of origin, which is around 18% more than the year before, reported RTS. The figure was revealed by Beat Jans, the Swiss minister in charge of asylum, in conversations at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week. With a rate of nearly 60% Switzerland probably holds the European record for returning failed asylum seekers. Asked how Switzerland has achieved the high rate, Jans put forward a number of reasons. Pressure on Switzerland’s cantons to increase the number was one. Another was the hard work done…
Every year, motorists in Switzerland must pay CHF 40 francs if they want to drive on the nations federal motorways – this map shows the routes. There is a physical sticker and an electronic version. The electronic version has led to a number of unofficial online sellers, which add a fee. Those wishing to purchase an electronic vignette can avoid these fees by going to the official website. The vignette, which covers the calendar year, must be bought by the end of January. It is also valid one month in advance, so a vignette for 2025 can be bought from…
Electricity prices in Switzerland are set for a shake up. Prices paid for electricity put into the grid are falling fast in some parts of the country, reported RTS. From 2026, these prices will be adjusted every quarter, rather than once a year. This will add further uncertainty to prices and the investment case for solar panels. The changes flow from a new set of laws accepted in a referendum in June 2024. The new law will in many cases usher in lower prices for electricity injected into the grid by those with solar panels. For some this may make…
On 9 February 2025, Swiss voters will be asked to decide whether to accept the Environmental Responsibility Initiative. The initiative sets highly ambitious limits to emissions and the consumption of natural resources, defined as planetary boundaries, to be reached within 10 years. There is no detail on how these limits will be reached – see initiative text here. The Federal Council rejects the initiative, viewing it as a step too far that would bring new bans and restrictions for the economy and the population. Based on a study, the Federal Council said Switzerland would need to reduce its overall environmental…
Authorities in several Swiss cantons are gearing up for a sharp rise in the number of bankruptcies this year, possibly double the number in 2024, reported SRF. Some cantons are employing new staff to deal with the sharp rise, which is partly due to a change in the rules. Many companies on the edge of bankruptcy are kept alive by the forebearance of cantonal and municipal creditors. Unsurprisingly, the public sector is the largest creditor in Switzerland. These debts are mainly unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. A new law that came into force on 1 January 2025 requires insolvent companies…
On Monday, the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was denied entry to Switzerland because he was unable to present a valid visa, reported RTS. Forced to spend Tuesday night at Zurich airport, the well-known dissident artist took to social media. On Instagram, he said “I’m sleeping on a bench with a blanket tonight and waiting to be deported at 6:50 am next morning.” The artist was not arrested, stressed a police spokesman. He was able to move freely around the airport transit area until his return to the UK. The 67-year-old posted several photos and videos. These show that he did…
Over the years, there has been much political debate on how to limit the noise from vehicles. At the beginning of 2025 new noise rules passed by parliament in 2021 came into force. According to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) any avoidable vehicle noise is now banned. This includes additional noise from vehicle modifications and unnecessary engine revving or exhaust back-firing. Anyone now caught making avoidable vehicle noise risks fines as high as CHF 10,000. In addition, small infractions, such as leaving the motor running unnecessarily, can result in fines of CHF 80. These existed before 1 January 2025 but…
Male chicks are not wanted by egg producers because they cannot produce eggs. Until fairly recently, they were identified at birth and shredded. On 1 January 2020, shredding live chickens was banned in Switzerland. Since then, suffocating the unwanted chicks with CO2 has been a popular alternative. This week, egg industry association Gallosuisse announced that a new process is under development, reported RTS. The new process, which is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2025, involves identifying the sex of the future bird before it hatches. The process is able to detect sex by the eleventh or…