Life alterations in Switzerland, as of January 2025: an overview
New Year, New Laws: A Look at the Changes Coming to Switzerland in 2025
Say hello to a fresh wave of changes as the New Year rolls in. Here's a lowdown on what's happening.
New Face in the President's Office
Karin Keller-Sutter is stepping into the presidential role, taking charge from January 1st until the end of the year. Keller-Sutter, who is 61 and a member of the Liberal-Radical Party (PLR), has served as the councillor in charge of the Federal Department of Finance since 2023 and will continue to fulfill this role while in office as president. Prior to her tenure at the Finance department, she headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police from 2019 to 2023.
Health Insurance Premium Hikes
Expect to shell out more for healthcare in 2025. Swiss health insurance premiums are set to rise by an average of 6 percent. Some cantons will face even higher hikes, with Ticino registering a 10.5 percent increase, followed closely by Glarus (9.2) and Jura (8.9).
State and Disability Pension Boost
Good news for pensioners— state and disability pensions will see a 2.9 percent increase as of January 1st. This means the minimum pension will jump from 1,225 to 1,260 francs per month, while the maximum will rise from 2,450 to 2,520.
Facial Concealment Ban
A new law, set to be implemented from January 1st, prohibits both religious and non-religious forms of facial concealment in public spaces. Fines for non-compliance range from 100 to 1,000 francs, depending on whether the offender pays the initial penalty or refuses. However, there are some exceptions, such as airplanes, religious venues, and artistic performances.
Fighting Underage Marriages
The battle against marriages involving minors will become more rigorous from January 1st. Marriages concluded with minors abroad will no longer be recognized if one of the spouses was residing in Switzerland at the time of the marriage.
Cross-Border Shopping Adjustments
From January 1st, travelers can only import goods without paying tax worth a total of 150 francs per person per day. If the total value exceeds this amount, Swiss Value Added Tax (VAT) must be paid on the total value of the imported goods. Previously, this amount was set at 300 francs.
Laxer Rules for Health Insurance Changes
In order to offer greater flexibility, consumers will now be able to change their insurance plans throughout the year instead of being limited to November.
Climate Legislation
The Climate and Innovation Act (CIA) and the Climate Protection Ordinance (CPO) will come into effect on January 1st, after having been approved by voters in a 2023 referendum. The act enshrines Switzerland's climate objectives in national law, with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Inheritance Law Updates
New inheritance regulations will be implemented as of January 1st. These laws mainly relate to what happens when someone dies intestate (without a will) and offer increased flexibility in the distribution of assets. For dual nationals, specific rules apply as well.
Sustainable Power for Swiss Trains
All trains operated by the Swiss National Railway (SBB) will now be powered by renewable electricity as of January 1st. Most power will come from hydropower, while the remainder will be purchased from renewable energy sources within Switzerland or Europe.
Free Public Transport for Young People in Geneva
Residents of Geneva, aged 24 and under, will be able to use public transport for free as of January 1st, provided they are in training or have low income (determined by the canton).
Tax Cuts in Geneva and Lucerne
Tax rates in both Geneva and Lucerne are set to decrease, aiming to boost the purchasing power of middle-class households. The exact figures have yet to be announced.
In the realm of politics, the incoming year promises a change in leadership, with Karin Keller-Sutter of the Liberal-Radical Party (PLR) assuming the presidency on January 1st, while continuing her role as Councillor of the Federal Department of Finance.
Healthcare costs are anticipated to rise by an average of 6% nationwide, with larger increases projected in some cantons, such as Ticino, Glarus, and Jura. However, state and disability pensions will see a 2.9% increase from January 1st, lifting the minimum monthly pension to 1,260 francs and the maximum to 2,520.
A ban on facial concealment in public spaces will take effect from January 1st, with fines for non-compliance ranging from 100 to 1,000 francs depending on the offender's response to the penalty.
In an effort to protect minors, the new law, effective from January 1st, will disallow the recognition of marriages involving minors where one spouse was living in Switzerland at the time of marriage.
Cross-border shoppers will be allowed to import goods worth a total of 150 francs per person per day without paying tax, a decrease from the previous limit of 300 francs.
For enhanced consumer flexibility, alterations to health insurance can now be made throughout the year instead of being restricted to November.
The Climate and Innovation Act (CIA) and the Climate Protection Ordinance (CPO) will come into effect on January 1st, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
New inheritance regulations will be implemented as of January 1st, focusing on the distribution of assets when someone dies intestate and providing specific rules for dual nationals.
Adopting a more sustainable approach, all Swiss National Railway (SBB) trains will be powered by renewable electricity as of January 1st, primarily sourced from hydropower.
Residents of Geneva aged 24 and under will receive free public transportation from January 1st, provided they are in training or have low income as determined by the canton.
Lastly, tax rates in both Geneva and Lucerne are expected to decrease in an attempt to bolster middle-class households' purchasing power, though the exact figures have yet to be announced. Additionally, investigating the potential of renewable energy sources and environmental-science applications in finance, fintech, and the industry may become more prevalent, particularly in policy-and-legislation discussions and the general-news sector. The increasing focus on health-and-wellness, cbd, lifestyle, personal-finance, car-maintenance, electric-vehicles, and general-news could also inspire discussions surrounding the intersection of medical-conditions and chronic-diseases, as well as climate-change and chronic-kidney-disease. Such discussions could contribute to a comprehensive, well-rounded exploration of Switzerland's evolving landscape in various domains.
