Swiss parliamentarians on Wednesday delayed the ratification of a double taxation treaty with the United States, as they await a comprehensive deal with Washington that could prevent future tax
evasion probes.

"/> Swiss parliamentarians on Wednesday delayed the ratification of a double taxation treaty with the United States, as they await a comprehensive deal with Washington that could prevent future tax
evasion probes.

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US-Swiss tax treaty ratification delayed

Swiss parliamentarians on Wednesday delayed the ratification of a double taxation treaty with the United States, as they await a comprehensive deal with Washington that could prevent future tax
evasion probes.

Published: 21 September 2011 17:05 CEST

Switzerland’s upper chamber voted against the draft text and sent it back to the lower chamber for reconsideration, Swiss newswire ATS said.

The upper chamber would reexamine the text in December.  

The current draft treaty allows Washington to continue filing requests to Bern for data of suspected tax cheats, even if US tax authorities do not specify the identities of suspects.

Parliamentarians are seeking more information about a more comprehensive deal that is aimed at ending the tax evasion dispute and regularising any untaxed assets held by Americans.

The deal is currently being negotiated between Bern and Washington.

Over the weekend, local press citing unnamed sources said that the deal was close to be concluded.

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TRAVEL

Travel: Germany downgrades Covid-19 risk status of USA

The United States is no longer classed as a "high incidence area" by Germany - it has returned to being a "risk area".

Published: 9 March 2021 17:50 CET
Travel: Germany downgrades Covid-19 risk status of USA
People walking in New York in May 2020. Photo: DPA

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) changed the risk classification of the United States on March 7th.

The US was previously classed as a “high incidence area” by the RKI. These are regions where the incidence is over 200 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents with a period of seven days.

However, now it’s a “risk area” – which is used by German authorities to describe a region with an increased risk of infection, usually above 50 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in seven days.

Other factors are also taken into account, such as measures in place.

It means the travel requirements for people coming from the US to Germany have changed.

However, entry from the US is only permitted in a few narrow exceptions. Proof of urgent need to travel is required, German authorities say. You can find more information in the story below.

READ MORE: When are Americans allowed to travel to Germany?

What happens if I need to travel from the US to Germany?

If you are a German resident from the US, or fall into one of the exception categories, you still face strict testing and quarantine measures.

All travellers must have a negative Covid-19 test result at the latest 48 hours after they enter Germany. It must be presented to authorities if they request it.

Some individual airlines may however still say that travellers have to present a coronavirus negative test result before boarding is allowed. You should contact your airline before travel to check.

Both PCR tests as well as rapid anitgen tests are accepted if they meet the quality standards. Testing is still mandatory even if travellers are vaccinated or have recovered from a coronavirus infection. 

People returning from “risk zones” are required to self-isolate for 10 days after they arrive.

The quarantine can usually be ended with a negative coronavirus test result taken at the earliest five days after arriving in Germany.

However, states can differ on their travel regulations so check with your local authority before travelling.

Everyone entering Germany is also required to register online.

New “high incidence areas”

In the RKI’s latest travel classification list, Sweden, Hungary and Jordan are now classed as “high incidence areas” which means stricter testing and quarantine rules apply.

Areas of “variant concern” include Austria’s Tyrol region, the UK, Brazil, Portugal and Ireland. Even stricter rules apply for these regions.

You can find out more information about travel rules in our story below.

READ MORE: What you need to know about Germany’s latest rules on foreign travel

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