Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

MONEY

More money for French-speaking cantons in Switzerland from 2020

The Federal Council will send more money to Switzerland’s French-speaking cantons from 2020 onwards as part of the country’s financial equalisation policies.

Published: 7 November 2019 10:32 CET

More money for French-speaking cantons in Switzerland from 2020

Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

German-speaking cantons – including the capital of Bern – will receive less federal money.

The cantons of Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Valais and Jura will be allocated a greater amount of money, while Geneva will pay less despite being the only French-speaking canton with “high resource potential”.

After contributing CHR299.8 million, Geneva will pay 274.9 million in 2020.

More for French-speaking Switzerland

Each of the following cantons is set to see an increase in what it receives. Fribourg shall receive CHF387.4 million (CHF380.6 million in 2019), Vaud CHF72.2 million (CHF65.9 million in 2019), Valais CHF759 million (against CHF730.2 million in 2019) Neuchâtel CHF237.8 million (CHF172.9 million in 2019) and Jura CHF167.5 million (CHF165.7 million in 2019).

The Swiss financial equalisation scheme has three different objectives: to assist cantons to improve their potential, to offset costs in expensive cantons and to prevent a deterioration of the financial situation in any canton.

The equalisation framework is currently being reformed, with half to target socially disadvantaged groups and the other half to go to poorer cantons from 2022 onwards.

German-speaking cantons to foot the bill

As the most economically powerful cantons, several German-speaking regions are set to pay more into the equalisation scheme – or receive less money as a result.

Bern is set to receive CHF1.1012 billion against CHF1.1870 billion in 2019, while Zurich will continue to make the greatest contribution to the scheme. The central Swiss region of Zug will continue to make the highest per capita contribution (CHF2685).

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 14.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 14.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px}

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Can I get financial help in Switzerland if I'm struggling to pay the bills?

Say you are a foreign resident in Switzerland and find yourself short of funds, and are unable to pay your monthly bills.

Can you count on your canton’s public coffers to help you out?

Much depends on your status in the country.

If you have a residency permit, have been working in Switzerland and contributing to the social security scheme, then you can receive financial assistance, in form of subsidies, from your local authority.

This is how it works

For instance, if the obligatory health insurance premiums exceed 8 percent of the household income, then you are eligible to receive this help.

However, your canton of residence will look not only at your earnings, but at any other financial assets you hold as well.

So if your income is low but you have plenty of money in the bank in the form of savings or other investments, you will not qualify.

Generally speaking, any resident who is a low earner or has a large number of children — regardless of nationality — could be eligible for subsidised premiums, though criteria, as well as amounts, vary from one canton to another.

READ ALSO : How do I apply for healthcare benefits in Switzerland?

What about housing?

Low-earners (again, regardless of nationality) are entitled to have their rents subsidised, under certain circumstances — the conditions as well as the income threshold is determined by cantonal authorities.

Generally speaking, in order to claim this help, you must prove that you live in the cheapest available housing in your area. (Needless to say, if you reside in a luxury apartment, you can’t ask for rent subsidy.)

If you don’t fulfill this particular condition, you will be told to move to cheaper accommodations before claiming any benefits.

Exceptions to this rule include situations such as a large number of minor children living in the household, which may make relocation — that is, finding a sizeable apartment at a cheaper price — unrealistic.

The amount of rent reduction will be set by the authorities.

Is any other help available?

If you can’t afford anything in Switzerland which, admittedly, is an extreme and rare situation for anyone working full-time and already receiving either health insurance or housing subsidy (or both), then your only other option is applying for welfare.

This, however, should be the absolute last resort if you want to remain in Switzerland and eventually apply for naturalisation, or even have your work permit renewed.

That’s because being on public assistance is grounds for refusal of citizenship — unless all the money is repaid in full in advance of your application.

READ ALSO: Can I still get Swiss citizenship after claiming social benefits?

What about disabilities?

This falls under the general social security scheme, so if you are working in Switzerland, then you are eligible to receive these benefits.

The only exception may be people from outside the EU /EFTA — unless your country of origin has concluded a social security agreement with Switzerland.

This link provides additional information about these countries.

If you qualify for disability (and medical records confirm this), you can apply for these benefits at the social security office of your canton.

There are some other things you should keep in mind as well:

Not all foreigners who have a residency permit can apply for financial assistance.

If you came to Switzerland on a temporary permit (L or B), then you don’t have access to any benefits.

And if you ‘bought’ your Swiss residency, you can’t resort to any public help either.

The condition of your stay in Switzerland is that you should be self-sufficient enough to live here without having to work or resort to welfare benefits.

Url copied to clipboard!