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EVERYTHING THAT CHANGES

Everything that changes in Switzerland in March 2021

From easing the shutdown to filing taxes - and hopefully eating at restaurants again - this is what's happening in Switzerland in March 2021.

Published: 26 February 2021 13:28 CET
Updated: 13 March 2021 10:44 CET
Everything that changes in Switzerland in March 2021
Photo by Krivec Ales from Pexels

Partial lifting of coronavirus measures

Some of Switzerland’s Covid-19 restrictions will be eased from March 1st.

They include the re-opening of non-essential shops, museums, libraries, zoos, botanical gardens, as well as outdoor sports and leisure facilities.

The rule on meeting in groups outdoors will be relaxed from five to 15 people. But the five-person limit will be maintained for indoor gatherings.

Restaurants will be allowed to open from March 22nd onwards, provided infection rates remain low. 

READ MORE: Everything that changes in Switzerland in 2021

Financial aid for the self-employed

Self-employed workers who don’t receive support through the Federal Law on Unemployment Insurance will be able to benefit from financial aid provided for people experiencing economic difficulties due to the pandemic.

The measure enters into force on March 1st.

EXPLAINED: What changes on Switzerland’s roads in 2021? 

Swiss parliament will start the spring session

The National Council and the Council of States — the two chambers that form Switzerland’s parliament – will convene for their spring session from March 1st to March 19th.

Among topics to be debated are the law on money laundering, economic policy, protection of forests, management of health data, and cohabitation with wolves.

National referendum to be held on March 7th

Swiss voters will weigh in on controversial issues such as the ban on concealing the face (also known as the ‘burka ban’), an electronic identification law, and a free trade agreement with Indonesia.

You can see detailed explanations of each of these topics here.

READ MORE: What is at stake in Switzerland’s March 7th referendums? 

Rewind the clocks

Daylight saving time will begin at 02:00 am on Sunday March 28th, when Swiss clocks will go forward an hour. 

It will end on Sunday October 31st at at 03:00 am.

The taxman cometh!

It’s this time of the year again.

Swiss tax declarations are due on March 31st for Swiss most residents.

EXPLAINED: What changes in Swiss tax law in 2021?

A few cantons may have different deadlines.

Filing extensions are usually granted until September/November upon request.

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MEMBERSHIP EXCLUSIVES

Everything that changes in March 2020 in Germany

From new vaccine requirements to less stringent regulations for foreign workers, there are a lot of changes coming to Germany as February becomes March on Sunday.

Published: 28 February 2020 17:04 CET
Updated: 2 March 2020 10:29 CET
Everything that changes in March 2020 in Germany
Photo: DPA

Good news for non-EU workers

A new law (or ‘Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz’ in German) is intended to make it easier for skilled workers from non-EU countries to work in Germany from March 1st. Visa procedures are to be accelerated and foreigners are to have more – and better – opportunities to learn Deutsch. 

READ ALSO: How Germany is set to make it easier for non-EU workers to enter the labour market

Previous restrictions on professions with major staffing problems no longer exist – nor does the so-called priority check, which examined whether Germans or other EU citizens were also eligible for a job before giving it to a non-EU applicant.

Anyone who can speak German and is sufficiently qualified is allowed to stay in the country for up to six months to look for a job. The German government estimates that the new rules will bring an additional 25,000 skilled workers to the Bundesrepublik each year.

Archive photo shows a skilled worker in Bremen. Photo: DPA

This change carries extra baggage

German airline Eurowings is altering the rules for hand baggage. Starting on Sunday, March 1st, the airline's basic tariff will only include one piece of hand luggage measuring 55x40x23 centimetres free of charge. 

The second luggage item can be purchased for an additional fee. From March onwards, only the online check-in will be free of charge for the so-called Basic Fare; additional fees will be charged at the counter.

Sigh of relief for patients

Patients in Germany who fill regular prescriptions previously had to visit their doctors every time they wanted a renewal. But starting in March doctors will be able to issue repeat prescriptions. Patients can redeem this prescription up to three times within one year from the date of issue.

Compulsory measles vaccination

Starting on March 1st, a compulsory measles vaccination in schools and kindergartens will be enforced.

READ ALSO: Germany makes measles vaccination compulsory for children

Parents must prove their children have been vaccinated against measles before admittance. If the children are already in school or kindergarten, the proof must be submitted by July 31st, 2021. Fines of up to €2,500 may be imposed for violations.

Photo: DPA

Employees of the affected institutions are also subject to the compulsory vaccination. The new law came into being after Germany reported hundreds of measles cases over the last few years.

Increased health insurance benefit to victims of sexual violence

In future, victims of sexual violence or abuse will no longer have to pay for the securing of evidence themselves. As of March 1st, health insurance companies will cover the costs in order to improve the prosecution of perpetrators. 

Move to move doctors to the countryside

In the fight against the lack of doctors, the so-called “Landarztprämie” (country doctor premium) was introduced in Saxony-Anhalt. 

Starting in March, scholarships sponsored by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians will be used to attract more physicians to a location in the countryside. 

Banned beauty ads

Advertising for cosmetic surgery aimed primarily at young people will be banned from March 1st. Until now, such advertising was only prohibited if it applied to a target group under 14 years of age, but not for older teenagers and young adults. 

Online advertising on social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram is also affected by the new regulation. Surgeries with medical necessity, however, are exempt from the legislation.

Bavaria votes 

Municipal elections will be held in Bavaria on March 15th. Local parliaments will be elected – that is, town and district councils. In addition, there are elections for mayors in 24 independent cities such as Munich and Nuremberg, as well as elections for district administrators in 64 districts.

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