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LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Five things to do in autumn in Switzerland

The days are growing shorter and the cuckoo clocks are on the verge of being wound back - yes, summer is officially over in Switzerland and autumn is here.

Published: 27 September 2019 14:19 CEST
Updated: 13 October 2022 10:53 CEST
The
The "Blue Lake" surrounded by larch trees is seen on a warm autumn day on October 20, 2018 above Arolla, western Switzerland. Image: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

While it’s understandable to lament the end of sunshine and the arrival of jacket weather, there’s plenty to look forward to even as the shadows lengthen. 

READ: Six brilliant ways to survive November in Switzerland 

Summer officially ended in Switzerland on September 23rd, but things have been cooling down for a while now. 

Hiking 

Hiking, wandern or bushwalking: whatever you call it, it’s better in autumn. The cooler weather means it’s not that easy to break a sweat, while there’s also less of a chance of sunburn. 

There’s an estimated 60,000 kilometres of hiking trails across Switzerland, with tracks in excellent conditions in all language regions – and indeed in pretty much every canton (Basel’s urban hiking options and walking along the Rhine are still best in autumn). 

Many of the best hikes are only a short drive away from the major cities, with some accessible by public transport. 

Hiking around a blue lagoon. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Seasonal food

Seasonal food has always been popular in Switzerland. Thanks to a range of ‘buy local’ campaigns which encourage consumers to be more aware of their food miles, the popularity of seasonal food has only increased in recent years. 

PICS: Why autumn is the best time in Switzerland 

From Bärlauch (wild garlic) to Spargel (white asparagus), the end of summer means autumn menus can spring into action. Some consider autumn to be Switzerland’s best season for food – and it’s not hard to see why.

Roasted chestnut stalls are being wheeled out across the country, while dishes like pumpkin ravioli and mushroom ragout are sure signs that autumn is here. 

White asparagus blooming in autumn. SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

From Bern to Lucerne, the markets alone are worth visiting – making autumn the season for culinary delights. 

Autumn also allows you to get away with other things you might not attempt for the rest of the year – like waking up to drink Glühwein (mulled wine). On the fourth Monday in November in Bern, check out the Zibelemarit (onion market) where the regions onion growers sell their wares. 

The market starts at 5am, where you can join the locals as they drink Glühwein and sample a range of onion-based delicacies. 

Enjoying the weather – and the view

Summer might be warmer, but autumn holds the distinction of being the clearest season of the year – with blue skies and crisp air offsetting the drop in temperature. 

There are few countries in the world with better views than Switzerland, so why not head out at a time of year when you’ve got your best chance of seeing them?

READ: Switzerland bides time on daylight savings decision

With the backdrop of the autumn leaves – as well as the possibility of wildlife like an Alpine ibex or chamois making an appearance – the autumn is the perfect time to test out everything you learned in that amateur photography course and impress/annoy your friends on Instagram. 

Festivals – and cows, lots of cows

The Swiss love a good festival and they have the tendency to hold them all year ‘round. Some of the best on the calendar however take place in autumn, as the country’s various regions celebrate the harvest in their own unique and sometimes bizarre style. 

One of our favourites takes place in mountain villages all across the country – the return of the cows. As the cows make their way down from the paddocks where they have spent the summer, locals adorn them in with special headwear made from flowers and large cowbells. 

Residents gather in the villages and towns, drinking local wine and eating cheese to celebrate the return of these true heroes. 

Photo: Caroline Bishop

Cheese holds a special place in Swiss hearts and autumn is the time when the locals will show gratitude to the cows that produce it. 

Another one of our favourites is the truffle hunt, which takes place in Bonvillars on the last weekend in October. The village holds a truffle market showcasing specialities from across the region, while restaurants will serve a variety of seasonal truffle dishes. 

Throwing sausages and smoking children: Switzerland’s five weirdest festivals

The more adventurous visitors can join the locals on a truffle hunt before returning to prepare their findings at a cooking workshop. 

For a complete rundown on Swiss autumn festivals, check out this list. 

How’s the serenity? 

The problem with summer is, of course, that everyone likes summer. Summer’s warmth can be fleeting, guilting everyone into leaving the house, heading outside – and into your way. 

An autumn dip in Lake Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Autumn offers many of the same activities – swimming, running or even just finding a place to perch – but fortunately with fewer people to wade through in order to get there.

With the year coming to a close – but not yet over – autumn is the perfect time to reflect on the year as it slips through your fingers, but while also having enough time to chase down your New Year’s resolutions before Christmas comes around. 

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MONEY

Do adult children in Switzerland have to support their parents financially?

Usually, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure their kids are well taken care of financially. But can Swiss authorities force the children to return the favour in times of need?

Published: 30 April 2024 15:31 CEST
Updated: 5 May 2024 08:14 CEST
Do adult children in Switzerland have to support their parents financially?

In most cases, once children are grown up and out of the house, they are (or at least should be) self-sufficient in terms of finances.

Parents too should breathe a sigh of relief that they are no longer obligated to pay for their children’s expenses, except perhaps for giving them some money here and there as a gift.

This is what happens in the best-case scenario.

But what if things don’t go according to this plan — for instance, if the parents find themselves in financial straits and can’t  afford to pay their bills?

Family obligations

Generally speaking, the truly needy people who don’t have enough income to pay for their basic living expenses will receive financial help from the government, in the very least in the form of the health insurance and housing subsidy.

READ ALSO: Can I get financial help in Switzerland if I’m struggling to pay the bills?

However, before doling out public money, authorities will see whether relatives should be made to help the struggling individuals pay their bills.

(In this context, ‘relatives’ means only those in the direct line of descent: grandparents, parents, and children.)

They will do it by checking the tax status of these relatives — how much they earn and what other financial assets they have — to determine whether, and how much, they should be paying toward their parents’ expenses.

Obviously, you will be expected to pay up only if your own financial situation allows it; you will not be forced to part with your money if you have very little of it yourself.

 ‘Favourable financial circumstaces’

Based on a Federal Court ruling, if the adult child  lives in ‘favourable financial circumstances’ they are required to help out their struggling parents.

The Court defined ‘favourable financial circumstances’ as income and assets allowing a comfortable life.

‘Comfortable life’, in turn, was defined by the Swiss Conference for Social Welfare (SKOS), as a taxable annual income of 120,000 francs for a single person, and 180,000 francs for married couples.

“If you have minors in your household, the limit is increased by 20,000 francs per child,” according to AXA insurance.

It goes on to say that you can deduct an exempt amount from your taxable assets.

“Your annual depletion of assets is deducted from the remaining amount. This means that if you are obligated to provide financial support, you are permitted to use part of your assets yourself each year; you don’t have to devote your entire assets to providing support.”

At between 18 and 30 years of age, this is 1/60th per year; from 31 to 40, 1/50th per year; 41 to 50, 1/40th per year; 51 to 60, 1/30th per year; and from the age of 61,1/20th per year. 

Are there any exemptions to these rules?

Aside from not having sufficient funds, you could be exempted from paying if, say, your parents, or parent, have not lived up to their own financial obligations toward you.

In Switzerland, parents are required to  provide financially for their children until the age of majority, and even beyond that if they are still studying or undergoing vocational training — typically, until the mid-20s.

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