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WHAT CHANGES IN SWITZERLAND

Everything that changes in Switzerland in October 2023

Higher rents, higher health insurance premiums — and other changes you can expect in Switzerland in the month of October.

Everything that changes in Switzerland in October 2023
Swiss kids will get an autumn break from school. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

October 1st: Rents increase

From this day, about 1 million Swiss households — all those whose leases are based on the reference rate — will be hit with a 5-percent rent hike.

After the Federal Housing Administration raised reference rates to 1.50 percent from June 3rd, another hike — this time to 1.75 percent — by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was announced later that month

Why do rents go up as of October 1st?

The hike was announced in June,  but your  landlord  can only up the rent once a year — either on the specific date mentioned in the lease, or the next possible termination / notice date.

The notice period in Switzerland is typically three months, which means landlords will be able to charge the higher rate from October 2023.

READ ALSO : When can my landlord legally increase the rent? 

October 1st: Energy-saving measures to go into effect — again

Even though Switzerland has not been hit by energy shortage last winter, as many feared, the Federal Council is again calling on the population to cut energy consumption by 15 percent between October 1st and March 31st, 2024.

While it has not yet issued specific recommendations, it is likely they will be the same as those  set for this year

October 1st : Being a good driver will pay off

From: October 1st, new amendments to the road traffic law will come into force, which will be more lenient towards most drivers.

These amendments will concern in particular sanctions applicable to driving offences, the withdrawal of a probationary driving license, as well as the facilities granted to emergency services.

In the event of a minor infraction, the holder of a probationary driving license will not have their probationary period extended and their driving license will no longer be canceled.

From now on, “the probationary period will only be extended in the event of a moderately serious or serious offence, and the driving license on trial will become void if a new moderately serious or serious offence is committed during the probationary period,” the Federal Council said.

Mid-October: Restart of Covid vaccinations

With the emergence of new coronavirus variants, and the number of infections expected to increase in fall and winter, Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) will start vaccinating at-risk people in the middle of October.

This group incudes those over 65, and others “with individual health risks because of a pre-existing condition,” health authorities said.

The government ordered 1.3 million vaccine doses from each of manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer. In addition, a delivery from Novavax is also expected.

READ ALSO: Switzerland’s Covid vaccine programme to restart in autumn

Throughout October: autumn school holidays

The autumn school break in most Swiss cantons falls some time in October, and lasts either one or two weeks, depending on canton.

This calendar shows when public schools will be off, and for how long, in each canton. 

October 22nd: Federal elections

On this day, the Swiss will elect 246 members of their Federal Assembly — that is, the higher and lower chamber of the parliament.

As is the case every four years, they will be voting for candidates to the National Council (the lower house of the federal parliament) and the Council of States (the higher chamber).

The National Council  is composed of  200 people; the number of representatives sent by each canton depends on the size of its population.

The Council of States, on the other hand, represents the cantons and comprises 46 members, who, like their National Council counterparts, are also elected by the people for a four-year term.

READ ALSO: What you should know about Switzerland’s upcoming federal elections

Health insurance carriers will inform you of 2024 rates

You already know that health insurance premiums for the compulsory health insurance (KVG / LaMal) will rise again in 2024.

Although Switzerland’s president (and Health Minister) indicated they may go up by as much as 9 percent on average, the exact rates must be communicated to policyholders no later than October 31st — though you will get the letters before that date.

All those who wish to switch to a cheaper insurance in 2023 must do so by November 30th.

October 29th: Daylight Saving Time ends

A sure sign that the warm and sunny weather is over is having to wind the clocks back ahead of the coming winter. 

On Sunday, October 29th, clocks in Switzerland will be turned back one hour at 3 am.

This means sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier.

The good news is that we all get an extra hour of sleep. The bad news is that it’s going to get darker earlier in the evening. 

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WHAT CHANGES IN SWITZERLAND

Everything that changes in Switzerland in July 2024

From price hikes to disrupted train travel, this is what you can expect in Switzerland in July 2024.

Everything that changes in Switzerland in July 2024

July is a traditional holiday month in Switzerland and much of the country comes to a standstill (the same way as Italy and France do in August).

The government is also on a break, so political life slows down as well.

Additionally, a number of offices work on a reduced schedule, so it may seem that nothing at all happens in the country this month, but in fact quite a few changes, and other events, are underway:

July 1st: Legal definition of ‘rape’ is changed

The new criminal law on sexual matters, to go into force on July 1st, will introduce a new definition of sexual violence: ‘No is no.’

This is a reform of a longstanding legislation, which has a much narrower definition of what constitutes rape.

For instance, current law requires that penetration takes place and that victim shows resistance for the act to qualify as sexual violence.

Under the new rule, however, participants need to agree in words or clearly demonstrate they want to engage in sexual activity.

If this condition is not fulfilled, the act will be considered as taking place against the person’s wishes, and thus be a criminal offence.

Also, to be considered as sexual assault, the actual penetration no longer needs to occur.

July 1st: Price of Swiss milk to go up

You will have to pay 3 cents more for a litre of milk — an increase which is meant to bring some financial relief to Swiss dairy farmers.

But only the milk intended for drinking will become more expensive; the product which is used for cheese production will not be impacted by the price hike. 

July 1st: Cost of certain medications will increase

Swiss consumers pay significantly more for their medicines than those in neighbouring European countries. 

From July 1st,  inexpensive medicines whose factory price is less than, or equal to, 15 francs, will become more expensive. 

This change will affect more than half of medications currently being sold in Switzerland.

As a result of this move, “additional costs of several hundred million will be passed on to patients,” according to Intergenrika, which represents generic drug manufacturers in Switzerland. 

In a nutshell, consumers will pay slightly lower prices for medicines that were previously more expensive, but will also end up paying more  for those that are currently cheaper – like generics.

July 1st: SBB will change public announcements concerning suicides on train tracks

About 112 people throw themselves under moving trains each year in Switzerland.

When that happens, and the train stops midway, the public system announcement over loud speakers in the train and at all stations impacted by the delay, cites “personal accident” as a reason for the disruption.

Everyone knows, however, that this is a code word for suicide, and such announcements upset commuters.

For this reason, Swiss national rail company, SBB,  said that from July 1st, “personal accident” will be replaced by a more neutral “event linked to an external cause” — which will cover all disruptions, and not just suicides. 

July 7th: Assistance system in cars

Some safety-relevant assistants will soon be mandatory in Swiss cars.

In line with the EU, every newly registered vehicle in Switzerland must have certain systems from July 7th, 2024. However, there is no obligation to retrofit older vehicles.

For example, an emergency braking assistant must now be installed. This constantly monitors what is happening in front of the vehicle and automatically initiates emergency braking if an obstacle is detected. This can either avoid a collision altogether or at least reduce its severity.

In the future, cars will also support the person at the wheel when reversing. Warning sounds and/or reversing cameras should make obstacles or people behind the vehicle quickly recognisable.

More price hikes: Swisscom’s new ‘package’ to become more expensive

From July 24th, Switzerland’s largest telecom will abandon its inOne Home package, which includes the telephone, Internet and television.
It will be replaced by a new service called Basic Home. But as it offers a high speed internet of 50 Mbps instead of the current 10 Mbps, the cost of the subscription will be higher as well: it will increase from 50 francs a month right now to 59.90 francs.  

The transition to the new package will be done automatically, so anyone who doesn’t want to pay higher subscription price should notify Swisscom as soon as possible.

July travel news: international trains are likely to be unreliable

If you’re planning to go abroad by train this summer, arm yourself with patience.

The reason is the abundance of construction sites across Europe, which slow down, or disrupt altogether, the train schedule.

In Switzerland, railroad maintenance work is carried out at night in order not to disturb the daytime timetable. Some neighbouring countries, however, “have decided to completely close train lines for the duration of the works”, Swiss media reports.

As a result, train travel to and from Switzerland will be chaotic amid the summer holiday rush.

You can see were in Europe train travel will be disrupted the most:

READ ALSO: Why you should not rely on trains to and from Switzerland this summer 

Also:

Culture!

There are plenty of festivals, concerts and other events taking place all over Switzerland in July.

You can see them here:

READ ALSO: 7 unmissable events in Switzerland this July

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