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WHAT CHANGES IN SWITZERLAND

What changes in Switzerland in December 2023

From an impish creature coming to scare children, to new vignettes stickers and the election of a new minister — these are some of the changes and big events that will happen in Switzerland in December 2023.

Published: 21 November 2023 15:02 CET
Updated: 1 December 2023 08:55 CET
What changes in Switzerland in December 2023
Christmas markets abound in Switzerland in December. Photo: Pixabay

December 1st: Rents could increase

The reference mortgage rate is expected to go up again on December 1st, which would lead to further rent increases. 

This would follow a recent rent hike, after the benchmark mortgage rate increased from 1.25 to 1.50 percent in June, allowing landlords to raise rents by 3 percent in some cases.

December 1st: New motorway vignette goes on sale

You won’t actually have to use it until January 31st, 2024, but you can purchase this sticker already from December 1st.

You can either buy the physical sticker from service stations, garages, post office counters, automobile services or customs offices and affix it to your windshield, as you had done in years past, or you can purchase in in the digital form on the website of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAGZ). 

The price is still 40 francs, though the government wants to increase the price to 100 francs in the future.

READ ALSO: Could the cost of the Swiss motorway vignette rise to 100 francs?

Note that from February 1st, you could be fined 200 francs if you drive on a Swiss motorway without the sticker — either the paper one or the proof that you have bought a digital version.

December 6th: St. Nicholas Day

As in a number of other countries, kids in Switzerland will commemorate St. Nicholas (so named after Nicholas of Myra, Patron Saint of children).

This Swiss version of Santa Claus is called Samichlaus in the German-speaking part, and Saint-Nicolas in the French. He is typically dressed in bishop’s robes, wears a mitre on his head, and carries a staff.
He is accompanied by a donkey (which totes a sack filled with chocolates, peanuts, and mandarines on his back), and his helper, “Schmutzli”.

Called “Père Fouettard” in French, this evil sidekick carries a bunch of twigs for punishing naughty children.

Needless to say, this tradition started long before laws against whipping children were introduced, though Schmutzli never actually whips anyone.

But his menacing presence is supposed to be a deterrent to bad behaviour.

December 10th: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) release their 2024 timetable

As it does each year on the second Sunday of December, SBB will publish its new timetable on December 10th.

Not only will the train schedule change, but also that of the entire public transport network, so it will coincide will the trains’ arrival and departure times at all stations throughout Switzerland.

December 13th: A new member of the Federal Council to be elected

With the departure of Health Minister (and current Swiss president) Alain Berset  on December 31st, a Cabinet member will be elected by MPs on December 13th from among several who had put forth their candidacies for the posts.

This election will take place during the winter session of the parliament, which takes place from December 4th to 22nd.

The Federal Council consists of seven members, each heading a specific Ministry and representing different political parties, so that the balance of power reflects that of the parliament.

As Berset is from the Social Democratic party, potential Councillors will be chosen from this party as well.

Swiss President Alain Berset will step down in December. Photo by GEORG HOCHMUTH / APA / AFP

READ ALSO: What’s next for Switzerland after president announces resignation?

December 25th: Christmas

While Christmas Eve is not a national holiday in Switzerland, it falls on a Sunday this year, so all those who want to celebrate it, can do so.

Christmas Day is, however, a holiday everywhere in Switzerland.

December 26th, is a public holiday in Swiss-German cantons, so some people will be getting two weekdays off.

December 31st: Farewell to 2023

As this year is drawing to a close, it is a good time for retrospections and setting new goals (or maintaining same ones) for 2024.

Are you curious about what’s ahead in 2024?

While we don’t claim to have a crystal ball, you can find some answers here:

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Switzerland in 2024

Also in December :

While some Swiss ski resorts are in operation already, most will inaugurate their season during December. This link lists dates for all openings.

As for Christmas markets, which are plentiful in Switzerland throughout December, you can find out more about them here.

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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN SWITZERLAND

Everything that changes in Switzerland in June 2024

From important referendums to train and road travel disruptions, these are the events and changes that are planned in Switzerland in June 2024.

Published: 22 May 2024 11:18 CEST
Updated: 1 June 2024 08:26 CEST
Everything that changes in Switzerland in June 2024

June 1st: Switzerland strengthens its borders 

Due to the increased threat of terrorism during the European Football Championship in Germany and the Summer Olympics in France, Switzerland is ‘temporarily increasing’ controls at its borders, the Federal Council said.

Faced with these threats, the government has decided to reinforce controls at Swiss borders from June 1st until the end of the Paralympic Games, on September 8th, 2024.

June 1st: Swisscom could drop 20,000 customers

According to media reports, the country’s largest telecom operator will abandon its web hosting activity on June 1st. 

“It is suggesting that affected customers switch to one of the company’s subsidiaries: Localsearch, MTF Solutions, or Global IP Action,” 

The latter, however, requires a ‘switch’ fee of 9.50 francs .

June 4th: Fighter jets on a motorway

The A1 motorway between Avenches and Payerne in canton Vaud will be closed to ‘regular’ traffic from June 4th to 6th.

That’s because F/A-18 fighter jets will be landing on, and taking off from, this section of the highway.

The reason is that the Swiss Air Force will be testing whether in case of emergencies its fighter aircraft can also be deployed from improvised locations, such as motorways.

June 9th: National referendums

The Swiss will vote on some hot-button issues in a second round of national referendums.

Two proposals aiming to curb the cost of the obligatory health insurance (KVG / LaMal) are on the ballot.

The first one calls for capping the insurance rates at 10 percent of income, with the excess be paid for by the federal and cantonal governments.

The second provides for a ‘brake’ on health costs, which should evolve according to the economy and wages.

READ ALSO: How Switzerland’s two crucial health insurance referendums could impact you 

Also on the ballot is a proposal titled “For the freedom of physical integrity,” launched by the STOP compulsory vaccination committee of a group called Swiss Freedom Movement.

The initiative demands “protection of the body” against interference by the state — anything from vaccinations and other medical procedures to actions involving physical contact that could impact a person’s physical and mental state.

READ ALSO: What’s at stake in Switzerland’s ‘physical integrity’ referendum on June 9th? 

The fourth issue is the electricity supply.

That’s because supplying Switzerland with sufficient energy has become a challenge due to International conflicts and the restructuring of the European power grid.

Therefore, a new law sets the ground for Switzerland to rapidly produce more electricity from renewable energy sources such as water, sun, wind, and biomass. 

June 9th: Geneva to weigh in on foreigners’ voting rights

Geneva residents will go to the polls to decide on an initiative launched by the trade unions and political left, calling for foreigners who have lived in the canton for at least eight years to be able to vote and stand as candidates for political offices at the cantonal level.

Foreign nationals can already vote in Geneva on municipal level, but supporters of the initiative argue that his ‘upgrade’ to the cantonal voting rights is important, because it would enable foreigners to have more political impact.

READ ALSO: Could Geneva be first Swiss canton to grant foreign residents more voting rights? 

June 9th: International train disruption

From this day and for at least three months, the train service between Italian cities of Domodossola and Milan will be interrupted due to railway works, also disrupting travel between western Switzerland and Italy.

To make it easier for people from Switzerland to reach Italy during the peak summer travel, Swiss national rail company SBB is considering setting up direct buses from Geneva and Lausanne to Milan via the Grand Saint-Bernard tunnel.

“We are planning around three buses in each direction every day,” the company said. 

June 14th: Feminist strike

As in years past, women in Switzerland will take to the streets to highlight the gender bias that is widespread in the country, especially regarding work, wages, and childcare conditions. 

This annual event began in 2017, with women in various countries, including Switzerland, rallying for equal pay, as well as other gender and trans-gender rights.

June 15th -16th: Switzerland to host high-level conference on peace in Ukraine

The summit, to be held at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden, aims to establish a forum on ways to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

While a number of countries have already accepted an invitation from the Swiss president Viola Armherd to attend the conference, Russia said it would not be there. 

June 20th: The first day of summer

Regardless of weather, June 20th marks the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

It will last until the first day of fall, that is, September 22nd.

Throughout the month: traffic disruptions 

Avoid these roads where congestion is expected to be heavier than usual:

A1

The motorway will be closed between the junctions of Gland and Coppet for nine nights between May 27th and July 11th. 

The road will first be closed between 10 pm and 5 am between Nyon and Coppet (direction Geneva),and  then between Nyon and Coppet (direction Lausanne).

Detours will be put in place on the secondary network.

Between Yverdon-Sud and Essert-Pittet, closure is planned from May 28th to June 4th.

And also during the nights of May 30th to June 4th, the Jura roadway will be closed off towards Lausanne, between the Yverdon Sud and Essert-Pittet junctions. Here too, detours will be clearly marked.

Gotthard tunnel

In June, the Gotthard road tunnel will be closed to traffic for a total of eight nights for maintenance work .

Nighttime closures will take place from June 17th to 21st and June 24th to 28th, from 8 pm to 5 am.

The Gotthard Pass, which remained closed at Pentecost due to heavy snowfall but was recently reopened, is among the detour routes.

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