Price of diesel is record high in Switzerland, and the amount of average 13th pension has been revealed — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on on everything in this weekly roundup.
The average 13th pension will amount to 1,580 francs
The Federal Office of Social Insurance (OFAS) has announced that the average 13th pension paid to retirees in Switzerland for the first time in December 2026 will amount to 1,580 francs.
In reality, retirees will receive their regular monthly amount as the 13th payment.
There are, however, nuances. For instance, the actual payout will vary depending on the marital status of the beneficiaries, as well as their place of residence – with people living abroad receiving a below-average amount.
READ MORE: Switzerland reveals the average amount of the long-awaited 13-month pension
Traces of rubber found in Swiss milk
Scientists at the Federal Polytechnic Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), working on behalf of the Federal Food Safety Office, have identified rubber-derived chemical substances in Swiss raw milk.
The analysis revealed the presence of four such chemicals.
According to the EPFL, “As dairy farms are often located near roads, chemical compounds derived from rubber can end up in milk, thereby potentially exposing consumers to these substances.”
READ MORE: Is Swiss milk safe to drink… or full of rubber?
Could Switzerland experience flu vaccine shortage?
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) confirmed the delays in the delivery of certain batches of flu vaccines, pointing out that about 40 percent of the doses ordered by the government will be supplied later than they usually are.
However, there will be enough doses for people at risk to be immunised as a priority, with the remaining batches arriving later.
READ MORE: Will delays mean Switzerland lacks enough flu vaccines this winter?
Could foreign airlines be allowed to operate domestic routes in Switzerland?
Only one domestic flight is currently in operation in Switzerland – the one connecting international hubs of Zurich and Geneva, which is operated by SWISS only. But some legislators want to open more routes to foreign carriers as well.
Under the legislative changes approved by the Council of States on September 16th, airlines headquartered in the European Union or EFTA (Norway and Iceland), would be allowed to offer flights within Switzerland.
While the measure could also extend to the route between Geneva and Zurich, the debate is focused on the one between Geneva and Lugano, a journey that takes around five hours by train.
READ MORE: Switzerland could allow foreign airlines to run domestic routes
Switzerland spells out its priorities for 2027
During the opening of the autumn session of the Swiss parliament this week, President Guy Parmelin presented four goals the government has set for the country for next year.
As it does annually in the fall, the Federal Council has set “concrete and quantifiable objectives” for 2027 as well.
The range from national cohesion to the environment and of course prosperity.
READ MORE: Prosperity and cohesion: Switzerland spells out its priorities for 2027
