MPs approve imposition of an immigration tax’ on foreigners, and residents of Switzerland face higher health insurance premiums— these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
MPs approve imposition of an ‘immigration tax’ on EU nationals
Lawmakers in Switzerland have approved the idea of imposing a 4,000-franc tax on EU nationals who settle in the country.
The idea behind this move is that new immigrants benefit from Switzerland’s public infrastructure and services without having contributed to their funding, so they should pay for using it.
The Federal Council also said it favours this tax “the revenue from which would be redistributed to the population and the economy.”
READ MORE: Switzerland’s Council of States to push forward with 4,000 franc ‘immigration tax’
Residents in Switzerland face higher health insurance costs
As it does each year at this time, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has revealed the increase in the health insurance premiums that residents of Switzerland will pay in 2027.
The average rate – 5 percent – will be 0.6 percent higher than this year’s.
It will amount, on average, to 412 francs a month for the basic compulsory insurance for an adult, though premiums will vary from one cantons to another and will also depend on individual policies.
READ MORE: Swiss health insurance premiums to rise by 5 percent in 2027
Government allocates 334.5 million francs to ease integration of immigrants
Believing that more financial resources should be used for the integration of foreigners in Switzerland, the Federal Council earmarked 334.5 million francs for this purpose for the 2028–2032 period.
According to the authorities, “these funds will be used primarily for language support, information and counselling services, as well as integration into education or the labour market.”
Individual cantons will also allocate funds of their own to reach these objectives – their share will be at least equal to that of the federal contribution.
READ MORE: Switzerland to invest 334.5 million francs in help for integration of foreigners
Foreigners and Swiss students to pay the same tuition
During its deliberations about the new package of agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, deputies decided that EU students enrolled at the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne must receive the same treatment as Swiss students regarding tuition fees.
Under the terms of the agreement with Brussels, Swiss students will also benefit from equal treatment, in terms of fees, when studying in an EU country.
READ MORE: Lawmakers back equal tuition fees for Swiss and EU students at two major universities
The Council of States seeks to sanction companies that hire foreigners instead of locals
Concretely, deputies said that local applicants must be prioritised over individuals from non-EU/EFTA states.
Under the plan, employers could face sanctions if they refuse to hire a person deemed suitable by the Regional Employment Centre (ORP), offering the job instead to applicants “not considered part of the Swiss labour market.”
This category includes Swiss citizens, EU/EFTA nationals, as well as people from third countries who are already integrated into Switzerland’s labour market under the B or C permit.
READ MORE: Swiss MPs want to penalise companies which snub Switzerland-based candidates
Swiss government won’t act to lower petrol prices
Unlike other European countries, Switzerland’s federal authorities do nothing to mitigate the steadily rising fuel prices.
In fact, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Federal Council’s lack of action in this regard has a specific purpose.
“In the current context, it is essential that fuel prices reflect signals of scarcity,” SECO said. “This encourages conservation, a shift to alternatives, improved efficiency, and investment in other solutions.”
Otherwise, “the incentive for motorists to take precautionary measures would disappear, thereby weakening economic resilience,” it added.
READ MORE: Why won’t the Swiss government intervene to cut fuel prices?
