Zurich will get its minimum wage at last; EU amendment changes the rules on unemployment benefits for cross-border workers in Switzerland, plus other news in our Friday roundup.
Zurich will get its minimum wage – at last
In 2023, approximately 70 percent of Zurich voters approved the introduction of a minimum wage.
However, appeals against this move had been filed by centre-right and right groups, but the Federal Court ultimately ruled in favour of the hourly wage set at 23.90 francs / hour.
The regulation will finally come into effect on January 1st, 2027, the city government announced on Thursday.
An European amendment changes the rules on unemployment benefits for cross-border workers
Switzerland and the European Union held discussions on Thursday regarding the practical implementation of the free movement of persons agreement.
Among the topics discussed :A change in the responsibilities concerning unemployed cross-border workers could result in additional costs amounting to hundreds of millions of francs.
That’s because under the reform approved by the European Parliament in July, responsibility for paying unemployment benefits to cross-border workers will no longer lie with their state of residence, but rather with the state where they last held employment.
According to federal government data, there were 413,320 cross-border workers in Switzerland in the first quarter of 2026. Estimates from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) suggest that this change could result in additional costs to Switzerland ranging from 500 to 800 million francs per year.
Prices of properties in Swiss Alps reach new heights
Over the past five years, prices for luxury properties in ski resorts have climbed by nearly 30 percent.
Gstaad, St. Moritz, and Verbier are the most expensive villages.
This is what emerges from a new study by Naef Prestige/Knight Frank real estate consultants.
In fact, prices of mountain homes rose twice as much in Switzerland as in similarly prestigious resorts in France – 29 percent versus 12 percent.
Insurance company reports a sharp rise in the cost of motor vehicle claims
The cost of motor vehicle claims in Switzerland has risen significantly over the past six years, according to a new analysis by AXA insurance.
Last year, the average cost of a collision claim at AXA was 3,450 francs compared to the 2019 average of 2,790 francs. This trend is primarily due to the high-tech, more expensive components installed in modern cars.
In all, in 2025 AXA paid out more than 220 million francs for collision claims alone.
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