Radar glitch forces Swiss airspace to operate at 50 % capacity
UK Updates Switzerland Travel Advice: Expect French Border Delays Around G7 Summit
Switzerland to Launch Optional Biometric Identity Card on 2 November 2026
Latest News
Swiss Customs’ PASSAR Export System Suffers Partial Outage, Slowing Freight Declarations
Swiss exporters faced delays today after the PASSAR customs platform experienced a document-retrieval outage. The incident, acknowledged by both Riege Software and Swiss Customs, is slowing export clearances and prompting use of contingency procedures.
4000-franc ‘immigration tax’ gains momentum as Swiss business figures enter debate
A fresh twist in Switzerland’s controversial ‘immigration tax’ debate sees a leading businessman advocate shifting the proposed CHF 4,000 levy from migrants to their employers, raising concerns among multinationals about compliance costs and talent attraction.
Bernese Parliamentary Panel Backs Local Voting Rights for Long-Term Foreign Residents
Bern’s political-institutions committee has recommended allowing communes to grant voting rights to foreigners with long-term residency permits. While still several legislative steps away, the move signals a more inclusive approach to integrating skilled expatriates in a canton central to Switzerland’s labour market.
Swiss Private-Equity Billionaire Pushes ‘Immigration Tax’ on Foreign Hires
Partners Group co-founder Alfred Gantner told Swiss media that companies should pay up to 5 % of an EU hire’s salary for five years, with the proceeds redistributed to residents. The proposal—dubbed an “immigration tax”—could raise CHF 1.35 billion a year but would increase the cost of bringing foreign specialists into Switzerland. Although still at the idea stage, it underlines growing political pressure to curb net immigration and could translate into higher mobility budgets for multinationals.
St Gallen Supports Cutting Social Aid for Ukrainian ‘Status S’ Refugees
A St Gallen parliamentary commission backed federal plans allowing cantons to lower social-assistance rates for Ukrainian refugees holding temporary ‘Status S’. Supporters say cuts are needed to offset rising welfare costs; charities warn of poverty risks. The move could affect the 70,000-plus Ukrainians currently in Switzerland and influence employer access to this workforce.
Zurich Parliament Green-Lights International Commercial Court in English
On October 19, 2026, Zurich’s cantonal parliament approved the creation of an English-language International Commercial Court. Expected to open in 2027, the court aims to attract multinational litigation currently heard in London or Singapore, potentially increasing corporate travel and short-term assignments into Switzerland. Mobility practitioners should expect more legal-related trips and ensure compliance with Swiss short-term work and payroll rules.