Tag Archives: Editor’s Choice

According to the newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, Switzerland’s federal government wants to allow Switzerland’s residents to claim for drugs bought abroad. Prices across the border are generally far lower. © Mike Clegg | Dreamstime As recently as March 2017, the government told insurers that anyone buying medicines abroad would have to pay for them out of their own pockets. Now they appear to be reconsidering. The NZZ said that drugs with expired patents cost on average 61% more in Switzerland than...

At the end of September the Swiss government announced an average nationwide health premium rise of 4% in 2018. © Pogonici | Dreamstime This government calculation is rather narrow. It only looks at the price of standard compulsory insurance, including accident cover, for an adult with a CHF 300 deductible. Price comparison site bonus.ch calculates that this policy configuration only applies to 18.3% of residents. When all available policy variations are included the average rise is 5.1%....

© Pogonici | Dreamstime - Click to enlarge At the end of September the Swiss government announced an average nationwide health premium rise of 4% in 2018. This government calculation is rather narrow. It only looks at the price of standard compulsory insurance, including accident cover, for an adult with a CHF 300 deductible. Price comparison site bonus.ch calculates that this policy configuration only applies to 18.3%...

© Blondsteve | Dreamstime As next year’s health premium bills find their way into Swiss mail or email boxes, the reality of another round of price increases starts to bite. Earlier this week, Switzerland’s Federal Council unveiled 38 measures that will be considered as part of a plan to tackle Switzerland’s rising health costs. A final plan will be presented next spring, according to 20 Minutes. A number of measures,...

As next year’s health premium bills find their way into Swiss mail or email boxes, the reality of another round of price increases starts to bite. © Blondsteve | Dreamstime Earlier this week, Switzerland’s Federal Council unveiled 38 measures that will be considered as part of a plan to tackle Switzerland’s rising health costs. A final plan will be presented next spring, according to 20 Minutes. A number of measures, such as the option of seeking treatment abroad, have already been...

64% of those surveyed in a recently published study, say they are bothered by their neighbours. Some are driven to take legal action while others pack up and leave. © Fizkes | Dreamstime Noise was the most widespread complaint. 28% complained of this. Loud conversations, noisy children, banging, loud music and parties were the most frequent noise problems. Other sources of conflict included hostility (16%), inconsiderate smoking – on balconies and in communal areas (14%), and communal laundry...

Last year Switzerland’s government announced plans to change the rules on charging VAT on imported goods. © Rido Dreamstime - Click to enlarge Currently, most things ordered abroad and sent through the post to Switzerland that attract VAT of less than CHF 5, are waived through customs free of charge. This means if you buy clothing worth less than CHF 62.50, or books worth less than CHF 200, there is no import charge –...

Last year Switzerland’s government announced plans to change the rules on charging VAT on imported goods. © Rido Dreamstime - Click to enlarge Currently, most things ordered abroad and sent through the post to Switzerland that attract VAT of less than CHF 5, are waived through customs free of charge. This means if you buy clothing worth less than CHF 62.50, or books worth less than CHF 200, there is no import charge –...

On Wednesday, the Federal Council said it will cut Switzerland’s TV-Radio tax from CHF 451 to CHF 365 annually from 2019. © Tammy Mcallister Dreamstime - Click to enlarge According to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, the cut is made possible by cost savings from simplifying the system and an increase in the numbers who will pay it – everyone will soon pay, not just those with a receiving device. At CHF 365, it will...

On Wednesday, the Federal Council said it will cut Switzerland’s TV-Radio tax from CHF 451 to CHF 365 annually from 2019. © Tammy Mcallister Dreamstime - Click to enlarge According to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, the cut is made possible by cost savings from simplifying the system and an increase in the numbers who will pay it – everyone will soon pay, not just those with a receiving device. At CHF 365, it will...