https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The Swiss parliament is getting ready to tackle the proposed taxation of foreign nationals who settle in Switzerland. The debate is likely to be both heated and contentious, so what will happen next? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260914/your-questions-answered-whats-the-plan-for-an-immigration-tax-in-switzerland Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:26:30 +0200 your-questions-answered-whats-the-plan-for-an-immigration-tax-in-switzerland The idea of taxing foreigners who settle in Switzerland is not new, but now it is gaining momentum on the political level. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260907/swiss-immigration-tax-proposal-gets-a-boost-from-the-government Mon, 07 Sep 2026 13:54:56 +0200 swiss-immigration-tax-proposal-gets-a-boost-from-the-government The ‘lump sum taxation’ is a term which ‘regular’ taxpayers in Switzerland may not even be familiar with, as it is reserved for very wealthy foreigners. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260907/what-is-switzerlands-lump-sum-taxation-on-foreigners-and-who-can-benefit-from-it Mon, 07 Sep 2026 13:51:30 +0200 what-is-switzerlands-lump-sum-taxation-on-foreigners-and-who-can-benefit-from-it Since January 1st, 2025, new rules apply to international successions. Given that they often involve real estate located in Switzerland being inherited by people abroad, the government will revise certain provisions. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260827/switzerland-to-clarify-rules-for-international-property-inheitance Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:26:12 +0200 switzerland-to-clarify-rules-for-international-property-inheitance Not everything in Switzerland is getting more expensive: the annual radio and television fee is set to become cheaper. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240620/switzerland-to-lower-the-obligatory-tv-license-fee Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:27:45 +0200 switzerland-to-lower-the-obligatory-tv-license-fee Swiss residency permits are notoriously hard to obtain for people from some countries. But there is a way to do this — here’s how. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210916/key-points-what-you-need-to-know-about-golden-visas-in-switzerland Thu, 16 Sep 2021 11:45:07 +0200 key-points-what-you-need-to-know-about-golden-visas-in-switzerland Say you want to make a financial contribution to an organisation in Switzerland you particularly like. Can you claim this donation as a tax write-off? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250612/what-kind-of-donations-can-you-deduct-from-your-swiss-taxes Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:49:16 +0200 what-kind-of-donations-can-you-deduct-from-your-swiss-taxes In March 2026, Swiss voters approved a move to allow married couples to declare their income and assets separately instead of being taxed jointly. However, it will take six years for the new law to be introduced. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260820/update-when-will-switzerlands-individual-taxation-come-into-effect Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:02:36 +0200 update-when-will-switzerlands-individual-taxation-come-into-effect In March 2026 Swiss voters approved a move to allow married couples to declare their income and assets separately instead of being taxed jointly, as has been the case until now. So how will it affect you? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260128/explained-how-would-switzerlands-planned-individual-tax-law-affect-you Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:19:43 +0100 explained-how-would-switzerlands-planned-individual-tax-law-affect-you MPs in Switzerland's lower house, the National Council, have approved a right-wing motion that would require foreign nationals residing in the country to pay a fee to contribute to the country's security costs. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260605/swiss-mps-back-a-new-security-tax-on-foreign-residents-in-switzerland Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:27:38 +0200 swiss-mps-back-a-new-security-tax-on-foreign-residents-in-switzerland In Switzerland, each canton sets its own tax rates. But how much or little you pay will also depend on the local municipality in which you live. So which towns and cities are the most (and least) tax-friendly to their residents? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250416/in-which-swiss-municipalities-do-individuals-pay-the-most-taxes Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:41:03 +0200 in-which-swiss-municipalities-do-individuals-pay-the-most-taxes Opponents of the ‘No to 10 million initiative’ are sounding yet another alarm about the potential consequences for Switzerland’s residents if the far-right bid to curb immigration passes. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260513/swiss-households-to-pay-635-francs-more-a-year-if-anti-immigration-proposal-wins Wed, 13 May 2026 16:24:16 +0200 swiss-households-to-pay-635-francs-more-a-year-if-anti-immigration-proposal-wins The cost of living in Switzerland is higher - sometimes by much - than in many other European countries. But what is the situation with taxes? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260428/do-residents-of-switzerland-pay-more-or-less-taxes-than-their-neighbours Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:11:32 +0200 do-residents-of-switzerland-pay-more-or-less-taxes-than-their-neighbours If you missed your tax deadline in Switzerland, can you ask for an extension. However, each canton has a different one. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210322/when-to-lodge-your-tax-in-switzerland-and-how-to-get-an-extension Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:06:29 +0100 when-to-lodge-your-tax-in-switzerland-and-how-to-get-an-extension March is probably not the most favourite month for Switzerland’s residents because this is when the taxman cometh. But like it or not, you should not miss the deadline for your 2025 tax declaration.. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260323/calendar-the-2026-swiss-tax-declaration-deadlines-in-each-canton Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:06:55 +0100 calendar-the-2026-swiss-tax-declaration-deadlines-in-each-canton Despite a widespread belief to the contrary, not everyone in Switzerland is rich. So why does almost everyone have to pay the wealth tax? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240208/explained-does-everyone-have-to-pay-switzerlands-wealth-tax Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:05:20 +0100 explained-does-everyone-have-to-pay-switzerlands-wealth-tax Nobody likes talking about taxes – and much less paying them. But if you live in certain Swiss communities you are likely to get some relief. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260205/where-in-switzerland-will-you-pay-the-lowest-taxes-in-2026 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:29:58 +0100 where-in-switzerland-will-you-pay-the-lowest-taxes-in-2026 Swiss cantons and municipalities have lots of rules pertaining to their residents, both human and canine. They include paying taxes. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251112/swiss-dog-tax-how-switzerland-treats-your-dog-like-a-person Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:08:53 +0100 swiss-dog-tax-how-switzerland-treats-your-dog-like-a-person People who live in Zurich, Switzerland’s most expensive city, can look forward to some financial relief in 2026 – lower tax rates. But is this really good news? https://www.thelocal.ch/20251218/zurich-announces-biggest-tax-cut-for-residents-in-20-years Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:15:38 +0100 zurich-announces-biggest-tax-cut-for-residents-in-20-years In September, voters in Switzerland approved the abolition of the imputed rental value. This means that this particular tax deduction for property owners will no longer be available, which experts believe could spark a ‘renovation boom.’ https://www.thelocal.ch/20251029/why-will-swiss-buildings-undergo-a-renovation-boom Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:20:16 +0100 why-will-swiss-buildings-undergo-a-renovation-boom