There are 10 things that expats in Switzerland should be aware of in July 2023.

The citizens of Switzerland have several crucial considerations as 2023 nears its halfway point. Here are 10 crucial things to be aware of regarding July 2023, including new regulations for workers and learner drivers as well as festivals and holidays.

1. A lot of people still have time to contest rental price increases.

It was announced on June 1 that the reference interest rate would increase from 1.25% to 1.5%. As a result, even if they have a rental agreement in place, about half of those who rent a home or apartment in Switzerland will see their rent increase.

Before the new rate takes effect in October, landlords looking to increase rent must notify their tenants in June. According to the Zurich Tenants’ Association, tenants have up to 30 days after receiving notice of the increase to file an appeal. Visit our guide for more details on the reference rate increase.

2. Some jobs in Switzerland required longer, more flexible hours.

Due to new reforms implemented by the Swiss Federal Council, many employees will have the option of working more hours starting at the beginning of July. In the information and communication technology (ICT) industries, this will enable those working on “projects and time-critical orders” to put in 17 hours straight rather than 14. Also reduced from 11 to 9 hours per day will be the minimum required rest period for these workers.

Aside from that, the new regulations permit businesses in the auditing, tax advisory, and fiduciary sectors to offer new managers and specialists employment contracts that flout restrictions on Sunday work, overtime, and maximum workweeks.

3. Agreement on cross-border remote working between Switzerland and France.

The governments of Switzerland and France finally came to terms on a new agreement for cross-border employees on June 27. This agreement specifically addressed whether such employees could work from home. Given that the previous short-term agreement was set to expire at the end of July, the announcement will probably come as a relief to many cross-border employees.

By the end of 2022, 380 000 people were known to be working in Switzerland but living in France, Italy, Germany, or Austria. This is a very lucrative job given the lower cost of living in the EU, the pay gap between the EU and Switzerland, and the fact that these people pay lower Swiss taxes despite living abroad.

Due to a temporary agreement between Switzerland and its neighbours, many cross-border employees switched to working from home during the pandemic. Authorities are debating how long these employees can work from home before they must begin paying taxes in the nation where they currently reside, though COVID restrictions have been lifted. An official settlement has now ended this debate.

If a resident of Germany, Austria, or France works in Switzerland, they must pay Swiss taxes as long as they do not spend more than 40% of their working time from home. Even though the temporary agreement already reached between Switzerland and EU countries has the same terms, this one will last indefinitely.

The agreement between Switzerland and Italy has not yet been reached, and the plan still needs to be approved by the parliaments of every nation.

4. Bern’s Federal Palace welcomes visitors.

Switzerland’s national palace, the Federal Palace in Bern, will be open to the public on July 1 and 2. The free event will be jam-packed with engaging talks, lectures, concerts, and other events to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the signing of the first modern Swiss constitution.

Additionally, SBB has provided a discounted ticket so that everyone can visit the de facto capital and view the interior of the power structures.

5. Swiss learner drivers now have to abide by new regulations.

The government will start to alter many rules about learning to drive in Switzerland on July 15. A learner or driver’s license may be revoked under certain circumstances, and the majority of these changes pertain to how learners are trained, how elderly learners are vetted, and how these issues are addressed.

scenic landscapes of the northern Norwegian fjords.

6. Return of Züri Fäscht!

The biggest festival in Switzerland, Züri Fäscht, will return to Zurich’s streets from July 7 through the evening of July 9, 2023, following a customary three-year hiatus. Most of Zurich’s bustling old town and the lakeshore will be transformed into a huge fairground with rides, concert venues, and entertaining events during these days.

The majority of the city center will be off-limits to drivers for the duration of the festival, which will feature 150 food stalls, 70 fairground rides, 300 shops, and 50 music stages. Züri Fäscht is a must-see if you want to witness Switzerland’s biggest city at its most merry; however, act quickly because it won’t happen again until 2026!

7. The Montreux Jazz Festival begins.

The Montreux Jazz Festival, which will take place from June 30 to July 15, 2023, will be a city-wide celebration of music folklore. With performers like Sam Smith, Lionel Richie, Lil Nas X, Bob Dylan, Tom Odell, and Jacob Collier scheduled to appear, this year is predicted to be especially memorable.

Montreux, which was established in 1967 by Claude Nobs, has consistently attracted a star-studded talent roster, so it’s probably no surprise that it has been named the best festival in Europe for 2023.

8. From Lausanne to Marseille, a direct train service will be provided by TGV Lyria.

A new direct train service between Lausanne and the French seaside town of Marseille will be available from July 1 to July 23. The TGV Lyria-operated train departs Lausanne every morning at 7:45 am, arriving in Marseille at 12:10 pm, and departing Marseille for the return trip at 1:46 pm, arriving back in Lausanne at 6:48 pm.

To get their fix of the Mediterranean, Vaudois will need to act quickly, though, as the company intends to stop the service before the end of July unless it becomes a success. A little longer, from July 1 to August 27, the train from Geneva to Marseille will be running.

9. Summer break for schools in Switzerland.

The majority of Swiss schools will be out of the classroom in July, whereas international schools and one canton in Switzerland took a summer break at the end of June. Most school breaks will start between June 30 and July 15, staggered to prevent heavy traffic on the highways.

Despite the precautions, drivers have been warned to expect delays on the roads over the coming weekends, particularly in congested areas like the Gotthard Road Tunnel and places like the San Bernadino Pass and Zurich’s Gubrist Tunnel.

10. Holiday vacations for Swiss families involve flying.

Although many people have already lain back, sunbathed, and dove into Swiss lakes as a result of the warm weather, many families have stated that they plan to travel abroad for their summer vacations. We wish you the best of luck whether you are preparing for the trip of a lifetime abroad or a fun adventure in Switzerland.