What Expatriates Should Know About Switzerland in 2024

Health Insurance Costs Increase:
- Basic health insurance in Switzerland will cost more starting January 1. The compulsory insurance will go up by 28.70 francs per month on average, making the new average monthly premium 359.50 francs. The actual cost varies based on age, canton, and insurance type. Those who didn’t update their insurance by November 30, 2023, are locked into their current deal until December 31, 2024.
Higher Electricity Bills:
- Electricity prices are set to increase by 18 percent on average from the beginning of the year. The actual rise depends on your canton and local council. If you use 4,500 kilowatt hours annually, expect an average bill of 1,446 Swiss francs.
VAT Rate Hike:
- On January 1, the standard VAT rate on goods and services in Switzerland will rise from 7.7 to 8.1 percent. The reduced rate for specific items like agricultural goods, water, food, printed and e-media, and medicine will increase from 2.5 to 2.6 percent.
Rising Rental Costs:
- Due to an increase in the reference interest rate on mortgages, rental costs for houses and apartments are expected to rise by an average of 3 percent for about half of the renting population.
Some Relief Amidst the Increases:
- While many costs are going up, mobile phone subscriptions, groceries, and certain items like furniture, bikes, and petrol are expected to become cheaper in 2024.

AHV21 Reforms:
- The AHV21 reforms, starting in January, will gradually raise the retirement age for women to 65, aligning it with men. The change will occur in four stages, beginning with women born in 1961.
New Standards for Swiss Matura Students:
- Starting from Swiss National Day (August 1), changes in the Swiss school system will require Matura recipients to have been in secondary school for at least four years before receiving the qualification. Reforms will strengthen curricula in mathematics, language of instruction, and introduce subjects like economics, law, and computer science from the 2024/25 academic year.

Tax Breaks for Electric Vehicles Scrapped:
- From 2024, tax breaks on electric vehicles will be removed, meaning electric cars will no longer be exempt from the 4 percent duty on imported vehicles.
Vehicle Efficiency Ratings Revised:
- The Swiss government will revise its energy efficiency rating system for passenger vehicles, potentially affecting vehicle tax in some cantons.
Stricter Enforcement of German Traffic Fines:
- Swiss police will collaborate with German authorities to better enforce fines on German drivers caught speeding in Switzerland, and vice versa.
Motorway Vignette 2024:
- Those using Swiss motorways need to purchase a vignette by the end of January to avoid a 200-franc fine.
Changes to Road Tests and Driving Licences:
- Starting March 1, changes include no additional eye tests for new vehicle categories, an increased age threshold for mandatory traffic medical examinations, and longer driving tests for certain categories. Blue paper driving licences will no longer be valid after October 31.
Regulations for E-Bikes:
- Fast e-bikes must have speedometers from April 1, and owners have until April 1, 2027, to retrofit existing bikes.

Referendums:
- Swiss citizens will have four chances to vote on national issues through referendums on March 3, June 9, September 22, and November 24.
Negotiations with EU Resume:
- Switzerland will restart negotiations with the European Union in 2024.
Change in Leadership:
- Viola Amherd will assume the role of President of Switzerland in 2024.