The vote is counted, next year's premiums are out, and pensions rise in January.

The week

Voters reject the neutrality and food initiatives by more than 70 percent

On 27 September the neutrality initiative won 29.85 percent and the food initiative 27.48 percent. No canton accepted either, and turnout was about 47 percent. Nothing changes for permits or daily life. In the cantons, Geneva approved free contraception and Zurich voted that care homes and hospitals must allow assisted suicide on their premises.

Source: SWI swissinfo.ch

Health insurance premiums rise 5.0 percent on average in 2027

The average monthly premium rises to CHF 412 next year, and to CHF 487.60 for adults. Increases range from 3.0 percent in Glarus to 6.6 percent in Jura. Your insurer must send you your new premium by 31 October. To change insurer or model for basic insurance, your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November; the federal comparison site is priminfo.admin.ch.

Source: Federal Office of Public Health

Vaud accepts a 12 percent cut in cantonal income and wealth tax

53.1 percent voted yes, on a turnout of 49.9 percent. The canton estimates the cost at CHF 272 million a year. According to the canton, the cut applies from 2027. Federal tax is not affected.

Source: Canton of Vaud

Pensions rise in 2027, and the pillar 3a limit goes to CHF 7,373

AHV/AVS pensions rise by about 1.59 percent from 1 January 2027: the minimum to CHF 1,280 a month and the maximum to CHF 2,560. The most you can pay into pillar 3a next year is CHF 7,373 if you have a pension fund, or CHF 36,864 if you do not. This year's limits still apply until 31 December.

Source: Federal Council

The Council of States approves the immigration levy

On 29 September the upper chamber backed a levy that would apply only under the safeguard clause of the EU agreements, and kept the part covering family members by 26 votes to 14. The National Council decides next. Nothing applies to anyone yet.

Source: The Swiss Parliament

The upper chamber wants the EU package to need the cantons too

On 30 September the Council of States voted 23 to 17 that the new agreements with the EU should need a majority of both voters and cantons, not just of voters as the government proposed. The National Council takes up the package next. The answer decides how hard it will be to pass.

Source: blue News

Inflation reaches 1.0 percent

Prices were flat in September and 1.0 percent higher than a year earlier, according to figures released on 1 October. Heating oil and fuel rose; package holidays, car rental and hotels fell.

Source: SECO

This week if you're arriving

• Your 2027 premium letter must reach you by 31 October. Compare it on priminfo.admin.ch, and if you switch, send the cancellation so it arrives by 30 November.
• The deductible (franchise) and the insurance model change your premium more than the insurer's name does. Check both before you switch.
• If you pay into pillar 3a, this year's limit runs until 31 December; next year's is higher.

City in focus: Basel

• The average 2027 premium in Basel-Stadt rises 4.5 percent to CHF 491.30 a month, well above the national average.
• Asking rents in Basel-Stadt fell 1.4 percent in August on the Homegate index, one of the larger monthly drops in the country.
• Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft are separate cantons with separate taxes and premiums. Compare both before you sign a lease.
• Three countries inside a tram ride: carry your ID and permit card when you cross, every time.

A quiet note

The premium letter is the most Swiss envelope of the year. It tells you, in a polite font, that something you did not choose will cost more. You can be annoyed for one evening. Then sit down with it for twenty minutes: the franchise, the model, the comparison site. Most people never do this and pay for it every month. Twenty minutes is a small price for a year of not wondering.