Did Switzerland really vote on sausages?

The real rule

Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.

Yes, a whole country voted on night shopping, and the sausage became the symbol: under the old rule a petrol station shop could sell a Cervelat at night, which you can eat as it is, but not a Bratwurst, which you have to fry. In 2013 voters allowed shops on motorways and main roads to sell their whole range all night. For a newcomer it shows how direct democracy reaches even the details of daily life.

Why Switzerland works

The rule, explained

Before 2013, many petrol station shops had a night rule: from one to five in the morning, only food you could eat right away. Critics loved the example: a Cervelat, edible as it is, was fine; a Bratwurst, which you have to fry, was not. So the whole country voted. On 22 September 2013 the change to the Labour Act passed with 55.79 percent yes (swissvotes.ch). Since then, shops on motorway service areas and main roads with heavy travel traffic may sell their whole range all night. And the Cervelat? Its name comes from the Italian for brain sausage. There is no brain in it.

Sources: swissvotes.ch, vote 574; Duden, Zervelatwurst; swissinfo, 11 April 2026

Questions people ask

What was the Swiss Bratwurst vote?

The 22 September 2013 vote on night opening for shops on motorways and main roads, accepted with 55.8 percent.

Is there brain in a Cervelat?

No. The name comes from the Italian cervellata, brain sausage, but today's Cervelat contains no brain (swissinfo).

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