What is changing in 2025: health insurance, travel and pensions
The year 2025 will bring various changes for people in Switzerland – from the 3G network to the customs allowance. Comparis explains.
12.12.2024
iStock: assalve / Jetlinerimages / ArtistGNDphotography / Gaschwald
1. New in 2025: what you need to know
2025 will bring the following changes (among others):
The customs allowance for imports into Switzerland is decreasing.
The prices of electricity are expected to fall..
Health insurance companies may only carry out debt enforcement actions against policyholders twice a year.
Those insured in the standard model with an optional deductible can change health insurance model during the year.
End of discrimination in blood donation
Extension of the ban on avoidable vehicle noise
Stricter requirements for entry into the UK
National airlines are raising the price of flights
New SBB timetable for western Switzerland
Discontinuation of the 3G network
SRG radio will only be available via DAB+
The pension limits are increasing.
It will be possible to make retrospective contributions into pillar 3a.
Social benefits will be increased.
New regulation for mortgage financing
2. How will the consumer market change?
Customs allowance when travelling
From 2025, you may only import personal purchases into Switzerland for a total value of up to 150 francs per person per day. Until the end of 2024, the limit is 300 francs.
If you want to import more, you must pay the customs duties for the goods as well as Swiss VAT. This is usually possible with the Quickzoll app. However, there are goods that you must declare at a staffed border crossing.
Falling electricity prices
In 2025, electricity prices are expected to fall by an average of 10%. But electricity will still be more expensive than it was three years ago.
Tobacco tax increase
The Federal Council is increasing the tobacco tax for certain products. Overall, the increase is moderate. The upper limit of the tax is not reached for many products.
| Tobacco product | Old tax rate | New tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cigars and cigarillos | 0.56 centimes per piece plus 1% of the retail price | 0.76 centimes per piece plus 1% of the retail price |
| Fine-cut tobacco and hookah tobacco |
|
|
| Other tobacco products |
|
|
Source (not available in English): Tobacco Tax Act, Annexes 2 to 4
3. How is health insurance changing?
Maximum of two debt enforcement actions per year
From 1 January 2025, health insurers will be able to carry out debt enforcement actions against policyholders no more than twice per year. From 1 July 2025, health insurers can assign the loss certificates for unpaid premiums and out-of-pocket expenses to the cantons.
A loss certificate represents unpaid monetary claims. It is issued when:
the indebted person was unable to pay the debts despite attachment.
the indebted person files for personal bankruptcy.
The owner of the loss certificate (“creditor”) may claim the outstanding monetary claims. The debts expire after 20 years at the earliest. There is no interest on the debt. Loss certificates are recorded in the debt enforcement register.
In many cases, creditors can assign the claims to others. There are two types of assignment:
Complete assignment: the new person assumes all rights and responsibilities and can claim the debt.
Procedural assignment: the new person only takes care of collecting the debt, but the money still belongs to the original creditor. The new person may first deduct their costs before passing on the rest.
Changing health insurance during the year
From 2025, people who have the standard model with a franchise of more than 300 francs can also switch to an alternative insurance model during the year. It is still not possible to switch to a different health insurer or from an alternative insurance model to a different one during the year.
Good to know: with the standard model and the lowest deductible, you have the option to change your health insurance with effect from 1 July.
Rising health insurance premiums
Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 6% in 2025 compared to 2024. The exact increase for you depends on:
Health insurance
Place of residence
Insurance model
Digitalization of healthcare
With the “DigiSanté” programme (not available in English), the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) aims to gradually digitize healthcare by 2034. The FDHA will successively implement the solution strategies from 2025. What practical improvements the population can expect is still an open question.
An end to blood donation discrimination
From 2025 onwards: people may only be excluded from donating blood on scientific grounds (Art. 36 para. 2 TPA). For example, sexual orientation may no longer be an exclusion criterion.
In addition, as of the new year, people may no longer receive compensation for donating blood.
New association of Swiss health insurers
The new health insurance association “prio.swiss” will be established on 1 January 2025. The association is the result of a merger of the two previous associations Santésuisse and Curafutura. This is intended to better represent the interests of policyholders.
Adjustments to the catalogue of benefits for basic insurance
At the turn of the year, various changes to the Health Insurance Benefits Ordinance (HIBO) come into force.
Change to invoicing for laboratory analyses
Flat rates for certain outpatient treatments will now also include the costs of laboratory analyses. These will no longer be billed separately. This is intended to simplify invoicing and promote the use of flat rates.
4. What’s new in mobility?
Automated driving will be allowed
The Federal Council has adopted an ordinance that will allow automated driving from 1 March 2025 in some cases:
You may use autopilot on motorways when driving a highly automated vehicle (level 3). You can then let go of the steering wheel and do not have to constantly monitor traffic or the vehicle. However, if the car asks you to do so, you must be able to take control of the car again at any time.
In certain parking garages, vehicles may park automatically without a driver.
Vehicles may drive autonomously on officially approved routes. But an operator must monitor the vehicles from a control centre in case they are unable to handle situations themselves.
Classification of the energy label for new cars
The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is redefining the energy efficiency categories for passenger cars. This is because the categories are based the target value of the CO₂ emission regulations, which is decreasing on 1 January 2025.
In the new year, only the most efficient car models will belong to category A. Certain models will also move to a different category from the turn of the year.
Prohibition of avoidable vehicle noise
The Federal Council is extending the ban on avoidable noise (Art. 33 TREGO, not available in English). Until the end of 2024, the prohibition applies exclusively:
in residential and recreational areas
at night
From 2025, the prohibition will apply universally at all times. Avoidable noise includes:
Preheating and running the engine unnecessarily
Accelerating too fast
Avoidable noise from the exhaust, such as popping
In order to enforce the new regulation more strictly, the Federal Council is also increasing the fines. Starting in the new year, for example, leaving the engine running unnecessarily will cost 80 francs instead of 60 francs.
Electronic travel authorization for entry into the United Kingdom
For people from countries without a visa requirement: you will need an electronic entry permit for the UK from April. This also includes nationals of Switzerland and EU countries.
The electronic travel authorization (ETA) costs 11 francs. It is valid for two years for any number of trips to the United Kingdom. After that, you’ll need to renew it. However, you may stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of six months after entering the country.
Higher airfares for Swiss and Edelweiss flights
The Lufthansa Group will levy an environmental fee from 2025. In doing so, it intends to pass on the costs to passengers as a result of new EU environmental regulations. The Lufthansa Group also includes Swiss and Edelweiss. Depending on the booking class and the length of the flight, you may pay between 1 and 72 euros more.
Indication of emissions caused by flights
From 2025, airlines must indicate how much CO₂ a flight is expected to emit (Art. 7a CO₂ Act). From 2026, the airlines must then clearly display the figures in advertisements (Art. 14a CO₂ Ordinance, not available in English). This applies to flights departing from Switzerland and Basel-Mulhouse Airport if the flight is operated in accordance with Swiss traffic laws.
New SBB timetable in western Switzerland
In western Switzerland, a new timetable (not available in English) will apply from 15 December 2024 – sometimes with longer journey times for customers. This is the largest change to the SBB timetable in 20 years. This is due to construction work to improve the infrastructure in the long term.
5. What is the latest digital news?
Shutdown of the 3G network
In mid to late 2025, Swisscom and Sunrise will switch off the 3G network in Switzerland. Here’s why: it is less effective and offers less coverage than modern networks. It is also being used less and less. This will free up more capacity for the modern 4G and 5G network generations.
SRG radio station only via DAB+
From January 2025, SRG (not available in English) will only broadcast its radio stations digitally via DAB+. By the end of 2026 at the latest, the analogue broadcasting technology VHF will be completely shut down.
Older vehicles are unable to receive digital signals. If you have a vehicle with an analogue radio, you’ll need to install a DAB+ adapter or a new radio. Alternatively, you can also stream the radio via your smartphone and connect it to the car.
Digitalization in the field of education, research and innovation
The Federal Council would like to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalization in Switzerland. To this end, it has developed the Digital Switzerland strategy. It provides guidelines for government action to best shape the path to digitalization.
Uniform charging interface: USB-C
The EU and Switzerland are standardizing the charging interface for electronic devices to USB-C. This is intended to reduce the amount of electronic waste from chargers and cables.
The mandatory USB-C charging interface will apply from 28 December 2024 for new products in the following areas:
Mobile phones and tablets
Digital cameras
Headphones, headsets, portable speakers and earphones
Portable video consoles and e-readers
Keyboards and PC mice
Portable navigation systems
With the introduction of the new charging standard, retailers must sell the products without a charger. However, they may also offer a variant with a charger. Labels and pictograms on the packaging show whether a charger is included.
Good to know: from 2026, new laptops must also be equipped with a USB-C charging interface.
6. What’s new with finance and pensions?
Retirement age for women rises for the first time
In 2022, the public voted in favour of reform for the OASI system. As a result, the retirement age for women is increasing to 65 years.
For women soon to reach retirement age there will be a step-by-step increase. The first step will take place in 2025: women born in 1961 can only retire once they are 64 years and three months old.
| Year of birth | Retirement age from 01.01.2024 | Year of ordinary retirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 and older | 64 years | 2024 and earlier |
| 1961 | 64 years and 3 months | 2025 or 2026 |
| 1962 | 64 years and 6 months | 2026 or 2027 |
| 1963 | 64 years and 9 months | 2027 or 2028 |
| 1964 and younger | 65 years | 2029 or later |
Adjustment of pension amounts
The threshold amounts of occupational pensions will increase in 2025. This is due to the increase in the OPA minimum interest rate. The following will apply:
| Amount in 2024 | Amount in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry threshold | Annual salary of 22,050 francs | Annual salary of 22,680 francs |
| Coordination deduction | 22,725 francs | 26,460 francs |
| Upper limits for the annual salary | 88,200 francs | 90,720 francs |
| Minimum coordinated annual salary | 3,675 francs | 3,780 francs |
| Maximum coordinated annual salary | 62,475 francs | 64,260 francs |
In addition, the maximum amount for pillar 3a is increasing. For employees, it will be 7,258 francs. Self-employed people can deduct up to 36,288 francs per year from their taxable income.
Retrospective contributions to pillar 3a
From 2025, the Federal Government will allow retrospective contributions to pillar 3a. You can then make deposits with retrospective effect for 10 years. However, you’ll not be able to close any contribution gaps prior to 2025. This means the first retrospective payment is possible in 2026.
Increase in social security benefits
As of 1 January 2025, the Federal Council will increase various social security benefits:
| Amount in 2024 | Amount in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum pension for unmarried people | 1,225 francs per month | 1,260 francs per month |
| Maximum pension for unmarried people | 2,450 francs per month | 2,520 francs per month |
| Maximum pension for married couples | 3,675 francs per month | 3,780 francs per month |
| Minimum state pension amount for self-employed and unemployed people | 514 francs per year | 530 francs per year |
| Minimum voluntary state pension amount | 980 francs per year | 1,010 francs per year |
| Amount in 2024 | Amount in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unmarried people | 20,100 francs per year | 20,670 francs per year |
| Married couples | 30,150 francs per year | 31,005 francs per year |
| Children over 11 years | 10,515 francs per year | 10,815 francs per year |
| Children under 11 years | 7,380 francs per year | 7,590 francs per year |
In addition, the Federal Council is adjusting the maximum rent rates and the flat rate for heating and ancillary costs.
| Amount in 2024 | Amount in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unmarried people | 1,000 francs per year | 1,300 francs per year |
| Married couples | 1,500 francs per year | 1,950 francs per year |
| Amount in 2024 | Amount in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Child allowances | 200 francs per month | 215 francs per month |
| Training allowances | 250 francs per month | 268 francs per month |
7. How will the property and mortgage market change?
New regulation for mortgage financing
With the “Basel III” reform package, the rules for lending will change from 2025. Depending on the loan-to-value ratio, the amount of equity capital that banks have to obtain changes. This is intended to ensure the banks’ solvency and liquidity. What does this mean for mortgage borrowers? Your mortgage may become more expensive.
The calculation of equity capital is also changing. Banks no longer include all additional collateral in the calculation, such as life insurance.
Compare mortgages and save money
Will “Basel III” increase your mortgage? With the support of experts such as HypoPlus, Comparis’ mortgage partner, you may be able to mitigate the higher costs.
This article was first published on 20.12.2023
