Swiss police forces are no longer allowed to mention offenders’ skin colour; employees in Switzerland see their salaries grow in 2025; and more news in our Thursday roundup.
Swiss police can no longer specify the skin colour of offenders
Switzerland’s federal police (Fedpol) has banned cantonal forces from disclosing the skin colour in the country’s automated police investigation system, Ripol, which centralises reports related to missing, wanted, deported, or dangerous persons.
According to Fedpol, this practice must be “reconsidered” in the current social context – that is, accusations of racism among certain Swiss law enforcement agencies (most recently, in Lausanne).
However, two police forces are refusing to comply with this directive.
Zurich police will continue to list all significant characteristics, including the skin colour, said State Councillor for Security Mario Fehr, calling Fedpol’s ban “unhelpful” and “politically motivated.”
Basel’s cantonal police will continue to mention skin colour as well.
Wages in Switzerland are increasing in 2025
On average, employees in Switzerland have received a significant wage hike this year.
This increase is above the expected inflation rate, meaning that workers should ultimately have more money in their pockets.
According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), nominal wages are expected to have increased by 2.3 percent this year.
Consequently, the purchasing power is correspondingly higher as well.
READ ALSO: Which jobs in Switzerland will see wages rise in 2026
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Increasing numbers of Germans are moving to Switzerland
Switzerland remains the most popular European emigration destination for German citizens.
At the beginning of 2025, almost 323,600 German nationals were resident in Switzerland, Germany’s Federal Statistical Office announced on Wednesday.
This was 2.4 percent more than a year earlier, and 10.7 percent more than a decade ago.
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Most Swiss want closer ties with the European Union, a new survey reveals
A new poll conducted by the GFS Bern research institute shows that the majority of Switzerland’s population are in favour of closer cooperation with the EU.
Specifically, 64 percent of respondents see only – or mostly – benefits in the bilateral agreements between Bern and Brussels, while only 21 percent see mainly disadvantages.
Both the new EU-Switzerland agreement package concluded in December 2024, and the three planned agreements in the areas of electricity, health, and food, are finding increasing support among Swiss citizens.
Donald Trump’s tariff policy is also likely to be a factor.
“The developments surrounding the United States are apparently reinforcing the favourable assessment of the bilateral agreements [with the EU],” said study author Urs Bieri.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
