Residents in some Swiss cities will pay lower taxes in 2026, and new facts emerge about Zurich’s foreign population — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
Residents in some Swiss cities will pay lower taxes in 2026
Most residents of Switzerland will have a lower tax burden in 2026 thanks to locally approved cuts and an adjustment of taxation to (low) inflation.
Depending on where they live as well as their civil status, the tax breaks will be more or less significant.
One of the municipalities is Geneva, where residents can save up between 1,200 and 1,400 francs, due to the tax reform approved by voters in a referendum.
READ MORE: Where in Switzerland will you pay the lowest taxes in 2026
New facts emerge about Zurich’s foreign population
More people than ever before – 452,421 – were living in the city of Zurich by the end of 2025, a new study reveals.
The number of foreign nationals has increased as well – from 32.3 percent five years ago to nearly 34 percent at last count.
The majority come from the European Union nations.
Foremost among them – both in terms of residents with a B or C permit, and those who become naturalised – are Germans.
READ MORE: What we know about Zurich’s population of foreign residents in 2026
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Aargau is Switzerland’s ‘freest’ canton, a new study reveals
In its Freedom Index, the think-tank Avenir Suisse ranks each canton on 29 varied criteria, including the tax burden, financial stability of state coffers, employment market, anti-smoking policies, safety and security, and even the length of residency it requires for naturalisation.
The clear overall winner is Aargau, which obtained 70.1 points (out of 100).
“This canton wins almost across the board, claiming first place in the social sub‑index and second place in the economic sub‑index,” Avenir Suisse said.
READ MORE: Why the canton of Aargau could be the best place to live in Switzerland
Switzerland considers imposing alcohol limits on skiers
Calls for the introduction of alcohol limits on skiers hitting the slopes in Switzerland are growing, with those in favour looking abroad for inspiration.
Opponents, on the other hand, have raised concerns about the potential impact on tourism and reiterated personal responsibility among skiers.
In Switzerland, like many skiing countries, drinking alcohol at resorts is commonplace.
According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) more than 60,000 people were injured on Swiss slopes last year, at an annual cost of around 600 million francs.
READ MORE: Calls grow in Switzerland to impose legal alcohol limit on skiers
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Infections are more common in some Swiss hospitals than in others
Overall, the rate of hospital-acquired Infections (HAI) in Switzerland – 6 percent, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) – is relatively low and in line with the European average.
According to FOPH estimates, approximately 5,900 deaths that occur per year in Switzerland are at least partially linked to hospital-acquired infections.
The actual number, however, is determined by procedures, with some having a higher HAI rate – for instance colon surgeries – than others.
But even within the high-risk illnesses and procedures, some hospitals record more infections than others.
READ MORE: In which Swiss hospitals are you most likely to catch an infection?
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Death tally from Swiss bar fire has risen
A teenager injured in the fire that engulfed a Swiss bar during New Year celebrations has died at the Zurich University Hospital, where he has been treated for severe burns.
He was identified only as “an 18-year-old Swiss national.”
With his passing, the death toll from the fire at Le Constellation bar on January 1st, 2026 has now risen to 41.
READ MORE: Death toll from Swiss New Year bar fire rises to 41
