From national and cantonal referendums to tax-filing deadlines: these are the changes happening in Switzerland in March 2026.
March 2nd to March 20th: Spring session of the parliament
As both chambers of the parliament – the National Council and the Council of States – reconvene, MPs will weigh in on dozens of new and longstanding issues.
Among topics those to be debated is the SVP initiative calling for safeguarding Swiss neutrality; the possibility of systematically requesting a criminal record extract from a citizen of the European Union applying for a residence permit; allowing double-barrelled names for married couples; a ban on imports of foie-gras as well as the government’s counter-proposal; encouraging retired people to return to work; and the transit tax for foreign tourists.
READ MORE: Switzerland’s transit tax for foreign drivers moves one step closer to reality
March 8th: Switzerland votes
In the first round of national referendums in 2026, Swiss voters will have their say on four issues:
Lower bill for public broadcasting – an initiative which seeks to lower the annual 330-franc TV licence fee tp 200 francs.
Individual taxation – voters will have decide on the government’s plan to introduce individual taxation, which would scrap the current system of taxing married couple’s joint income.
For a fair energy and climate policy – this initiative seeks federal funding for various environmentally-friendly projects and policies.
‘Cash is freedom’ – seeks to enshrine cash in the Constitution, guaranteeing that coins and banknotes remain in circulation and that any replacement of the Swiss franc by another currency would require approval in a national referendum.
READ MORE: What’s at stake in Switzerland’s spring referendums?
On the same day, several regional referendums will be held as well.
They include cutting social assistance in Aargau; making the introduction of 30 km/h speed limits on main roads contingent on voter approval in Basel-Country; and setting the minimum wage for summer jobs in Geneva, among others.
READ MORE: The big issues Swiss cantons will vote on in March
Advertisement
March 20th: Goodbye winter, hello spring
The first day of the spring season, the so-called Vernal Equinox, will occur on March 20th at precisely 4:00 am.
That’s when the sun will sit vertically above the equator, making day and night equally long/short.
March 29th: Rewind the clocks
Daylight saving time will begin on March 29th at 3 am, when Swiss clocks will go forward an hour.
Sunrise and sunset will be about one hour later and there will be more light in the evening.
Advertisement
March 31st: Taxman cometh
As each year, Swiss tax declarations in most cantons are due on March 31st.
In some, however, like Bern and Vaud, the decline is March 15th.
When you receive your tax documents in the mail, the due date will be marked on the envelope.
However, if you don’t have it ready by this date, don’t worry: If your tax return is prepared by an accounting firm, they automatically file every year for extension for all their clients.
You should have received a confirmation letter or email from the firm to that effect.
But if you prepare your tax declaration yourself and you won’t be able to meet the deadline, you must ask the tax authorities in your canton of residence for extension.
READ ALSO: How to get an extension on your tax deadline in Switzerland
Advertisement
New flights
SWISS will launch a new European route from Zurich.
Starting on March 29th, the national airline will go to the Polish city of Poznan, where it will fly on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.
