Swiss MPs seek to introduce immigration tax into the agreement with the EU; public transport companies come under fire for ticket digitalisation; plus other news in our roundup this Wednesday.
Swiss MPs seek to introduce an immigration tax into the agreement with the EU
The Council of States’ Committee on Political Institutions wants to add an immigration levy to the arsenal of “safeguard clauses” within the future package of agreements with the European Union.
Deputies will vote on the matter during the autumn session of the Parliament, which begins on September 14th.
For employed individuals, the levy would be charged to employers but adults arriving in Switzerland under family reunification provisions would also be subject to the tax.
If the safeguard clause were to be triggered, the levy would also apply to nationals of third countries.
READ MORE: Swiss companies should pay fee for hiring workers from abroad, MP says
Public transport companies come under fire for ticket digitalisation
It is virtually impossible these days to buy physical bus, tram, or train tickets in Switzerland, as the process is totally digitalised.
This means that people without a mobile phone are left with little options of paying for their fares, as ticket counters are mostly gone, and ticket machines are also disappearing.
Asked by MP Min Li Marti how the government intends to ensure that everyone can have access to public transport without using a smartphone, Transport Minister Albert Rösti acknowledged that increasing digitalisation brings about “complex changes for certain customer groups, particularly those who do not own a smartphone.”
However, he pointed out that responsibility for tickets lies with transport companies, not the government.
Twint is introducing a direct debit feature starting in 2027
Backed by Switzerland’s largest banks, the new service is designed to offer an alternative to the traditional LSV+ direct debit system, which is set to be discontinued at the end of September 2028.
Twint’s direct debit function allows users to set up, manage, and view recurring payments within the payment app, the company announced on Tuesday.
READ MORE: What is the Twint app and how does it work?
Investigation to begin into Basel-Country’s former immigration official
A department head in the canton’s Office for Migration, Integration, and Citizenship had been accused of illegally denying hundreds of EU citizens the right to reside in Switzerland.
She was subsequently dismissed but ultimately acquitted of these charges, as the cantonal court ruled that no criminal conduct could be proven.
However, authorities have now commissioned an independent investigation into potential violations of the law and internal regulations. They will also review the applications of rejected candidates again.
READ MORE: Basel immigration officer accused of wrongly refusing hundreds of permits
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