Federal austerity measures could affect Switzerland’s ability to process migrants; Swiss property prices are rising further; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
Federal austerity measures could affect Switzerland’s ability to process migrants
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) risks paralysis unless it receives additional resources to overhaul its database, according to a report by the Swiss Federal Audit Office.
Initially budgeted at approximately 66 million francs, the system’s renewal is now expected to cost four times more.
Four years ago, the Parliament approved funding for the transformation of the database—known as SYMIC—which has since become obsolete.
The system stores data on foreign nationals living in Switzerland.
Don’t miss our journalists’ daily news roundup from Switzerland
Property prices rose by 1.7 percent on average in the third quarter of 2026
There is no relief, in terms of prices, for Switzerland’s property market, according to data released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Tuesday.
Nationally, prices rose for both single-family homes (+2.1 percent) and apartments (+1.3 percent).
The largest hike was recorded in urban municipalities within, or outside, agglomerations (+3.4 percent), while prices increased minimally in small towns (+0.6 percent).
Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the overall price increase stood at +4.4 percent.
Nearly 3 percent of Switzerland’s population benefit from social assistance
This is what emerges from new government figures.
They show that children and adolescents are the most affected, with a rate of 4.8 percent.
This figure reaches 5.4 percent among foreign nationals, compared to 1.9 percent among Swiss citizens. Divorced individuals (4.2 percent) are also more affected than those who are married (1.4 percent).
Regionally, several French-speaking cantons – and especially Genevs – along with Basel-City, show some of the highest rates, in contrast to rural German-speaking regions.
Xhaka and Embolo can return to Swiss squad after fake Covid documents affair
Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo are available for selection again for next month’s Nations League matches after being sanctioned for using forged Covid-19 certificates during the pandemic, the Swiss Football Association said on Tuesday.
The pair were dropped and missed the first four Nations League games, in September and October.
Xhaka, 34, who holds a Swiss record 152 caps, admitted to using a forged vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory jabs during the Covid crisis.
Embolo, 29, similarly acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake Covid certificates.
“The Swiss Football Association will once again consider Granit Xhaka and BreelEmbolo for the national team, beginning with the Nations League matches in November,” it said in a statement. (AFP)
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch w ith us at news@thelocal.ch
