The agreements on the new Swiss-EU package will be signed on March 2nd; second homes in Switzerland’s tourist areas remain highly sought after; and more news in our Thursday roundup.
The agreements on the new Swiss-EU package will be signed on March 2nd
On November 10th, 2025, Bern and Brussels signed the Agreement on Switzerland’s Participation in EU Programs (EUPA) – an early part of the Swiss-EU package known as Bilateral III.
The next step will take place on on Monday March 2nd, when the remaining agreements and protocols will be signed, along with a joint declaration by Switzerland and the EU on establishing a high-level dialogue, the Federal Council wrote in a press release on Wednesday.
The signing will take place in Brussels, with President Guy Parmelin representing Switzerland and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, acting on behalf of the EU.
READ MORE: How will Switzerland benefit from new pact with the European Union?
Second homes in Switzerland’s tourist areas remain highly sought after
Since the beginning of 2020, second homes have become 46 percent more expensive, according to a study published Wednesday by Wüest Partner real estate consulting firm.
This corresponds to an average annual increase of 6.5 percent.
Growth during this period has been particularly strong in Central Switzerland (+8.3 percent per year) and Graubünden (+7.7 percent per year), with Valais recording an increase 6.2 percent.
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Warm weather: Bad news for allergy sufferers
During dry periods with temperatures above 5C – as is currently the case in Switzerland – large quantities of pollen are being released into the air.
Accordingly, the pollen forecast from MeteoSchweiz weather service shows that hazel and alder trees are experiencing “a particularly heavy” flowering.
This means that “people who react allergically to these pollens should already start to take antihistamines,” said Roxane Guillod, head of specialist services at the Swiss Allergy Centre.
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Lucerne boasts one of the world’s most stunning (and enduring) bridges
The city’s famous landmark, the wooden Kapellbrücke, is among the top-10 most beautiful bridges in the world, according to a new ranking by Time Out lifestyle magazine. It took 7th place out of 19 bridges rated in the survey.
According to the publication, Lucerne’s 205-metre-long footbridge stretching diagonally across the River Reuss, “has survived floods, shortenings, and calls for demolition across its 650+ years – and that’s before a 1993 fire destroyed many of its painted ceilings. But this is a story of resilience. The remaining overhead artwork, the timber beams lined with flower boxes, and the 14th-century water tower remain peaceful symbols of the city’s endurance. The bridge’s centre was rebuilt, the edges remain intact, and the lost ceiling paintings were captured in photographs. This Swiss landmark draws millions of visitors a year.”
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