Each year, the Swiss government sets goals to be accomplished for the benefit of the country’s population the following year. This is what’s on its ‘to-do’ list for 2026.
The government “sets concrete and quantifiable objectives from year to year which enable it to plan its activities,” the Federal Council said in a press release on September 8th.
It went on to detail a list of its objectives, ranging from maintaining the country’s economic prosperity in view of the 39-percent US tariffs, to ensuring sources of sustainable funding for pensions.
These are some of them:
Integration of immigrants
In 2026, the Federal Council will request more financing to be used towards easing the integration process of foreign nationals.
The key objective of these funds is the implementation of cantonal integration programmes (PIC).
READ ALSO: When do the Swiss think a foreigner is successfully integrated?
Rents and housing
On November 22nd, 2023, the Federal Council commissioned a study to verify the relevance of the currently used rental model, which dates back to the 1980s.
The study showed that the various components of rental costs have evolved over the past few decades and no longer relevant to today’s reality.
Therefore, in 2026, the Federal Council plans to review the current rental model and the rules for rent adjustments.
It has not said how it will benefit current and future tenants, as well as the housing situation in general, but at least it will be examining the issue in detail.
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Economy and foreign trade
The Federal Council will continue to work “towards stable trade relations with its main partners, including the United States.”
At the same time, it will also work toward concluding new free trade agreements with Malaysia, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The government also intends to update its existing free trade agreements with the United Kingdom, China, Mexico, and certain African nations.
“The objective is to guarantee market access for Swiss companies and legal certainty, so that the Swiss economy can expand internationally under the most advantageous conditions possible,” the Federal Council said.
Financing for road infrastructure
In 2026, the government will focus on a federal bill concerning the tax on electric vehicles and the use of this money for the public benefit – specifically, to use tax levied on electric vehicles to secure funding for road infrastructure.
The reason for this move is that “due to the growth of electric mobility, revenues from mineral oil taxes are continuously declining,” so new sources of income are needed to fill the gap in state coffers
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Retirement and pensions
State pension (AHV/AVS) spending will increase sharply over the next 10 years due to the aging of the population and the retirement of the baby boom generation.
To secure the inflow of funds, the government intends to address this issue by increasing AHV revenues through existing funding sources.
It also wants to adapt the AHV to social and economic developments by promoting employment beyond the official retirement age of 65.
READ ALSO: Swiss government says it wants people to work on after retirement
The Federal Council must submit a project to this effect to the parliament before the end of 2026.
Health
Rare medical conditions are overlooked in Switzerland as no national database exists .
In 2026, the Federal Council will adopt the message on the Federal Act on Measures to Combat Rare Diseases.
The bill will create a new federal legal basis that will enable the creation, operation, and financing of a rare disease registry.
You can see other measures the governments plans to implement in 2026, here
READ ALSO: What are the major challenges facing Switzerland in 2025?
