Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.
The Swiss want to travel again – to Italy
Since Italy has relaxed its entry restrictions on May 16th, an increasing number of Swiss residents is booking holidays south of the border.
“We have noticed a general growth in demand for almost all destinations, but above all for Italy the numbers are really increasing”, said Carmen Doré, general manager of FTI Touristik tour agency.
The strongest demand among Swiss tourists is Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria, although regions within a driving distance from Switzerland, like Lombardy, Piedmont and Tuscany, are also popular, she said.
READ MORE: Travelling from Switzerland: Five websites that help you plan your holidays abroad
Organic food costs almost twice as much in Switzerland as in Austria and Germany
It is well known that prices for goods and services are higher in Switzerland than in most European countries.
So it will not come as a surprise to anyone that prices for organic meat, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products are significantly higher in Switzerland than in neighbour countries Austria and Germany.
The reason, according to Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), which made the cost comparison, is because it is more expensive for Swiss farmers to produce. "Anyone who grows organic vegetables has to remove weeds manually; they cannot simply spray the field in half an hour”, the NZZ said.
Farmers in Austria and Germany do the same, but work is much more expensive in Switzerland because the general wage level is higher. “This pushes the local organic prices up”, NZZ explained.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
For a comfortable retirement, the Swiss must save 14 percent of their wages
In order to ensure an adequate standard of living during retirement, a person over the age of 50 in Switzerland must set aside - beyond the second pillar – 14 percent of their income, according to an analysis by UBS bank, which compared the pension systems of 24 countries.
In international comparison, Switzerland ranks after as the United Arab Emirates (0 percent), Singapore (3), Holland (5) ), Saudi Arabia (7) and Australia (7). However, it is ahead of its neighbours Italy (28), Germany (30), and France (44), as well as the United States (42).
Delivery of Novavax vaccine is delayed
While Switzerland’s inoculation programme with Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna vaccines is in full swing, the 6 million doses the country ordered from US manufacturer Novavax have not been delivered.
And since Novavax has not yet submitted an application for approval in Switzerland, the delivery will be delayed further.
Unlike Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which incorporate the so-called mRNA technology, Novavax is protein-based, making it particularly suitable for booster shots or against new mutations of the coronavirus.
Swiss like living in cities
Property prices have been rising in Switzerland, but they are not particularly high in relation to income, according to new study by Raiffeisen Bank.
Nevertheless, the home ownership rate is only 36 percent.
“Historically, Switzerland has been a land of tenants,” said Martin Neff, Raiffeisen chief economist, adding that “the standard of Swiss rental apartments is very high”.
Also, people still like living in cities.
"Despite the alleged loss of attractiveness due to the pandemic, the city is still a very popular place for tenants," Neff said.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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The Swiss want to travel again – to Italy
Since Italy has relaxed its entry restrictions on May 16th, an increasing number of Swiss residents is booking holidays south of the border.
“We have noticed a general growth in demand for almost all destinations, but above all for Italy the numbers are really increasing”, said Carmen Doré, general manager of FTI Touristik tour agency.
The strongest demand among Swiss tourists is Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria, although regions within a driving distance from Switzerland, like Lombardy, Piedmont and Tuscany, are also popular, she said.
READ MORE: Travelling from Switzerland: Five websites that help you plan your holidays abroad
Organic food costs almost twice as much in Switzerland as in Austria and Germany
It is well known that prices for goods and services are higher in Switzerland than in most European countries.
So it will not come as a surprise to anyone that prices for organic meat, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products are significantly higher in Switzerland than in neighbour countries Austria and Germany.
The reason, according to Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), which made the cost comparison, is because it is more expensive for Swiss farmers to produce. "Anyone who grows organic vegetables has to remove weeds manually; they cannot simply spray the field in half an hour”, the NZZ said.
Farmers in Austria and Germany do the same, but work is much more expensive in Switzerland because the general wage level is higher. “This pushes the local organic prices up”, NZZ explained.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
For a comfortable retirement, the Swiss must save 14 percent of their wages
In order to ensure an adequate standard of living during retirement, a person over the age of 50 in Switzerland must set aside - beyond the second pillar – 14 percent of their income, according to an analysis by UBS bank, which compared the pension systems of 24 countries.
In international comparison, Switzerland ranks after as the United Arab Emirates (0 percent), Singapore (3), Holland (5) ), Saudi Arabia (7) and Australia (7). However, it is ahead of its neighbours Italy (28), Germany (30), and France (44), as well as the United States (42).
Delivery of Novavax vaccine is delayed
While Switzerland’s inoculation programme with Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna vaccines is in full swing, the 6 million doses the country ordered from US manufacturer Novavax have not been delivered.
And since Novavax has not yet submitted an application for approval in Switzerland, the delivery will be delayed further.
Unlike Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which incorporate the so-called mRNA technology, Novavax is protein-based, making it particularly suitable for booster shots or against new mutations of the coronavirus.
Swiss like living in cities
Property prices have been rising in Switzerland, but they are not particularly high in relation to income, according to new study by Raiffeisen Bank.
Nevertheless, the home ownership rate is only 36 percent.
“Historically, Switzerland has been a land of tenants,” said Martin Neff, Raiffeisen chief economist, adding that “the standard of Swiss rental apartments is very high”.
Also, people still like living in cities.
"Despite the alleged loss of attractiveness due to the pandemic, the city is still a very popular place for tenants," Neff said.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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