July is a traditional holiday month in Switzerland and much of the country comes to a standstill (the same way as Italy and France do in August).
The government is also on a break, so political life slows down as well.
Additionally, a number of offices work on a reduced schedule, so it may seem that nothing at all happens in the country this month.
Nevertheless, several changes are underway:
July 1st: Expanded requirements for driver licenses
This change concerns the integration of Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) and Automation Systems into driver training
This means that from July 1st, candidates' knowledge of DAS and automation systems will be assessed as part of the theoretical and practical tests for obtaining a driver's license for passenger cars and motorcycles.
July 1st: Changes for electric bicycles
The current technical requirements and classification for electric bicycles have been adapted.
A new category has been created: heavy electric mopeds, which can have a maximum total weight of 450 kg. Until now, vehicles of this type were registered as light motorcycles.
Also:
From July 1st, the meaning of ‘Cycle' and ‘Moped' signs will be expanded: the 'Cycle' symbol, valid for bicycles, will also apply to all moped subcategories (slow-moving electric bicycles, fast electric bicycles, electric scooters with a maximum speed of 20 km/h, etc).
The ‘Moped’ symbol will apply not only to fast electric bicycles and gasoline-fulled mopeds (fast mopeds), as before, but also to the new category of heavy electric mopeds.
In addition, mopeds will no longer be allowed to use designated areas with a moped ban, even if their engine is switched off. Depending on local conditions, the responsible authorities may in the future exempt drivers of fast and heavy mopeds from the obligation to use cycle paths.
July 1st: Renewable energy
The development of renewable energy in Switzerland will be strengthened, allowing for greater domestic electricity production.
This plan was green-lighted in a referendum in June 2024, when 68.7 percent of voters approved the law setting conditions for Switzerland to rapidly produce more electricity from renewable energy sources such as water, sun, wind, and biomass.
The first part of the new legislation came into force on January 1st.
The rest, including provisions relating to land use planning, will be introduced on July 1st. (The remaining new rules are expected to come into force on January 1st, 2026).
July 1st: Extended health insurance coverage for colon cancer detection
From this date, cancer screening (colonoscopy) will be covered by basic health insurance up to the age of 74.
Until now, only people aged 50 to 69 were entitled to have this procedure paid for.
Energy label for smartphones
Energy efficiency rules will apply to electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Under the new rule, they will have to be identified by an energy label, as is already the case for TVs, among others. The label must indicate the energy efficiency of each device. The scale ranges from A (green) to G (red).
The Federal Council is thus adapting the energy efficiency requirements for these devices to European law.
Declaration for products of animal origin
A new declaration requirement will apply to certain products of animal origin.
Meat, eggs, and milk are subject to this requirement if they come from animals on which certain painful procedures have been performed without anaesthesia.
These include the dehorning of cows, the castration of pigs and cattle, the trimming of chicken beaks, among others.
Likewise, foie gras must now be declared accordingly.
In the process, the Federal Council is banning the import of furs and fur products produced with animal cruelty. A two-year transition period is planned for both the mandatory declaration and the ban.
Travel disruptions
The national rail company SBB will be carrying out major maintenance work on the Fribourg-Bern line — one of the most important routes in Switzerland as it connects German and French-speaking parts of the country.
This railway line will be closed from June 27th to August 25th, 2025 — in other words, the whole of July. A replacement service will be put in place for customers during this time, including buses every 10 minutes to replace long-distance traffic.
On the positive note, one track at the Zurich Airport train station, which has been closed for weeks, affecting several long-distance trains re-open on July 6th.
There will be disruptions on international routes as well in July.
For instance:
Due to roadworks on the Italian side of the border, the Eurocity (EC) train from Zurich to Bologna will not run throughout July.
Also because of construction on the Simplon line between Domodossola and Milan, this section between the two cities will be closed.
“To allow French-speaking customers to still travel to Italy this summer, SBB, in cooperation with Trenitalia, is operating replacement buses from Geneva to Martigny to Milan,” the SBB said.
There is good news as well: some popular destinations abroad will be added to the SBB timetable throughout July.
They are:
- A direct train to Avignon and Marseille with the TGV Lyria from Lausanne and Geneva
- A direct train will run daily between Zurich, Genoa, and Sestri Levante on Italy's Mediterranean coast
READ ALSO: Switzerland's SBB to launch new international rail links for the summer
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