Outlook

VAT would be raised for an unlimited period, from the start of 2028 at the earliest: the standard rate by 0.4 percentage points from 8.1% to 8.5%, the special rate for accommodation from 3.8% to 4%.

[1] p. 4, 15, 18, 21

The reduced rate of 2.6% would not be raised, so there would be no increase in VAT on certain everyday goods such as food, medicines, newspapers, magazines and books.

[1] p. 4, 15–16

The proceeds would go in full to the OASI compensation fund: an estimated CHF 1.4 billion a year from 2029. Together with the federal contribution, this would cover around half of the additional costs of the 13th OASI pension payment.

[1] p. 4, 16, 24

According to the Federal Tax Administration, the extra cost would average an estimated CHF 180 a year per household (CHF 15 a month); the actual extra cost is likely to be somewhat higher.

[1] p. 18

The sale and use of fireworks that produce noise would in principle be banned throughout Switzerland. The ban would be written into the Federal Constitution.

[1] p. 6, 28, 34

The initiative leaves open which fireworks would be banned; according to its authors, low-noise fireworks such as Bengal lights and volcanoes would still be permitted. Parliament and the Federal Council would have two years to regulate the details.

[1] p. 6, 28, 35

The cantons could grant exemptions for events of supra-regional significance, such as the National Day on 1 August. However, even on those occasions, individuals should not be permitted to set off noisy fireworks.

[1] p. 6, 28, 34

The Constitution would state that a married couple’s incomes are aggregated for direct federal tax, and that married couples are not treated less favourably than other taxpayers.

[1] p. 8, 38, 48

Parliament would have three years to pass a law. If none is in force by 1 January 2030, a married couple’s direct federal tax would be calculated both jointly and as for unmarried persons, and the couple would pay the lower amount.

[1] p. 8, 38, 48–49

The financial effects would depend on how it is implemented. Based on current tax rates, direct federal tax would be reduced by an estimated CHF 680 million to CHF 3 billion a year in total, mainly for married couples.

[1] p. 8, 40

Individual taxation, approved by the electorate on 8 March 2026, could not be introduced for direct federal tax. At cantonal level, it would apply from 2032 onwards unless the law is amended before then.

[1] p. 8, 42

War materiel could be supplied to a partner state involved in an armed conflict, provided this is compatible with Switzerland’s neutrality and its foreign and security policy interests. This concerns 36 partner states with similar export controls.

[1] p. 10, 53

The Federal Council could depart from the authorisation criteria, for any country, if exceptional circumstances apply and this is necessary to safeguard Switzerland’s foreign or security policy interests.

[1] p. 10, 54, 61

Countries buying Swiss war materiel would no longer be required in every case to give an assurance that they will only pass it on with Switzerland’s consent. Assurances for materiel already delivered would remain binding.

[1] p. 10, 54

Authorisations would still have to be consistent with the law of neutrality, human rights and other international obligations. Supplies from federal stocks to belligerent states would remain excluded.

[1] p. 10, 53

Importing foie gras and foie gras products would be banned. The ban would be written into the Federal Constitution (Article 80).

[1] Art. 80 para. 2ter of the Constitution, p. 1

The ban would also cover private individuals who import these products for their own use. According to the Federal Council, they could no longer be bought in Switzerland either.

[2] summary p. 2, section 4.2 p. 10

According to the dispatch, “foie gras products” would include foods containing foie gras, as well as magret and confit. Similar products made without force-feeding could still be imported, as the initiative intends.

[2] sections 3.2–3.3, p. 7–9

Parliament would have to adopt the implementing provisions no later than two years after acceptance. Otherwise the Federal Council would issue them in an interim ordinance.

[1] Art. 197 no. 15 of the Constitution, p. 2

Foreign nationals who have lived legally in Switzerland for five years, have not been sentenced to a long prison term, do not endanger Switzerland’s security and have basic knowledge of a national language would have a right to naturalisation.

[1] Art. 38 para. 2 of the Constitution, p. 1

The residence period required for ordinary naturalisation would fall from ten to five years. A settlement permit would no longer be required.

[2] summary p. 2

Criminal convictions, except long prison sentences, and receiving social assistance would no longer prevent naturalisation. No additional integration criteria could be required.

[2] summary p. 2, section 3.3 p. 30

The Confederation would regulate ordinary naturalisation exhaustively. According to the Federal Council, the new rules would only apply with implementing legislation; cantonal and communal citizenship would still be required.

[2] sections 3.2–3.3, p. 29, 34

The agreement of 23 June 2025 with Malaysia would be approved and the Federal Council could ratify it. It would enter into force on the first day of the third month after Malaysia and at least one EFTA state have ratified it.

[1][2] Art. 1, p. 1; dispatch section 7.5, p. 67

Tariff relief would apply to 99.9% of current Swiss exports to Malaysia, partly with transition periods. Swiss cheese, chocolate and coffee would enter Malaysia duty-free.

[2] summary p. 2, section 5.4 p. 23

Switzerland would admit non-sensitive Malaysian farm products, such as bananas and mangos, duty-free. Palm oil would get lower tariffs only within quotas, in 22-tonne tanks and under sustainability rules.

[2] section 5.4, p. 24

The Confederation would lose part of its customs revenue on farm products from Malaysia. In 2024 about CHF 4.4 million was paid on them; the reduction would have been at most CHF 2 million that year.

[2] section 6.1.1, p. 63–64

The ban on granting general licences for new nuclear power plants would be lifted. New plants would again be possible if a general licence is granted and the conditions for building and operating them are met.

[1][2] Art. 12a (section I); dispatch section 6.3, p. 33

The ban on general licences for changes to existing nuclear power plants would also be lifted. This concerns major changes, such as fundamental renewals that significantly extend a plant’s operating life.

[1][2] Art. 106 para. 1bis (section I); dispatch section 6.3, p. 33

For a nuclear power plant, the general licence would have an additional condition: the financing of construction and operation would have to be secured.

[1] Art. 13 para. 1 let. h, p. 1

The amendment is the indirect counter-proposal to the popular initiative “Electricity for all at all times (Stop the blackout)”. Its committee withdrew it on condition; the withdrawal would take effect if the amendment enters into force.

[1][3] section II para. 2, p. 2; Federal Gazette 2026 1830

Minimum wages in collective labour agreements (CLAs) could be declared generally binding even if they are lower than a cantonal minimum wage. According to the dispatch, this would also apply to minimum wages set in municipal law.

[1][2] Art. 2 no. 4, p. 2; dispatch section 5, p. 14

The minimum-wage clauses of a generally binding CLA would take precedence over conflicting cantonal law. Today a CLA can only be declared generally binding if it does not conflict with mandatory cantonal law.

[1][2] Art. 1 para. 4, p. 1; dispatch summary, p. 2

Where a cantonal minimum wage takes precedence when the law enters into force, it would keep applying at that amount until the CLA minimum wage exceeds it. Only then would the CLA prevail. The Federal Council sets the date of entry into force.

[1] Art. 1 para. 5, p. 1; section II para. 2, p. 2

According to the dispatch (as of August 2024), five cantons have a minimum wage law (NE, JU, GE, TI, BS). Only in Neuchâtel and Geneva does the cantonal minimum wage take precedence over generally binding CLAs, if it is higher.

[2] section 1.1, p. 3