10 legal provisions since 2021

Public transport
Passengers are now entitled to compensation if their journey is delayed by one hour or more. 

Radio and television fees
Radio and television fees for households have been reduced from CHF 365 to CHF 335. Those who receive supplementary benefits to OASI or Invalidity Insurance are still exempt.

Driving test
A passed theory test is now valid for an unlimited period of time. A provisional driving licence can be applied for at the age of 17 instead of 18. 

Paternity leave
Fathers of newborn children are now entitled to two weeks of paternity leave, which they can take during the first six months after the birth.

Motorway
In the event of congestion, slow-moving traffic or an accident, it is now permitted to pass moving cars on the right. Overtaking on the right and switching lanes again remains prohibited. 

CBD hemp
The production and marketing of seeds and seedlings for the production of CBD hemp in agriculture is permitted. The cultivation and use of narcotic hemp (cannabis) remains prohibited. 

Cycling
Children up to the age of 12 are allowed to cycle on the pavement if there are no cycle lanes or cycle tracks.

Alcohol
Motorway service stations are now permitted to serve and sell alcoholic beverages.

Women in executive positions
In large listed companies headquartered in Switzerland, a new benchmark of 30 per cent of women on the board of directors and 20 per cent on the executive board applies. 

Turning right
Cyclists and moped riders are now permitted to turn right at traffic lights if this is signalled.

Federal law
www.fedlex.admin.ch

Was Einstein right?
Albert Einstein once said that, “if the world were to end, I’d prefer to be in Switzerland. Everything happens five years later there.” Is he right? The end of the world could well be thrown off course in the consultation procedure, or at the very least in Parliament. There may well also be disagreement within the Federal Council on a reasonable time schedule for the end of the world. And, Swiss voters will also have their say in the matter! One can assume that Swiss voters would reject the end of the world. It looks like, for once, Einstein was wrong: the world would not simply end a few years later in Switzerland, it would not be allowed to end, ever.

Excerpt from a speech by Federal Councillor Alain Berset