News

The Federal Council plans to strengthen protections for Switzerland's critical infrastructure against all types of failure. This includes better safeguards against cyberattacks and manipulation for the most important electronic data held by the federal government, the cantons and operators of critical infrastructure. At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council decided to press ahead with draft legislation to improve the resilience and data security of critical infrastructure, responding to two motions referred to it by Parliament.

Early delivery of subscription newspapers and magazines is set to become more affordable, with an additional CHF 25 million per year being made available. This increase of press subsidies limited to seven year aims to strengthen media diversity in Switzerland. The Federal Council opened a consultation on the amendment to the Postal Ordinance on 18 February 2026. The consultation runs until 25 May 2026.

At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to Parliament that provides for a temporary increase in Switzerland's contribution: in 2027, an additional 12 armed military personnel will be deployed to the multinational European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA). They will assist with transport tasks and staff work. Against the backdrop of political crises in the country, the EUFOR ALTHEA mission plays a key role in stabilisation. Switzerland's contribution will allow it to support the EU's stabilisation efforts in a region that is important to Switzerland. The deployment of armed personnel must now be approved by Parliament.

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will attend the Ministerial Conference of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris from 18 to 19 February. While there, he will meet with his counterparts from the IEA's 32 member states. Topics will include the latest developments in energy markets and energy policy strategies, as well as the role of nuclear energy in the energy mix. Other items on the agenda are energy security, affordability and sustainability, and the long-term availability of critical raw materials.

Building on its close relations with the Western Balkans and commitment to European security and stability, Switzerland is pursuing its political dialogue in the region: from 18 to 20 February, the head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, will travel to Slovenia and then to Bosnia and Herzegovina for an official visit. Talks will focus on bilateral cooperation, European security, cultural diversity, and dialogue as factors for social cohesion and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The visit also takes place within the framework of Switzerland's role within the OSCE, that the head of the FDFA is chairing in 2026.

In the 4th quarter 2025, the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 0.1% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) increased from 4.4% to 5.0% in Switzerland and from 5.7% to 5.8% in the European Union (EU). These are some of the results of the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 01.02.2026 and 14.02.2026.

Together with the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) and other authorities, Swissmedic dealt with a total of 6,647 illegal imports of medicinal products in 2025. While the number of consignments secured has remained stable over several years, there are noticeable shifts in the types of products imported and the countries of origin. The results underline the continued risks of illegal imports of medicinal products for public health.

According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), Swiss economic output is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025.[1] Growth in the services sector was muted, while the industrial sector stagnated. According to provisional results, the Swiss economy grew by 1.4% in 2025 overall, following 1.2% the previous year.1 This is well below Switzerland’s average economic growth (1.8% since 1981). The challenging international environment slowed the export‑oriented industry. By contrast, the services sector grew at an above‑average rate by historical standards. Note: For the initial results for 2025 overall, please see the attached article ‘Switzerland's GDP 2025: +1.4%, GDP per capita: +0.5%; GDP per capita has risen by 4.8% since 2019’ from the spring 2026 edition of Konjunkturtendenzen (currently only available in German). The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change after the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 27 February 2026.[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting events

In 2024, 4.9% of children aged under 16 in Switzerland were affected by at least three child-specific deprivations. This figure is one of the lowest in Europe. Children in low-income and single-parent households were disproportionately affected, with 14% of children in these groups experiencing deprivation. The poverty rate among Switzerland's total population was 8.4%. These are some of the findings from the Deprivation and Children's Health module of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2025.

In response to the critical humanitarian situation caused by Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar, Switzerland will be sending a team of eight experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) as well as equipment. The deployment comes as the island faces its second cyclone in the space of two weeks.