August is arriving in Switzerland, bringing with it a whole host of changes. From lower interest rates to higher wages for apprentices, this is everything that you need to know about in Switzerland in August 2024. 

1. Disruption on multiple train routes throughout August

August will be a tricky month for train travel in Switzerland, with maintenance and repair works scheduled on infrastructure both at home and abroad, causing delays, cancellations, bus replacement services and alternative routing. 

The disruption will be especially bad: 

• Between Vaud and Valais from July 22 to August 14
• Between Geneva Airport and Lausanne until August 19
• Between Montreux and Villeneuve until August 14
• Between Zurich and Stuttgart
• Between Domodossola and Milan
• Between Basel and Karlsruhe

2. Swiss banks to lower interest rates

After the Swiss National Bank (SNB) cut its key interest rate in June, multiple Swiss banks responded by reducing the interest rates they offer on customer savings accounts. While some banks already did this in July, more are following suit in August, with Migros Bank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Zuger Kantonalbank and Owaldner Kantonalbank already announcing an adjustment to rates, and the Raiffeisen group issuing a recommendation to cut rates to its individual cooperative banks. 

3. Real-time money transfers arriving

If you’ve ever been frustrated by the amount of time it can take for a wireless payment to be processed - especially at the weekend - you’ll be pleased to hear that so-called instant payments (“SIC5”) are being launched from August 20, 2024. In future, all bank transfers should be credited to the recipient in less than 10 seconds, even when they take place outside of regular working hours or on the weekend. 

According to the Handelszeitung, not all banks are participating at first, but UBS, Raiffeisen, Berner Kantonalbank and Hypothekarbank Lenzburg have said they will be offering instant payment services from August. 

4. Major changes to curriculum at Gymnasien

August will also bring a major shakeup of the curriculum at Gymnasium schools in Switzerland. Among other things, the Federal Council has decided that future students must study for four years minimum before taking their Gymnasium leaving certificate. Mathematics and language teaching is due to be strengthened, and economics, law and computer science are to be offered as additional basic subjects. 

5. VBZ drivers allowed to listen to music

Good news for employees of VBZ, the company responsible for public transport in Zurich. Following a successful one-year pilot operation, the company has announced that from August 1 train, tram and bus drivers will be allowed to listen to music while they work, as long as it is only played at a “limited volume” and doesn’t contain too much speech (like a podcast or live sports broadcast). VBZ hopes that the move might encourage more people to choose to work as drivers, as the company is currently facing staff shortages. 

6. Short-time work entitlement increasing 

The Federal Council has also decided that the maximum entitlement to short-time work compensation - a kind of social security where your unemployment insurance covers your lost wages if you are temporarily put on shorter working hours - will increase from August 1, 2024. The maximum entitlement will be increased from 12 to 18 months. 

The Federal Council argued that the move was justified given the sharp increase in the cost of energy in the aftermath of the outbreak of war in Ukraine, which forced energy-intensive sectors to reduce operations and cut employee hours. Although energy prices have since fallen, the Federal Council said various sectors are still under strain. The extended maximum entitlement will apply until July 31, 2025. 

7. Higher wages for apprentices 

From August 1, apprentices in Canton Aargau will receive a higher minimum wage, as the Swiss canton seeks to make itself a more attractive employer for young people. In their first year of apprenticeship, young people will receive a monthly salary of 820 francs, rising to 1.030 francs in the second year, 1.500 francs in the third year, and 1.700 francs in the fourth year. 

Hourly wages will also increase for some young people in temporary employment in Aargau, up to 20 francs per hour, compared to the previous maximum of 16,50 francs per hour. 

The supermarket chain Coop has also announced that it will increase apprentices' wages from August 2024. Monthly wages will go up by 100 euros, to 1.000 francs per month in the first year of training, 1.200 francs per month in the second year, 1.400 francs in the third year, and 1.600 francs in the fourth year. 

8. Swiss National Day

August 1 is a special day in Switzerland - in 2024 National Day will mark 733 years since Switzerland was founded as the nation we know today. As well as being a nationwide public holiday, August 1 is marked by official ceremonies and speeches, and local celebrations like bonfires, fireworks and parades. 

9. Back to school

And finally, August marks the end of the school holidays across the country. Depending on your canton of residence and school district, kids will be heading back to school somewhere between August 9 and 25. Roads and public transport are likely to be busy as holidaymakers return home in time for the start of the school year. The next school holidays will be the two-week autumn holiday in October.