From tax deadlines and rising mobile phone prices to the prospect of lower rental costs, it’s not just the seasons that are changing in Switzerland this March. Here are 10 important things coming the alpine nation’s way:

1. Tax deadline looms in Switzerland

Alongside the coming of spring and warmer temperatures, March also brings with it the deadline for submitting Swiss tax returns. Those who are not covered by tax-at-source rules (Quellensteuer) - holders of C-residence permits, Swiss citizens and those with high incomes - will have to complete their tax documents by March 31 - March 15 in Vaud and Bern.

If you use an accountant to file your taxes, they almost always file an extension to give them (and you) more time to prepare. If you file your taxes yourself and fear you won't be ready in time for the official deadline, you must ask for an extension. While the process for doing this varies by canton, more details can be found on this website.

2. Self-driving functions made available to drivers

From this March, drivers in Switzerland will be allowed to use more self and autonomous driving functions in their cars. Motorists with vehicles equipped with automated piloting systems - like Tesla’s autopilot - will be able to use them on Swiss motorways.

In addition, Swiss cantons will be able to commission trials of completely driverless vehicles. Already, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Zurich Airport are set to launch autonomous public transport and shuttle services in the spring.

For more details about the changes, check out our guide to the new self-driving rules in Switzerland.

3. Lower rental costs on the horizon in Switzerland

In another slice of good news, those who rent a house or apartment in Switzerland are soon likely to benefit from lower rental costs. On March 3, the Federal Housing Office (FWO) is set to revise its reference interest rate on Swiss mortgages, which currently stands at 1,75 percent. 

Crucially, if they choose to cut the rate, tenants will be able to apply for a rent reduction. With average mortgage interest rates - the metric the reference rate is based on - falling to a two-year low at the end of 2024, and experts predicting both interest rates and inflation to fall to around zero in 2025, experts are near-certain that the FWO will cut the reference rate in March. 

A 0,25 percentage point cut should allow a majority of tenants to reduce their rent by up to 2,9 percent. 

4. New Federal Council member to be elected

Following the resignation of former President of Switzerland and Defence Minister Viola Amherd (Centre) on January 15, the seven-member Federal Council needs a new member. This special election to the country’s executive branch will occur on March 12.

According to the “magic formula”, which is used to determine the composition of the council, the new member will come from the Centre Party. After a lead-up campaign which saw most of the favourite candidates drop out, the election will be contested by St. Gallen National Councillor and President of the Swiss Farmers’ Association Markus Ritter, and Zug government councillor Martin Pfister.

Instead of going to the people, a joint session of the National Council and Council of States will vote to decide the winner.

5. Mobile phone prices in Switzerland to increase

Two of the largest mobile phone providers in Switzerland, Salt. and Sunrise, will be hiking their prices in March. According to Blick, this is mainly due to higher insurance, rental and energy costs at their branches.

Sunrise is expected to raise the cost of its subscriptions by between 50 rappen (cents) and 1,7 francs a month, while increasing the price of its internet packages by between 1,40 and 2,30 francs. The price rises at Salt. are only expected to affect mobile phone packages, with its popular Europe Data plan set to cost two francs more per month. 

6. UK ETA system made available to travellers

Though the official requirement won’t come into force until April 2, from March 5, people who want to travel to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland can apply for the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The fee applies to all visitors who aren’t UK and Irish citizens, UK and Irish citizens with dual nationality, or those with a valid visa or residence permit for the UK or Ireland.

The one-off payment of 10 pounds will cover trips to the UK for two years, during which travellers can enter and leave the country as many times as they like and spend up to 180 days there. For more information, check out our guide to the new UK ETA system.

7. German border controls on Switzerland extended to September

Though they were originally supposed to come to an end in March, the German government has extended its border controls with Switzerland until September 15, 2025. The measures were imposed on Switzerland, Poland and Czechia in October 2023, before being extended to Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands in September 2024. 

The aim of the checks is to disrupt human trafficking operations that see migrants pay huge fees or submit to servitude in exchange for a journey to Germany in horrific conditions. In fact, the German Federal Police noted that most of the illegal entry attempts to Germany in 2024 came through Switzerland.

However, the measures have also proven to be a major hassle for the estimated 1,5 million people who cross the Swiss-German border every day to work or see family. 

8. easyJet to launch new flights from Zurich

As part of its plan to offer 13 routes from Zurich by the middle of 2025, easyJet is set to expand its schedule from March 30. On that day, the first of its flights from Zurich to the sun-kissed capital of the Balearic Islands Palma de Mallorca will take off.

Just a day later, the airline will launch a four-times-weekly service from Zurich to Málaga. Direct routes to Faro (April), Edinburgh (May) and Olbia (June) will follow.

9. Carnival season in Switzerland gets underway

Get your costume, spool up the Guggenmusik and get ready for a sore head the day after, as carnival season in Switzerland is here! While many Swiss cities put on a good show, the best place to celebrate the occasion has to be at Basel Fasnacht.

From March 10 to 13, the streets of the city on the Rhine erupt in a sea of colour, music, masks and fun. If you think Switzerland is a bit dull and reserved, then attending Basel Fasnacht will set you right!

10. Rewind the clocks and hello spring!

The longer and warmer days of March signal the arrival of spring in Switzerland. The spring equinox falls on March 20, though the weather should get spring-like much earlier. 

In good news for those who have been tired of starting and ending work in the dark, on March 30 Daylight Saving Time in Switzerland will begin. Though it will mean an hour less sleep for one night, it will spell the return of longer evenings with more sunlight.

Thumb image credit: Swiss-Ives / Shutterstock.com