These changes come into force in Switzerland in November
Published: Thursday, Oct 24th 2024, 09:10
Updated At: Friday, Nov 1st 2024, 06:11
Back to Live Feed
New driving license in credit card format, special characters in the Swiss passport or temporary waiver of a gender entry for newborns with an unclear assignment: these new regulations come into force in Switzerland in November.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: From November 1, the old blue Swiss paper driver's license will no longer be valid. By then, all drivers must be in possession of a credit card-sized ID card. Anyone who still shows their old license at a police checkpoint after this date will be fined 20 francs. At the end of August, 330,000 people still had such a blue license. To exchange it for a new one, drivers can contact a road traffic office in their canton of residence - either locally or online. The new driving license in credit card format will be sent by post within a few days.
ANIMAL DISEASE: At the beginning of November, the federal government and the cattle industry want to tackle the sustainable eradication of the animal disease bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Initially, during a two-year transition phase, a traffic light system ("BVD-free", "not BVD-free") and corresponding partial restrictions will make animal traffic safer. For a long time, BVD caused economic losses of several million Swiss francs a year in Swiss cattle farms. BVD is not dangerous for humans.
MEDIA: Television journalist Susanne Wille officially takes over as the new SRG Director General on November 1. Born in Aargau, she is the first woman to head SRG and succeeds Gilles Marchand, who is stepping down. Wille gained fame as the presenter of the news program "10 vor 10". For the past four years, she has headed the culture department at Swiss Radio and Television. The construction sites of public broadcasting in Switzerland include the distribution of concessions, declining revenues and the upcoming vote in 2026 to reduce radio and TV fees.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS: From November 11, special characters can be written on letters in official documents such as passports or identity cards. With a few exceptions, all special characters in European languages will be included in all registers of persons in Switzerland. Any person affected can apply for an adjustment from January 1, 2025. Until this date, changes will only be made if the entry needs to be changed anyway.
GESCHLECHT: As of November 11, the birth of a child can also be reported to the competent authority without stating the sex. However, this only applies in cases where the sex of the newborn cannot be clearly determined. A corresponding medical certificate must be submitted. The parents must register the gender with the civil registry office no later than three months after the birth. At the same time, the child can be given new first names.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic