Switzerland Today
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Digital dependence on the United States is a growing concern for European governments – and Switzerland is no exception. Despite being a major client of Microsoft, the federal administration now wants to reduce its reliance on the American tech giant.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s housing shortage continues to fuel debate, while wealthy individuals considering leaving Gulf countries are setting their sights on Swiss real estate, especially in canton Ticino.
Enjoy today's briefing!
A Federal Chancellery spokesperson has told NZZ am Sonntag that the federal administration wants to progressively and permanently reduce its dependence on Microsoft. The paper described the move as “an abrupt U‑turn”.
According to Le Temps, Bern spends around CHF30 million ($38 million) a year on Microsoft software licences. In mid‑December 2025, the new Office 365 environment was rolled out to 54,000 federal administration workstations. While Microsoft’s rising prices play a role, data security is the main concern. Despite the company stressing its independence from the White House, doubts persist over the risks of relying so heavily on a foreign provider.
These concerns appear to be taken seriously. A feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Chancellery concluded that a switch to independent open‑source software would be possible, the NZZ reports, without providing further details.
Elsewhere in Europe, such shifts are already under way. In Germany, 30,000 civil servants in Schleswig‑Holstein, its northernmost state, have abandoned Microsoft products. Berlin recently made Open Document Format (ODF) the mandatory standard for public administrations, while Denmark has begun a gradual migration to open‑source solutions.
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East is reportedly prompting wealthy residents of Gulf countries to consider relocating to Switzerland. Alongside Zug – a well-known Swiss destination for large fortunes – canton Ticino is emerging as an alternative.
“Moving to Lugano? Choose Switzerland for a stable future” reads a campaign targeting affluent families from the Gulf, run by the Ticino branch of real estate agency Engel & Völkers. Owner Simon Incir told SonntagsBlick that enquiries had risen by 15% since the outbreak of war in Iran.
Potential buyers are mainly European citizens living in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Iran – including British, French, Italian and Swiss nationals. Ticino’s appeal lies in its many second homes (often purchasable without a residence permit), lump‑sum taxation for foreign residents with income abroad, international schools and proximity to Milan and its airport.
Other cantons are less attractive. Zurich, for instance, is often ruled out because of less favourable tax conditions. A real estate agent interviewed by Blick said many enquiries explicitly exclude cantons perceived as tax‑unfriendly.
Finding vacant apartments that are affordable remains a major challenge in Switzerland, especially in cities.
The housing shortage is once again a central political issue. The Swiss public broadcaster RSI has taken a closer look at how severe the problem has become and who is most affected.
Over the past five years, the number of vacant rental properties has fallen by nearly 40%. In the immediate post‑pandemic period, more than 60,000 were available; by 2025, that figure had dropped to around 37,000.
According to the Federal Office for Housing (FOH), market tensions in 2025 matched levels last seen in 2014, previously considered the worst year of the past two decades. Low‑ and middle‑income households are paying the highest price, as affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce. Average rents have risen by about 10% over five years.
Prospective homeowners face similar difficulties. While the number of properties for sale has increased slightly, prices continue to climb. A house costing CHF1 million in 2021 was at least CHF1.2 million last year.
“In Switzerland, housing is not lacking in absolute terms,” RSI concludes. “What is scarce is affordable housing, particularly for rent.”
A prominent figure in Swiss politics is returning to parliament. In an interview with Tamedia titles, Social Democratic Party Co‑President Mattea Meyer announced her return following a burnout.
In late November, the Zurich politician revealed on Instagram that she was suffering from “severe exhaustion” and would step back from political life. “In hindsight, it was probably already too late,” she now says.
Meyer points to the immense expectations placed on parliamentarians – and the widespread belief that they must cope with everything. She is set to return for the extraordinary session of the House of Representatives in late April.
“I want to do politics while remaining human,” she says. “That means accepting weakness and vulnerability. I’m not Superwoman – and nobody in the parliament is Superman.”
Burnout extends far beyond politics, Meyer notes, citing figures showing that 40% of working people in Switzerland say they are often exhausted. “In our performance‑driven society, the pressure is relentless,” she says, highlighting the particular strain placed on working mothers.
Translated using AI/sb
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