New debt law to be discussed in Bern

This week parliament dives into a big debate: the law on debt enforcement – it could be good news for those who have over extended themselves.

Up to 700,000 people in Switzerland struggle with over-indebtedness.

The plan: wipe out debts if they agree to live on the bare minimum for three years. 

No new debts, no frills. Everything extra goes straight to creditors.

The hot issue is duration. Three years, as the government suggests, or five, as some want? Neighbouring countries tried five, but that seemed too harsh – they later cut it back to three.

But is this bad news for the creditors?

Backers of the plan point out that many people owe most to the state, either in tax debts or health insurance. It’s better to help people get back on their feet. 

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play