New laws come into effect in Switzerland from January 1, 2003
Baku, January 9 (AZERTAC). A raft of new laws comes into effect on January 1in Switzerland.
One much-talked about law, the subject of years of debate, is the new rules governing married couple`s choice of surname. As of 2013 the default position will be that men and women will keep their own surname at marriage. However, should they so wish, they can decide to share the same name.
People who changed their names on marriage can apply to get their original names back, but this will cost them SFr75 ($82).
There is good news for people who win small sums in the lottery: they will no longer have to pay tax on winnings under SFr1,000. Until now they had to declare winnings of just SFr50.
Good news for consumers as well: product guarantees will now apply for two years, in line with most European countries, rather than one.
And there is also good news for road-users - as long as they stick to the speed limit. The first measures of the Via Sicura programme come into force, with harsher punishments for excessive speeding. Drivers caught at more than 80 kilometres per hour above the permitted speed limit - usually 120 kilometres - on motorways, will lose their licences for at least two years. In certain cases the authorities will be able to confiscate the cars of road-racers.
As of 2013, no dolphins or whales can be imported into landlocked Switzerland. The ban was sparked by the death of two dolphins at the Connyland theme park, in canton Thurgau, in the autumn of 2011. Its three remaining dolphins are the only ones in the country, but since they are a mother and two sons, the park plans to sell them to another dolphinarium to avoid inbreeding. One of the attractions Connyland is considering as replacement is a rollercoaster.
Two issues accepted by popular vote come into force on January 1. On the one hand, about 570 communes, which already have more than 20 per cent of second homes, will not be able to grant building permits for any more. On the other, sex crimes against children under the age of 12 will no longer be subject to a statute of limitations.
The new year will also bring tougher rules for the banking industry. In the wake of the financial crisis, banks will have to hold significantly more capital of a better quality to absorb losses more effectively. The greatest impact will be on the two big banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, which have been prescribed the most stringent requirements.
At the beginning of the year, new pacts aiming to make sure that no foreign funds may be hidden on accounts in Switzerland will enter into force. All British and Austrian taxpayers with Swiss bank accounts or securities deposits must either disclose account details or pay a withholding tax, which is deducted directly from their account and transferred anonymously to their country of domicile.
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