Latest updates
Consultation on direct medical prescriptions for cannabis-based treatments
Walder Wyss- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Switzerland
- 18 September 2019
The Federal Council recently submitted a draft amendment to the Narcotics Act for consultation that aims to facilitate patients' access to cannabis-based treatments. The revised act would allow patients to obtain direct medical prescriptions for cannabis-based treatments with a tetrahydrocannabinol content of more than 1% without having to obtain an exceptional licence from the Federal Office of Public Health.
Fertility preservation and dementia prevention covered by compulsory healthcare insurance
Walder Wyss- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Switzerland
- 11 September 2019
The Federal Department of Home Affairs recently decided that measures to preserve the fertility of people suffering from cancer will now be covered by compulsory health insurance. Under the new measures, if cancer patients run the risk that a planned treatment will lead to impaired ovarian or testicular function, sperm, egg cells or ovarian tissue can be frozen (so-called 'cryopreservation') and reused after therapy. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses for diagnosing dementia will also be covered.
Federal Council intends to improve access to psychotherapy
Walder Wyss- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Switzerland
- 04 September 2019
The Federal Council intends to improve access to psychotherapy, especially for children and adolescents, as well as adults in crisis situations. In order to facilitate such access and ensure adequate care, the Federal Council has proposed a change to the existing system which will allow, among other things, psychotherapists to provide their services independently within the compulsory healthcare insurance framework.
Popular initiative: 'Supporting organ donation – saving lives'
Walder Wyss- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Switzerland
- 28 August 2019
The popular initiative 'Supporting organ donation – saving lives' calls for the introduction of a narrow contradiction solution in order to substantially increase the number of organ donations. At present, the consent solution applies in Switzerland and organ donation is possible only if the deceased agreed during their lifetime to donate their organs. The new contradiction solution would allow organs to be removed from a deceased person if they did not oppose this during their lifetime.
Fundamental changes to Swiss withholding tax on interest payments
Walder Wyss- Corporate Tax
- Switzerland
- 09 August 2019
The Federal Council recently announced its intentions to resume the temporarily suspended Swiss withholding tax reform and set out the general framework to introduce a paying agent tax system with regard to interest payments. However, as the Federal Council's communication did not contain any details, it remains to be seen how the reform will be set out in the draft bill expected in Autumn 2019 and how it will affect paying agents and investors.
Review of private WhatsApp messages on work mobile phone deemed unlawful
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 19 July 2019
The Supreme Court of the Canton of Zurich recently clarified that employers must clearly regulate the private use of work communication devices, as well as any related control mechanisms. Further, data processing such as verifying WhatsApp chat messages – even if the information is stored on a work mobile phone – must be done in accordance with the more restrictive Article 328b of the Code of Obligations.
Securitisation transactions: avoidance actions under DEBA
Walder Wyss- Securitisation & Structured Finance
- Switzerland
- 02 July 2019
A key consideration for any investor or rating agency is the insolvency analysis of a securitisation transaction. In this context, the insolvency remoteness of the special purpose vehicle is a decisive element. Another important consideration are the circumstances under which a securitisation transaction may be set aside in the context of an insolvency proceeding. This article focuses on the avoidance actions set out in the federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act.
Implementation plan adopted for national cybersecurity strategy
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 14 June 2019
The Federal Council recently adopted a plan to implement the national strategy to protect Switzerland against cyber risks until 2022 and took additional steps towards the establishment of a cybersecurity competence centre. Work is also underway to develop a cyber-defence campus and strengthen capabilities relating to information acquisition and allocation.
Switzerland adopts new corporate tax reform
Walder Wyss- Corporate Tax
- Switzerland
- 24 May 2019
Swiss voters recently approved a new corporate tax reform, which will set the basis for new rules on Swiss corporate taxation and secure and enhance Switzerland's overall attractiveness as a business location. The reform includes a patent box, an R&D super deduction and a notional interest deduction for high-tax cantons. There are also substantial non-tax (revenue-raising) measures and new provisions on social security contributions.
Protection of minors in respect of films and video games: consultation process commenced
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 19 April 2019
The Federal Council recently launched the consultation process on the preliminary draft of the new Federal Act on the Protection of Minors in respect of Films and Video Games (Youth Protection Act). The Youth Protection Act, which will comprehensively regulate the protection of minors and close existing legislative gaps, is embedded in a complex set of ongoing legal revisions in a national and international context.
Legal considerations regarding SPVs
Walder Wyss- Securitisation & Structured Finance
- Switzerland
- 26 March 2019
Switzerland has no specific securitisation legislation. Therefore, securitisation transactions are subject to the general legal framework that applies to all other financial transactions with respect to, among others, both corporate law and regulatory matters. This article provides a short overview of certain company-related aspects to consider when setting up a special purpose vehicle structure for a securitisation transaction in Switzerland.
Illegal streaming: internet access providers not liable for third-party platforms
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 08 March 2019
The Federal Supreme Court recently ruled that internet access providers are not liable for third-party websites and portals that make movies available for illegal downloading or streaming. Further, internet access providers are not obliged to monitor or block access to such websites and portals.
Federal Council to create new cybersecurity competence centre
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 01 March 2019
The Federal Council recently announced its intention to create a cybersecurity competence centre to provide a one-stop national point of contact for all cybersecurity issues. The plan is a response to requests from Parliament and the business community and is a step towards implementing Switzerland's national strategy for protecting against cyber risks.
Welcome relaxation of Swiss withholding tax rules on foreign bonds guaranteed by Swiss parent company
Walder Wyss- Corporate Tax
- Switzerland
- 22 February 2019
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration recently relaxed its practice under which bonds that are issued by foreign resident issuers, but guaranteed by their Swiss resident parent company, are requalified as domestic issuances which trigger Swiss withholding tax on interest payments. The revised rules significantly increase the permissible use of proceeds in Switzerland.
Highlights of pre-draft Electronic Media Act
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 22 February 2019
In June 2018 the Federal Council issued a preliminary draft of the new Electronic Media Act (EMA), which aims to ensure that media content continues to meet high journalistic standards following profound changes in media use over the past decade. This article explores the highlights of the pre-draft EMA, which will replace the current Federal Act on Radio and Television.
Intra-group debt financing: updated safe haven rates and thin capitalisation rules
Walder Wyss- Corporate Tax
- Switzerland
- 15 February 2019
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration recently published the 2019 safe haven interest rates to be used on intra-group loans. Against this backdrop, this article provides an overview of the relevant Swiss tax rules associated with determining whether intra-group financing constitutes equity or debt for tax purposes and the consequences of each characterisation.
Regulatory aspects of securitisation in Switzerland
Walder Wyss- Securitisation & Structured Finance
- Switzerland
- 22 January 2019
The Swiss securitisation market is highly active and attractive for both issuers and investors. However, Switzerland has not enacted any specific securitisation legislation. Therefore, securitisation transactions are subject to the general legal framework that applies to any other type of financial transaction. This article provides a short overview of several regulatory aspects to consider when setting up a securitisation transaction in Switzerland.
New strategy for providing free access to government data
Walder Wyss- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Switzerland
- 14 December 2018
The Federal Council recently adopted a new open government data strategy for providing the public with free access to government data. From 2020 onwards, all government data will gradually be made available for free and in a computer-friendly format. The strategy aims to strengthen transparency, accountability and innovation. With a centralised source of information and appropriate support for data users such as researchers and creators, Switzerland will remain an important innovative hub.
End to rulings on Swiss principal companies and finance branches
Walder Wyss- Corporate Tax
- Switzerland
- 30 November 2018
In the context of the bill on the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration recently announced that, as of 1 January 2019, it will abstain from granting rulings which safeguard the tax privileges of new principal companies and finance branches. Existing rulings for these regimes will no longer be valid after 1 January 2020 as part of the overall Swiss tax reform.
Securitisation in Switzerland – an overview
Walder Wyss- Securitisation & Structured Finance
- Switzerland
- 06 November 2018
The Swiss securitisation market has developed steadily and successfully in recent years, attracting various issuers for both private and public transactions. Many of these issuers have become constant issuers on the Swiss market, which remains active and driven by the still low (or negative) interest environment. Specifically, recent notable activity has concerned auto-lease assets and credit cards, mortgage assets and the asset-backed security market environment.
