December 2025: 9 important things expats need to know

While the end of 2025 is approaching and many have started winding down, we’re not quite finished yet. There are still a number of important changes happening in Switzerland in December. Here are 9 things you need to know about in the final month of 2025:

1. Ticket prices and timetable changes in Zurich

As part of a major update to public transport in Switzerland’s biggest city, seven tram lines in the centre of Zurich will change route from December 14. Along with this, construction work at Bahnhofquai will begin affecting some tram lines.

ZVV ticket prices will also increase by 2,1 percent from December. Read all details about our summary article here.

2. SBB’s 2026 timetable begins

Zurich is not the only Swiss city where public transport timetables will change. On December 14, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will make several changes to train services across Switzerland. 

The new 2026 timetable will include:

• More frequent services between Basel and Liestal, as well as Basel, Biel and Lausanne. German-speaking Switzerland will get increased connections to Chur, Chiasso and Graubünden.
• An expansion of SBB’s night train service
• Seasonal trains between Zurich and Einsiedeln and Oberland-Chur
• Additional trains from Zurich to Milan, Italy
• A direct connection between Switzerland and Brig, Germany
• A new long-distance night train from Basel to Copenhagen and Malmö

Head to the SBB website for all of the details.

3. Changes to long-term care regulations

From December 1, new regulations on long-term care in Switzerland will take effect. Live-in caregivers, who, for example, reside with their patient to provide continuous care, will now benefit from regulations that specify working hours and rest periods.

The new regulations will also clarify that one single person cannot provide 24-hour care. 

4. Employment changes for S permits

S permit (protected status S) holders, from countries such as Ukraine, may soon find it easier to get a job in Switzerland. From December 1, employers hiring S permit holders will simply have to submit an online notification to the cantonal authorities rather than applying for a separate employee work permit. 

5. Reporting personal data processing in the federal government

From December 1, federal government bodies that process sensitive personal data automatically (such as name or address) will need to record that they are doing so. The aim of this change is to make data processing more transparent, traceable and reduce personal data misuse. 

6. Easier pesticide approval process

Pesticides approved in Switzerland’s neighbouring countries will go through a simpler approval process to be allowed for use in Switzerland starting December 1. Swiss authorities will be able to use assessments completed by other countries to determine whether or not the pesticide in question can be used. 

The change should speed up how quickly new pesticides are approved and give Swiss farmers access to the latest products.

7. Swiss schools take a winter break

Schoolchildren in Switzerland will finish classes and take a break over Christmas this month. Each canton begins their school holiday at different times, but every child should be out of school towards the end of December, just in time for some festive Christmas activities.

8. Christmas (and other holidays) in Switzerland

Speaking of holidays, Christmas is now just around the corner! Most Swiss cities have already opened their Christmas markets for people to enjoy food, drink, music and more.

On December 5, Samichlaus will make his first appearance in the lead-up to St. Nicolas Day, which is celebrated across the country on December 6. Santa and his sidekick Schmutzli will visit markets and schools across the alpine nation, offering kids Christmas treats and other goodies.

December 8 is a public holiday in many cantons to commemorate the Immaculate Conception. Workers in Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug and parts of Solothurn, Aargau and Graubünden get the day off work.

And lastly, each year, families across Switzerland come together to celebrate, open presents and share in festive cheer on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. While Christmas Eve is not a public holiday, Christmas Day is a nationwide holiday. Boxing Day, or Saint Stephan’s Day, is a public holiday in German-speaking areas.

9. Switzerland to welcome in 2026

At midnight on December 31, Switzerland will bid farewell to 2025 on New Year’s Eve and welcome in 2026. There are a number of events taking place across the country, from Zurich's annual New Year's Eve party and fireworks display along the lake, to Lausanne's Cathedral being lit up by “Amis de la Cité”. Geneva will also be partying its way into 2026 with live music, fireworks and lots of food and drink.

Whether a cosy night in on the couch or a champagne-filled party awaits, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.