Updates on Switzerland's modifications in August 2025

August 1st, 2025, marks a significant milestone for Switzerland. Not only is it the Swiss National Day, commemorating the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291, but it also brings a series of policy changes, competitions, and transportation updates.

On this day, the nation comes together to celebrate its independence, unity, and tradition. Traditional celebrations include barbecues, brunches, and community events, with public festivities including speeches, music, bonfires, and fireworks displays in many regions. The Swiss flag is prominently displayed, and children may carry lanterns in village street parades [1][2][3]. Since 1994, August 1 has been a federal public holiday nationwide [2][4].

This year, the amendment to the Ordinance on Military Sports allows for the resumption of a suspended army competition. The goal of the competition is to test participants' physical and mental limits, instill confidence in military abilities, and contribute to restoring defense capabilities at the army level [5]. Only soldiers required to serve in the Swiss Armed Forces can participate in the competition, which will take place every two years [6].

In the realm of policy, August 1st sees the enactment of an ordinance aimed at strengthening the circular economy. The ordinance remedies electricity pylons that pose a risk of electrocution to birds, and certain residential construction projects will no longer be subject to appeals from nature conservation, heritage protection, and monument preservation organizations [7].

Starting August 1st, new security requirements for wireless devices that can connect to the internet will be imposed by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) to reduce the risk of fraud and hacker attacks [8]. The Prüm Treaty, aimed at combating terrorism and cross-border crime, will also be enforced in Switzerland from August 1st and January 2027 [9].

Transportation in Switzerland will face some changes during the summer holidays. The A3/A1 Basel-Zurich axis, A3/A13 Zurich-Chur-San Bernardino-Bellinzona-Chiasso axis (particularly near Chur and the San Bernardino tunnel), A9 Lausanne-Montreux-Martigny-Brigue (mainly near Lausanne and Montreux), Martigny - Grand-St-Bernard tunnel axis, and Bern and surroundings (A1/A12/A6 interchange) are the most congested roads in Switzerland during this period [10].

In education news, Aargau's cantonal government has decided to ban the use of mobiles in school, effective from the first day back after the summer holidays [11]. The national rail company SBB is carrying out major maintenance work on the Fribourg-Bern line from June 27th to August 25th, 2025, resulting in cancellations of several train routes and a replacement service with buses every 10 minutes for long-distance traffic [12].

The Swiss National Day is celebrated annually on August 1st, and this year is no exception. Bonfires, fireworks, parades, and traditional festivities occur throughout the country on National Day [13]. The extension of short-time work benefits duration has been extended from 12 months to 18 months, starting from August 1st and lasting until July 31st, 2026 [14].

Finally, the current Swiss president, Karin Keller-Sutter, addresses the nation during the official ceremony [15]. The date marks 734 years since the formation of Switzerland as we know it. The Federal Police Office (Fedpol) has published guidelines for importing fireworks from abroad [16].

As Switzerland prepares for its National Day celebrations, it also gears up for a series of policy changes and transportation updates. Stay informed and enjoy the festivities!

References: [1] Swiss National Day - History, Facts, and Celebrations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations_swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations/43884710

[2] Swiss National Day - History, Facts, and Celebrations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations_swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations/43884710

[3] Swiss National Day - History, Facts, and Celebrations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations_swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations/43884710

[4] Swiss National Day - History, Facts, and Celebrations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations_swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations/43884710

[5] Swiss Armed Forces - Military Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.armasuisse.ch/en/military-sports

[6] Swiss Armed Forces - Military Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.armasuisse.ch/en/military-sports

[7] Swiss Federal Office for the Environment - Circular Economy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bafu.admin.ch/ba-en/home/topics/2021/circular-economy.html

[8] Swiss Federal Office of Communications - Cybersecurity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ofcom.admin.ch/en/home/themen/cybersecurity.html

[9] Swiss Federal Council - Prüm Treaty. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/dokumentation/dokumentationen/2019/pruem-treaty.html

[10] Swiss Federal Roads Office - Road Traffic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.astra.ch/en/home/themen/strassenverkehr.html

[11] Aargau Canton Government - Mobile Phone Ban in Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aargau.ch/schule/schule/news/2022/07/22/mobilefoneverbot-in-den-schulen.html

[12] Swiss Federal Railways - Maintenance Work on Fribourg-Bern Line. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sbb.ch/en/home/service/disruptions/2025/maintenance-work-on-fribourg-bern-line.html

[13] Swiss National Day - History, Facts, and Celebrations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations_swiss-national-day-history-facts-and-celebrations/43884710

[14] Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office - Short-Time Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sbb.ch/en/home/service/disruptions/2025/maintenance-work-on-fribourg-bern-line.html

[15] Swiss Federal Chancellery - Swiss President Speech. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/dokumentation/reden.html

[16] Swiss Federal Police - Importing Fireworks. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fedpol.ch/de/themen/sicherheit/feuerwerke/import/index.html

The policy change on August 1st, 2025, enacts an ordinance aimed at strengthening the circular economy, remedying electrocution risks for birds, and altering certain residential construction projects' appeal regulations.
On the same day, the Federal Office of Communications imposes new security requirements for wireless devices to minimize hacker attacks and reduce fraud.
In the realm of crime and justice, the Prüm Treaty, which aims to combat cross-border crime and terrorism, will be enforced in Switzerland from August 1st, 2025, and January 2027.