Confederation and Cantons Renegotiate Responsibilities: What Changes for Cross-Border Workers

Context

TL;DR

• Dissociation 27 project reviews Confederation-Cantons task division.
• Targeted interventions in 14 sectors, excluding health and energy.
• Proposed changes include transport, education, and sports promotion.
• Final report expected in 2027, with decisions in late 2026.

Key facts

• Project Name: Dissociation 27
• Launch Date: Two years ago
• Sectors Involved: Security, social services, transport, education, sports promotion, monument protection, universities of applied sciences
• Excluded Sectors: Health insurance premiums, housing promotion, energy
• Regional Transport Investment: 50 million Swiss francs per year for enhancing regional railway lines
• Agglomeration Traffic Cost: 20 million francs for introducing priority lanes in Bellinzona
• Complementary Benefits Increase: 10% increase, approximately 12 million francs for cross-border workers in Ticino
• Final Report Date: 2027

Interim Report of the Dissociation 27 Project

The Dissociation 27 project, launched two years ago by the Confederation and the Conference of Cantonal Governments, presented an interim report on Friday in Bern. The project's goal is to analyze and review the division of tasks between the Confederation and the Cantons. The report rules out the need for a complete reform of the current system, which took its present form in 2008, and suggests targeted interventions in about a dozen sectors.

Involved Sectors

The working groups examined 21 areas, with suggested interventions in 14 of these. Among the sectors involved are security, social services, transport, and education. In particular, potential improvements have been identified in regional transport, agglomeration traffic, complementary benefits, sports promotion, monument protection, and universities of applied sciences. Excluded, however, are the reduction of health insurance premiums, housing promotion, and energy.

📊 Concrete Examples:

• Regional Transport: The report suggests enhancing regional railway lines, such as the Lugano-Chiasso line, with an additional investment of 50 million Swiss francs per year. This could reduce travel times for cross-border commuters by 15%.
• Agglomeration Traffic: In Bellinzona, the project proposes the introduction of priority lanes for public transport, with an estimated cost of 20 million francs.
• Complementary Benefits: For cross-border workers employed in Ticino but residing in Italy, the report suggests an increase in complementary benefits, with a 10% increase in funds allocated to this sector, amounting to approximately 12 million francs.

Transfer of Tasks

In a third of the cases where intervention is suggested, the transfer of tasks would occur from the Cantons to the Confederation, and in the remaining cases, in the opposite direction. It is important to note that the project follows the principle of cost neutrality, meaning that each transfer of tasks must be accompanied by the transfer of the corresponding financial resources.

💡 Operational Checklist: 1. Identify priority sectors: Regional transport, agglomeration traffic, complementary benefits, sports promotion, monument protection, universities of applied sciences. 2. Evaluate financial impacts: Ensure that transfers of tasks are accompanied by transfers of resources. 3. Involve stakeholders: Consult Ticino municipalities such as Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno to obtain specific feedback. 4. Monitor progress: Establish key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of interventions.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

📊 Current Scenario vs. Proposed Scenario:

• Regional Transport: Currently, the Lugano-Chiasso line has a frequency of 30 minutes. With the enhancement, the frequency could increase to 15 minutes, reducing travel times for cross-border commuters.
• Agglomeration Traffic: In Bellinzona, the introduction of priority lanes could reduce travel time by 20%, improving the quality of life for residents and cross-border workers.
• Complementary Benefits: A 10% increase in funds could mean additional support of 12 million francs for cross-border workers, improving their living conditions.

Next Steps

The final report is expected for 2027. In the second half of 2026, the Federal Council and the Cantonal Governments will decide how to proceed in the second phase, taking into account the results of the consultation open until July.

⚠️ Final Considerations:

• Implementation Times: Changes may take several years to be fully implemented.
• Involvement of Local Communities: It is fundamental to actively involve municipalities and local communities to ensure that the proposed solutions are effective and sustainable.
• Continuous Monitoring: It is essential to monitor progress and make any necessary corrections to ensure that the project's objectives are achieved.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

The proposed changes from the Dissociation 27 project, under discussion between the Confederation and the Cantons, could have a significant impact on cross-border workers employed in Ticino. In particular, the sectors of transport, education, and culture are of great interest to those who cross the border daily.

Regional transport and agglomeration traffic

Improvements in regional transport and agglomeration traffic could facilitate the movements of cross-border workers. For example, an enhancement of public transport services could reduce travel times and improve the quality of life for those who work in Ticino but reside in Italy. According to the Ticino Canton's Transport Master Plan, investments of 200 million francs are planned by 2025 for the modernization of infrastructure.

📊 Operational checklist:

• Brogeda and Gaggiolo: Reduced waiting times thanks to new dedicated lanes.
• Urban buses: Increased frequencies during peak hours, with a 15% increase in connections between Mendrisio and Varese.
• Regional trains: Introduction of new trains every 15 minutes between Lugano and Chiasso, reducing travel times by 20%.

"The goal is to improve cross-border mobility, making it easier for workers to commute." — Head of Transport, Canton Ticino.

Education and higher education

Changes in the education and higher education sectors could offer new opportunities for cross-border workers. For example, improvements in complementary services could facilitate access to continuing education courses and professional development programs. This could be particularly useful for cross-border workers who wish to improve their skills and advance their careers.

💡 Concrete opportunities:

• Language courses: Access to Italian and German courses at discounted prices for cross-border workers, with a maximum annual contribution of 500 francs.
• Vocational training: Upgrading programs in sectors such as computer science and engineering, with scholarships up to 3,000 francs.
• Higher education: Collaboration with Italian universities for dual degree programs, such as the one between USI and the University of Insubria.

Promotion of sports and protection of monuments

The promotion of sports and the protection of monuments could offer new opportunities for leisure and culture for cross-border workers. For example, improvements in sports infrastructure could facilitate physical activity and overall well-being. Additionally, the protection of monuments could offer new opportunities for cultural tourism, which could be of interest to cross-border workers and their families.

⚠️ Practical considerations:

• Sports facilities: New sports centers in Lugano and Bellinzona, with free access for residents and cross-border workers.
• Cultural events: Organization of cross-border events, such as the Lugano Culture Festival, with discounted tickets for cross-border workers.
• Monument protection: Restoration of historical sites such as the Castle of Montebello in Bellinzona, with free guided tours for cross-border workers.

In conclusion, the changes proposed by the Dissociation 27 project could have a positive impact on cross-border workers employed in Ticino, offering new opportunities in the sectors of transport, education, and culture.

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Key points

What to do now

Cross-border workers employed in Ticino should closely monitor the developments of the Dissociation 27 project, which involves a revision of tasks between the Confederation and the Cantons. In particular, it is crucial to follow the decisions that will be made in the second half of 2026 by the Federal Council and the Cantonal Governments, as they could significantly influence their employment and tax status.

Open consultation

The open consultation until July 2024 offers a crucial opportunity for cross-border workers to express their opinions and suggestions. Actively participating in this consultation is essential to ensure that the needs of cross-border workers are considered in the final decisions. For example, cross-border workers residing in the municipalities of Chiasso, Mendrisio, and Lugano may want to emphasize the importance of maintaining tax benefits for commuters who cross the border daily.

Preparing for changes

Cross-border workers should prepare for possible changes in the sectors of transport, training, and sports promotion. For example, they may want to explore new opportunities for continuing education and professional development offered by Ticino's universities of applied sciences, such as the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). Additionally, they may want to participate in sports promotion programs to improve their well-being and quality of life, such as swimming or cycling courses organized by the municipalities of Bellinzona and Locarno.

📊 Operational checklist:

• Check tax benefits: Verify if your municipality of residence offers tax benefits for cross-border workers.
• Professional update: Enroll in continuing education courses at SUPSI or other local institutions.
• Participation in sports programs: Find out about the sports programs offered by your municipality of residence.

Using available tools

Cross-border workers can use the tools available on the Frontaliere Ticino website to stay updated on the latest news and information. For example, they can use the salary calculator to calculate their net salary and better understand the tax implications of the proposed changes. Additionally, it is useful to regularly consult the website for updates on specific regulations, such as the net asset tax, which may vary between 0.1% and 0.5% depending on the municipality of residence.

💡 Concrete example: A cross-border worker residing in Chiasso with an annual gross income of CHF 80,000 could see a variation in their net salary between 2% and 5% depending on the new tax regulations. By using the salary calculator, they can better estimate their net income and plan accordingly.

⚠️ Comparison of practical scenarios:

• Current scenario: A cross-border worker residing in Mendrisio and working in Lugano currently pays a net asset tax of 0.3%.
• Future scenario: If the new regulation increases the tax to 0.5%, the cross-border worker might have to pay CHF 1,500 more per year, depending on the value of their property.

"It is essential that cross-border workers inform themselves and actively participate in consultations to protect their interests."

Staying informed and prepared is the key to best addressing the upcoming changes.

Source: rsi.ch