What are the main issues reported by ACSI?

The main issues reported by ACSI are the decline in purchasing power, the increase in expenses, particularly health insurance premiums, and the rise in scams. These challenges are increasingly affecting Ticino families, pushing them towards the poverty line.

How can I best manage my expenses during this crisis period?

To best manage your expenses, it's important to create a budget of income and expenses, identify unnecessary spending, request quotes for major purchases, avoid scams, and use comparison tools such as the [salary calculator](nav:calculator) and the [health insurance comparator](nav:health).

What are the implications for cross-border workers in Ticino?

Cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy may be particularly affected by the decline in purchasing power and the increase in expenses. It's important to follow ACSI's advice and use tools like the [salary calculator](nav:calculator) to best manage the family budget.

Purchasing power drops: ACSI warns of growing poverty in Ticino (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 10 May 2026

Consumer confidence remains low, health insurance premiums and inflation weigh on Ticino families. Antonella Crüzer: 'Concerning situation'

Context

In brief

Purchasing power declining in Ticino
Consumer confidence at -40 points
Health insurance premiums too high for many families

Key facts

What: Declining purchasing power and rising poverty
When: 2024 data
Where: Canton Ticino
Who: ACSI (Associazione Consumatori Svizzeri Italiani)
Amount: Consumer confidence at -40 points

The economic situation in Ticino is increasingly concerning. ACSI, the Swiss Italian Consumers' Association, has raised the alarm about the decline in purchasing power and the growing financial difficulties for families. Antonella Crüzer, ACSI's general secretary, stated: 'In Ticino, we've seen for some time now that broader segments of the population are being pushed downwards, towards the poverty line.'

Consumer confidence declining

Consumer confidence in Ticino stands at -40 points, a figure that, while slightly improved compared to last year (by two percentage points), remains very low. 'Consumer confidence is low in a world truly going through very deep crises,' explained Crüzer.

Health insurance premiums and unexpected expenses

One of the main issues is health insurance premiums, which many families struggle to afford. 'Many can't have a CHF 2,500 deductible, because if something happened, they wouldn't have the money set aside to pay for it,' added Crüzer. This is a worrying sign, as purchasing power is the engine of the economy, and if it's lacking, problems can arise for everyone.

Tips for managing expenses

ACSI has provided some tips for managing expenses best during a crisis. 'The first tip is to avoid unnecessary purchases, so try to avoid waste. But you also need to be careful not to be tricked, so pay attention to what you buy and where. Another suggestion is to always request quotes, especially for significant amounts,' advised Crüzer.

…

Operational details

Economic situation analysis

The economic situation in Ticino is complex and requires an in-depth analysis. The decline in purchasing power and the increase in expenses represent a challenge for many families, particularly those with average incomes. ACSI has reported that many families struggle to afford health insurance premiums, which are a significant expense.

Comparison with the previous situation

Compared to last year, consumer confidence has slightly improved but remains very low. This indicates that the economic situation has not significantly improved and that families continue to struggle to manage their expenses. Furthermore, the increase in scams represents an additional problem for consumers.

Future scenarios

If the situation does not improve, further difficulties may arise for Ticino families. The decline in purchasing power could lead to an increase in poverty and greater difficulty in covering daily expenses. Additionally, the rise in scams could affect more consumers, making it even harder to manage the family budget.

Impact on cross-border workers

Cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy could be particularly affected by this situation. With the decline in purchasing power and the increase in expenses, managing the family budget becomes increasingly difficult. Moreover, health insurance premiums and unexpected expenses can add further strain on families.

What to do

To address this situation, it is important to follow ACSI's advice and try to avoid unnecessary expenses. Additionally, it is crucial to be vigilant against scams and always request quotes for significant purchases. Cross-border workers can also consider using tools like the salary calculator to have a clear view of their income and expenses.

…

Key points

Procedure to manage expenses

To manage expenses effectively during a crisis, it's important to follow some concrete steps. First, it's crucial to create a balance sheet of income and expenses to have a clear view of the financial situation. Subsequently, it's possible to identify unnecessary expenses and try to reduce them.

Step-by-step

1. Create a balance sheet: Use tools like the salary calculator to have a clear view of income and expenses. 2. Identify unnecessary expenses: Analyze monthly expenses and identify those that can be reduced or eliminated. 3. Request quotes: Always request quotes before making important purchases to compare prices. 4. Avoid scams: Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true and always verify the seller's reputation. 5. Use comparison tools: Use tools like the insurance comparator to find the best offers.

Deadlines and documents

It's important to keep track of payment deadlines and the necessary documents for managing expenses. For example, it's crucial to keep contracts and quotes for any potential disputes.

Useful tools

In addition to the salary calculator, cross-border workers can use tools like the insurance comparator and the cost of living calculator to have a clear view of their expenses and find the best offers. Additionally, practical guides available on the site can be consulted for further advice on managing the family budget.

Final CTA

To have a clear view of your income and expenses, use the salary calculator and discover how to manage your family budget effectively.

Source: ticinonews.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main issues reported by ACSI?: The main issues reported by ACSI are the decline in purchasing power, the increase in expenses, particularly health insurance premiums, and the rise in scams. These challenges are increasingly affecting Ticino families, pushing them towards the poverty line.
How can I best manage my expenses during this crisis period?: To best manage your expenses, it's important to create a budget of income and expenses, identify unnecessary spending, request quotes for major purchases, avoid scams, and use comparison tools such as the [salary calculator](nav:calculator) and the [health insurance comparator](nav:health).
What are the implications for cross-border workers in Ticino?: Cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy may be particularly affected by the decline in purchasing power and the increase in expenses. It's important to follow ACSI's advice and use tools like the [salary calculator](nav:calculator) to best manage the family budget.