Ticino penalised: cross-border workers inflate the canton’s fictitious wealth
Bern considers Ticino wealthier than it actually is due to cross-border workers' salaries. Result: CHF 9 million less per year for the canton’s coffers from 2026 onwards.
Contesto
More than 79,000 cross-border workers cross the Italian-Swiss border every day to commute to Ticino. However, their economic contribution backfires on the Canton: the federal financial equalisation system treats them as wealth generators but not as residents. According to the Ticino Government, this artificial distortion makes Ticino appear 'wealthier on paper' than it actually is, reducing the federal aid it should receive. The core issue lies in how potential resources are calculated, an indicator measuring a Canton’s ability to generate tax revenue. The Confederation includes the income of cross-border workers taxed at source in this calculation but does not count them among the resident population. The result is an artificially inflated per capita income, as the wealth produced by cross-border workers is divided only among Ticino’s residents. Currently, only a quarter of cross-border workers’ income is excluded from the calculation: the remaining 75% inflates the Canton’s statistical value, making it appear less in need of equalisation aid. ### The mechanism penalising Ticino Here’s how the system works: the higher the per capita income calculated by the Confederation, the lower the federal aid a Canton receives. In 2026, Ticino will receive CHF 98.3 million from financial equalisation, a figure that represents CHF 8.2 million less than in 2025. In practical terms, this means CHF 279 per resident — a sum that Ticino’s State Council President, Norman Gobbi, has called 'paltry' when compared to that of a similar Canton like Fribourg. The latter, in fact, receives CHF 490 million per year, despite not having to manage a border with socio-economic challenges comparable to those in Ticino. The cantonal Government has described the Federal Council’s decision as 'a cle...
Dettagli operativi
The distortion in calculating the potential of resources has concrete effects on the daily lives of cross-border workers and Ticino residents. First and foremost, the lack of equalisation funds forces the canton to reallocate resources towards critical sectors such as healthcare, transport and education, potentially impacting the quality of public services. Additionally, while cross-border workers contribute economically, they do not see the indirect costs of their work for the territory reflected or compensated. ### Comparison with the previous situation Before the current system was introduced, Ticino received a larger share of federal aid because the incomes of cross-border workers were not included in the calculation of the canton's resource potential. Today, however, the situation has reversed: the canton is forced to manage a busy border without receiving adequate financial support. According to data from the Ticino government, around one-third of people employed in Ticino are cross-border workers, a percentage that far exceeds the national average. This means the canton must tackle unique challenges, such as pressure on the local labour market and the impact on average wages, which are lower than the Swiss median. ### What are the consequences for cross-border workers? Despite paying taxes at source in Ticino, the equalisation system does not account for the fact that their income contributes to financing services they do not directly benefit from. For example, costs for road maintenance, traffic management and the provision of public services such as healthcare and education are borne primarily by residents. This creates an imbalance in which cross-border workers enjoy the economic advantages of working in Switzerland without contributing to collective expen...
Punti chiave
If you are a cross-border worker employed in Ticino, the Federal Council’s decision on financial equalisation could indirectly affect your job and finances. Here’s what you can do right now to protect your interests and stay informed about the Canton’s next steps. ### 1. Check your tax status and rights Cross-border workers in Ticino are subject to source taxation. However, it’s important to verify that your tax calculation is correct, especially if you earn additional income or have changed your place of residence. You can contact the Ticino Cantonal Tax Office for a review or to request tax advice. If in doubt, it’s advisable to consult a professional in the field. ### 2. Keep track of legislative changes The Ticino Government is working to find alternative solutions to the current equalisation system. Staying updated on proposals for new laws and decisions by the Cantonal Delegation to the Chambers is essential. You can follow developments on the official Ticino State Council website or subscribe to the Frontaliere Ticino newsletter to receive timely alerts. ### 3. Take part in public consultations The Canton may launch new consultations on tax or infrastructure measures that directly affect you. Participating is a way to make your voice heard and help shape policies that impact your working life. Consultations are often published on the Ticino State Chancellery website or in the main local newspapers. ### 4. Plan your finances carefully With reduced equalisation funds, the Canton may introduce new taxes or increase existing ones to compensate for the lack of resources. It’s important to plan your expenses and consider potential savings, especially if you have dependents or own property in Ticino. You can use our salary calculator to estimate your net income...
Punti chiave
{"q":"Why is Ticino considered wealthier than it actually is?","a":"Because the federal financial equalisation system includes the incomes of cross-border workers taxed at source in the calculation of the canton's resource potential, but does not count them as residents. This artificially inflates the average per capita income, reducing the federal aid Ticino receives."},{"q":"How much will Ticino lose each year due to this mechanism?","a":"The Ticino government estimates an annual loss of around 9 million francs for the cantonal coffers. Additionally, in 2026 the canton will receive 8.2 million francs less than in 2025, amounting to a total of 98.3 million francs."},{"q":"Cross-border workers pay taxes in Ticino: why don’t they benefit from local public services?","a":"Cross-border workers pay taxes at source, but the equalisation system does not allocate to Ticino the structural costs it must bear to manage a heavily trafficked border. These costs, such as road maintenance or healthcare services, are primarily covered by residents."},{"q":"What is the Ticino government doing to address this issue?","a":"The State Council has described the Federal Council’s decision as a ‘lack of recognition’ and is seeking alternative solutions, such as restructuring local taxes or negotiating bilateral agreements with Italy. The Ticino delegation will meet with the federal finance minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, in June."},{"q":"Can I, as a cross-border worker, do anything to influence this decision?","a":"Yes. You can monitor the canton’s public consultations and participate, if possible. You can also contact the competent offices to request information or report issues related to your tax situation. Stay updated with Frontaliere Ticino to learn how to take an active role."},{"q":"Ho...
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Ticino considered wealthier than it actually is?
- Because the federal financial equalisation system includes the incomes of cross-border workers taxed at source in the calculation of the canton's resource potential, but does not count them as residents. This artificially inflates the average per capita income, reducing the federal aid Ticino receives.
- How much will Ticino lose each year due to this mechanism?
- The Ticino government estimates an annual loss of around **9 million francs** for the cantonal coffers. Additionally, in 2026 the canton will receive 8.2 million francs less than in 2025, amounting to a total of 98.3 million francs.
- Cross-border workers pay taxes in Ticino: why don’t they benefit from local public services?
- Cross-border workers pay taxes at source, but the equalisation system does not allocate to Ticino the structural costs it must bear to manage a heavily trafficked border. These costs, such as road maintenance or healthcare services, are primarily covered by residents.
- What is the Ticino government doing to address this issue?
- The State Council has described the Federal Council’s decision as a ‘lack of recognition’ and is seeking alternative solutions, such as restructuring local taxes or negotiating bilateral agreements with Italy. The Ticino delegation will meet with the federal finance minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, in June.
- Can I, as a cross-border worker, do anything to influence this decision?
- Yes. You can monitor the canton’s public consultations and participate, if possible. You can also contact the competent offices to request information or report issues related to your tax situation. Stay updated with Frontaliere Ticino to learn how to take an active role.
- How will this decision affect my net salary in Ticino?
- The decision does not directly change your net salary, but it could lead to higher local taxes or a reduction in public services if the canton fails to find alternatives to fund necessary infrastructure. Use our [salary calculator](nav:calculator) to estimate your net income and adjust your budget.