Work in Switzerland, life in Ticino: Routes and Agreements for 32,000 Frontier Workers (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• 46 out of 649 border workers in the province of Varese work in Switzerland every day.
• 65% of border crossers take more than 45 minutes to get to work, reporting traffic as the main problem.
• Crowded trains, queues in cars and new tax rules are taken into account.

Work in Switzerland, life in the province: numbers, routes and agreements for 32,000 border workers

The border workers of the province of Varese cross the border every day for work, crossing a complex and diverse reality. According to a survey by VareseNews, 65% of border crossers take more than 45 minutes to reach Switzerland, reporting as the main problem the inability to find a parking space or the crowding of public transport. The city of Como, in particular, is a popular destination for border workers from Varese, with around 10,000 border workers working in Switzerland and moving every day for work.

The province of Varese is home to 32,000 border workers working in Switzerland, creating a network of economic relations and exchanges that are fundamental for the local economy. To manage this workflow, an agreement is signed every year between Switzerland and Italy that establishes the fiscal, administrative and social rules for border workers. According to the latest agreement, stipulated in 2020, income taxes and other taxes are paid in Switzerland, while residence is recognized in Italy. This agreement allows border crossers to

Operational details

65% of Swiss border workers take more than 45 minutes to reach their work position, with a third taking more than an hour. The main problem reported by workers is traffic, followed by road safety and train delays. The majority of border crossers use the car to get to work, followed by the train and the bicycle.

For 32,000 frontier workers, life in the province is not easy. The main issue concerns transport, with the car proving to be the most used means of transport. With regard to road safety, one third of workers reported having suffered accidents or having seen accidents firsthand.

The railway issue is equally crucial. Most border workers work in central and southern Switzerland, but trains do not always offer regular or reliable services. About a quarter of workers reported facing train delays or cancellations, with negative consequences on their work and private lives.

To address these issues, Swiss border workers can rely on a range of regulations and agreements. For example, workers are entitled to commuter pay and can join sustainable mobility programs such as the train strike. In addition, Switzerland has established the “Cost of commuting” to help workers reduce their transport costs.

For Swiss border crossers in the process of

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

The province of Varese has approved a plan to use more than 5.6 million euros of regional funds for 2023, a significant part of which will be allocated to road maintenance and mobility. This represents an important investment to improve the road network and local mobility in one of the most industrialized provinces in the North-West of Switzerland.

The Lombardy Region has transferred these funds to Varese in response to the needs of development and adaptation to Swiss and Community standards. The city of Varese has as many as 32,000 border workers, workers who come from other countries of the European Union and who contribute significantly to its economy. These frontiersmen require a regular work and residence system, as well as a living and working environment that complies with Swiss legislation.

To address these needs, the province of Varese has developed a plan for the use of regional funds for border workers. The plan provides for a series of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of border crossers, such as the free supply of drinking water and toilets in common space, the offer of Italian courses and other language integration tools, as well as the adaptation of working and living standards to Swiss regulations. In addition, the plan provides for the implementation of infrastructural interventions aimed at improving mobility and the usability of the territory, such as the implementation

Source: varesenews.it