From new guidelines to acquire a driver’s licence to disruption on the rails — that is what you possibly can count on in Switzerland in July 2025.
July is a conventional vacation month in Switzerland and far of the nation involves a standstill (the identical means as Italy and France do in August).
The federal government can be on a break, so political life slows down as properly.
Moreover, plenty of workplaces work on a lowered schedule, so it could appear that nothing in any respect occurs within the nation this month.
However, a number of modifications are underway:
July 1st: Expanded necessities for driver licenses
This variation considerations the combination of Driver Help Methods (DAS) and Automation Methods into driver coaching
Because of this from July 1st, candidates‘ data of DAS and automation programs might be assessed as a part of the theoretical and sensible assessments for acquiring a driver’s license for passenger vehicles and bikes.
July 1st: Modifications for electrical bicycles
The present technical necessities and classification for electrical bicycles have been tailored.
A brand new class has been created: heavy electrical mopeds, which may have a most complete weight of 450 kg. Till now, autos of this sort have been registered as gentle bikes.
Additionally:
From July 1st, the which means of ‘Cycle‘ and ‘Moped‘ indicators might be expanded: the ‚Cycle‘ image, legitimate for bicycles, will even apply to all moped subcategories (slow-moving electrical bicycles, quick electrical bicycles, electrical scooters with a most velocity of 20 km/h, and many others).
The ‘Moped’ image will apply not solely to quick electrical bicycles and gasoline-fulled mopeds (quick mopeds), as earlier than, but in addition to the brand new class of heavy electrical mopeds.
As well as, mopeds will now not be allowed to make use of designated areas with a moped ban, even when their engine is switched off. Relying on native situations, the accountable authorities could sooner or later exempt drivers of quick and heavy mopeds from the duty to make use of cycle paths.
July 1st: Renewable power
Commercial
The event of renewable power in Switzerland might be strengthened, permitting for larger home electrical energy manufacturing.
This plan was green-lighted in a referendum in June 2024, when 68.7 p.c of voters accredited the regulation setting situations for Switzerland to quickly produce extra electrical energy from renewable power sources corresponding to water, solar, wind, and biomass.
The primary a part of the brand new laws got here into pressure on January 1st.
The remaining, together with provisions regarding land use planning, might be launched on July 1st. (The remaining new guidelines are anticipated to return into pressure on January 1st, 2026).
Commercial
Journey disruptions
The nationwide rail firm SBB might be finishing up main upkeep work on the Fribourg-Bern line — one of the vital routes in Switzerland because it connects German and French-speaking components of the nation.
This railway line might be closed from June twenty seventh to August twenty fifth, 2025 — in different phrases, the entire of July. A alternative service might be put in place for patrons throughout this time, together with buses each 10 minutes to interchange long-distance site visitors.
On the optimistic word, one observe on the Zurich Airport prepare station, which has been closed for weeks, affecting a number of long-distance trains re-open on July sixth.
There might be disruptions on worldwide routes as properly in July.
For example:
Because of roadworks on the Italian aspect of the border, the Eurocity (EC) prepare from Zurich to Bologna won’t run all through July.
Additionally due to building on the Simplon line between Domodossola and Milan, this part between the 2 cities might be closed.
“To permit French-speaking prospects to nonetheless journey to Italy this summer time, SBB, in cooperation with Trenitalia, is working alternative buses from Geneva to Martigny to Milan,” the SBB mentioned.
There’s excellent news as properly: some in style locations overseas might be added to the SBB timetable all through July.
They’re:
- A direct prepare to Avignon and Marseille with the TGV Lyria from Lausanne and Geneva
- A direct prepare will run every day between Zurich, Genoa, and Sestri Levante on Italy’s Mediterranean coast
READ ALSO: Switzerland’s SBB to launch new worldwide rail hyperlinks for the summer time
