Federal finances The Council of States has made these decisions on the austerity package
As expected, the proposal to restructure the federal budget, known as relief package 27 or EP 27 for short, has given rise to much debate. The Council of States took dozens of decisions on Wednesday and Thursday. Here is an overview:
18.12.2025, 10:52
SDA
In line with the Federal Council
MIGRATION: Today, the federal government covers the cantons' social welfare costs for temporarily admitted persons and persons seeking protection for seven years, and for refugees for five years, with global lump sums. In future, the compensation period for all categories will be five years. The Council of States approved this by 28 votes to 14 with one abstention. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 1.067 billion. (Measure 37)
FOREIGN AID: The Federal Council wants to freeze expenditure on international cooperation (IC) until 2030. The Council of States approved this by 31 votes to 12. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 508.2 million. (Measure 1)
NATIONAL ROADS: The Federal Council wants to reduce the contributions to the National Roads and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF). The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 300 million. (Measure 13)
REGIONAL TRANSPORT: The Federal Council wants to cut funding for regional passenger transport. The Council of States approved this by 25 votes to 19. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 178 million. (Measure 14)
ENVIRONMENT: The Federal Council wants to cut funding for natural hazard and noise protection, nature and landscape, revitalization and forests by ten percent. The Council of States approved this by 24 votes to 20. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 146.6 million. (Measure 15)
ROADS: Today, the federal government subsidizes the construction and maintenance of roads with revenue from the mineral oil tax and other earmarked funds. In future, these funds are to be reduced. The Council of States approved this by 24 votes to 15 with 5 abstentions. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 88.8 million. (Measure 43)
UNIVERSITIES: The Confederation currently grants project-related contributions to universities. In future, the majority of these funds are to be cut. The Council of States approved this by 21 votes to 20. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 87.1 million. (Measure 27)
GENEVA: The Federal Council wants to cut funding for departmental research in various federal offices. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 76.6 million. (Measure 8)
PILOT PLANTS: Today, the federal government can support pilot and demonstration plants for new energy technologies. In future, these funds are to be cut. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 66.4 million. (Measure 53)
AIRPORT POLICE: The Federal Council wants to cut funding for compensation for police measures by customs at airports. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 66 million. (Measure 5)
ROADS: The Federal Council wants to reduce contributions for main roads in mountainous and peripheral regions, among others. The Council of States approved this by 30 votes to 14. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 52.4 million. (Measure 12)
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: The Confederation currently grants contributions for innovations and projects in vocational education and training. In future, these contributions will cover a maximum of 50 percent of costs, or 80 percent in exceptional cases. The Council of States approved this by 26 votes to 17. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 30 million. (Measure 30)
CULTURE: The Federal Council wants to cut contributions to Pro Helvetia and Baukultur. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 28.3 million. (Measure 9)
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: The Federal Council wants to cut expenditure in the own and transfer areas of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 19.1 million. (Measure 2)
CIVIL SERVICE: Today, the Confederation compensates deployment companies for the deployment of persons liable for civilian service. This is to be waived in future. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 10.2 million. (Measure 25)
DIGITALIZATION: Today, the federal government can support digitization projects of high public interest with start-up funding. This is to be waived in future. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 6 million. (Measure 23)
ROAD TRANSPORT: Today, the federal government can use financial aid to promote projects for automated driving. In future, this is to be dispensed with. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 6 million. (Measure 42)
SCHOOLS: In future, the Federal Council will no longer support the cantonal French-speaking schools in Bern. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 4.2 million. (Measure 31)
MEDIA: Today, the federal government can support the training and further education of program creators in the media sector. In future, these federal contributions are to be waived. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 3 million. (Measure 34)
GENEVA: The Federal Council wants to waive compensation for the diplomatic group of the Geneva police. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 3 million. (Measure 4)
CRIMINAL EXECUTION: Today, the federal government contributes a maximum of 80 percent of the costs of services for the cantonal execution of sentences and measures. In future, the contribution should amount to 50 percent of the costs. The Council of States approved this by 27 votes to 10 with one abstention. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 2.4 million. (Measure 32)
MOUNTAIN REGIONS: Today, the Confederation can support the broadcasting of radio stations in mountain regions. In future, these federal contributions are to be waived. The Council of States has tacitly approved this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 1.8 million. (Measure 35)
VICTIM ASSISTANCE: The Confederation currently provides financial assistance to promote the specialist training of staff at victim support centers. In future, this is to be dispensed with. The Council of States approved this by 23 votes to 19. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 0.9 million. (Measure 38)
Smaller savings effect than the Federal Council
BUILDING PROGRAMME: Today, the federal government co-finances the cantonal building program, which supports the replacement of heating systems powered by fossil fuels. The Federal Council wanted to abolish this instrument. However, the Council of States rejected this by 31 votes to 13 and introduced an alternative proposal. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 613.2 million, CHF 548 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 52)
RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE: The Federal Council wants to reduce contributions to the Rail Infrastructure Fund (BIF) by CHF 200 million per year. The Council of States voted 29 to 15 in favor of waiving part of the deposit cuts. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 200 million, CHF 400 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 39)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to generate additional income by auctioning off import quotas in agriculture. The Council of States rejected this by 29 votes to 13 with one abstention. As a result, it will forego planned funds totaling CHF 381 million over the years 2027 to 2029. (Measure 50)
CAPITAL TAXES: The Federal Council wants to generate revenue through higher taxation of capital withdrawals from the second and third pillars. The Council of States rejected this by 34 votes to 10. As a result, it will forego planned funds totaling CHF 380 million over the years 2027 to 2029. (Measure 56)
RESEARCH: The Federal Council wants to cut the federal contribution to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) by ten percent. The Council of States has halved the savings target by 22 votes to 20. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 205.6 million, CHF 204 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 7)
FINANCIAL EQUALIZATION: The Federal Council wants to reduce the socio-demographic equalization of burdens. The Council of States rejected this by 39 votes to 5. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 201 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 55)
STUDENT FEES: Today, the federal government generally covers 20% of the user costs of cantonal universities and 30% of the user costs of cantonal universities of applied sciences. In future, this share is to be the maximum. The cantonal universities are to compensate for the rest with higher tuition fees. The Council of States approved this by 32 votes to 12. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 180 million, CHF 180 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 26)
ETH: The Federal Council wants to reduce the financial contribution to the ETH Domain. The Council of States approved a slightly lower reduction by 25 votes to 19. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 thus amounts to a total of CHF 167 million, CHF 67 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 6)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to abolish contributions for the disposal of animal by-products. The Council of States rejected this by 26 votes to 16. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 145.7 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 36)
DRIVE SYSTEMS: The federal government currently promotes alternative drive systems for buses and ships. In future, these funds are to be reduced. The Council of States approved this by 34 votes to 9. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 138.9 million, CHF 30 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 41)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to halve the landscape quality contributions in agriculture. The Council of States rejected this by 38 votes to 5 with one abstention. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 130 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 51)
REGIONAL AIRPORTS: Today, the federal government can co-finance approach and departure control services at Swiss regional airports. In the opinion of the Federal Council, these funds are to be cut in future. The Council of States rejected this by 23 votes to 16 with 4 abstentions. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 75 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 44)
MEDIA: Today, the Confederation grants indirect press subsidies to publishers of the membership and foundation press for daily delivery. The Federal Council believes that these funds should be abolished in future. The Council of States rejected this by 33 votes to 4. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 60 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 33)
MEDIA: Today, the Confederation co-finances the costs of SRG's foreign journalistic services. In future, the Federal Council believes that these funds should be cut. The Council of States rejected this by 22 votes to 19. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 57 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 24)
REGIONAL POLICY: The Federal Council wants to forego further contributions to the Regional Development Fund. The Council of States rejected this by 22 votes to 21 with one abstention and a casting vote by Council of States President Stefan Engler (center/GR) and only wants to reduce the contribution. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 13.2 million, CHF 52.6 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 54)
SPORTS SUPPORT: The Federal Council wants to cut financial aid for sports associations, international sports events and national sports facilities. The Council of States has clearly rejected this. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 51.9 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 10)
RESEARCH PROMOTION: Today, the federal partner Innosuisse can support projects to promote highly qualified workers in the field of innovation. In future, these funds are to be reduced by five percent instead of ten percent. The Council of States approved this by 24 votes to 19. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 49.2 million, CHF 49.2 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 28)
CONTINUING EDUCATION: Today, the Confederation grants financial aid to continuing education organizations, which benefits low-skilled employees. In future, these funds are to be halved, but not completely abolished. The Council of States approved this by 27 votes to 15. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 28.6 million, CHF 30 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 29)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to cut quality and sales promotion for Swiss cheese, wine and other products. The Council of States has agreed to a lower reduction. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 10.3 million, CHF 21.2 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 16)
LANDSCAPE: The Federal Council wants to forego further contributions to the Swiss Landscape Fund. The Council of States rejected this by 28 votes to 16. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 15 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 46)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to dispense with financial aid for livestock farming. The Council of States rejected this by 31 votes to 12. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 14.7 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 48)
ENVIRONMENT: Today, the Federal Council can participate in technical pilot and demonstration plants in the interests of water protection. In future, these contributions are to be reduced, but not completely abolished. The Council of States approved this by 32 votes to 10. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 thus amounts to a total of CHF 12 million, CHF 8.2 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 45)
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: The Confederation currently grants subsidies for the education and training of specialists in the environmental and agricultural sectors. In future, these contributions are to be cut by around half. The Council of States approved this by 33 votes to 11. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 thus amounts to a total of CHF 9 million, CHF 7.7 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 47)
AGRICULTURE: The Federal Council wants to dispense with financial aid for fruit processing. The Council of States rejected this by 31 votes to 11 with one abstention. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 will therefore fall to zero, CHF 7.2 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 49)
INTERNATIONAL GENEVA: The Federal Council wants to reduce the contribution to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva. The Council of States has agreed to a slightly lower reduction by 23 votes to 22 with a casting vote by Council of States President Stefan Engler (center/GR). The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 thus amounts to a total of CHF 2.7 million, CHF 0.6 million less than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 3)
INTERNAL DEPARTMENT: The Federal Council wants to waive contributions for the education of Swiss nationals abroad and for extracurricular child and youth development. The Council of States has rejected this. However, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is to compensate for the lost savings effect. (Measures 9 and 11)
Greater savings effect than the Federal Council
RAIL: The federal government currently supports measures for long-distance cross-border passenger rail services. In future, these contributions are to be abolished. The Council of States has approved this by 28 votes to 12 with 3 abstentions. The savings effect over the years 2027 to 2029 amounts to a total of CHF 88.8 million, around CHF 30 million more than the Federal Council's proposal. (Measure 40)
