Fee for border in Ticino? Impossible for the Federal Council

No entrance fee in Switzerland for frontier workers. The Federal Council has rejected a proposal to that effect in a motion of Lorenzo Quadri (Lega / TI), which proposed this system to protect the local labor market and cover the social, economic, environmental and infrastructure generated by the phenomenon.

In Ticino border workers, as well as being a source of problems in the labor market, are entitled to benefits financed by the Swiss taxpayer and cause costs to society that are not called to cover, such as Quadri noted in his parliamentary speech and cited examples such as wear of the cantonal road network, damage to the economy generated by traffic jams and urban solid waste, whose collection and disposal is the responsibility of the resident population.

In its opinion published yesterday in the evening, the Federal Council points out that the costs generated by cross-border infrastructure management must be shared equally between both states. Therefore it is important for the executive "provide for and maintain special rules for frontier category in the field of direct taxation of non-resident workers in Switzerland". In addition, the text reminds, that such rules are already in double taxation agreements or special agreements.

Therefore, the Government adds, an entrance fee would penalize EU / EFTA nationals on the Swiss labor market and would result in unequal treatment of frontier workers and workers residing in Switzerland. This measure is also contrary to the relevant provisions of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.