Vote on 29 November: VAT to rise for the 13th AHV pension
If approved, the standard rate rises from 8.1 to 8.5 percent from early 2028 and the accommodation rate from 3.8 to 4.0 percent. The reduced rate stays at 2.6 percent.
On 29 November 2026, Switzerland votes on financing the 13th AHV pension. The plan is to raise VAT by 0.4 percentage points for the standard rate and 0.2 points for the special accommodation rate. Food, medicines and books stay at the reduced rate of 2.6 percent.
According to the federal government, the increase would take effect in early 2028 and bring the AHV about CHF 1.5 billion per year. The Federal Council and Parliament recommend a yes, while a minority opposes it.
Source: EDI: Bundesrat empfiehlt Ja zur Erhöhung der Mehrwertsteuer für die 13. AHV-Rente (5.10.2026)
Summary by our editors. The linked original source is authoritative.