Business · Economy · 9 hrs ago
Two-thirds of Swiss companies say bureaucracy is a heavy burden
A survey of 1,527 companies across Switzerland found that 67% consider bureaucracy a high burden.
The survey, conducted by gfs.bern for business group Economiesuisse, also found that 64% say the burden has grown over five years.
About three in ten companies have delayed, reduced or abandoned projects because of administrative work.
Among companies that changed plans, 41% affected new products or services and 39% affected investments; some also held back hiring or apprentice training.
The burden is more often reported by larger companies, and common sources include social insurance, value-added tax and bookkeeping.
Economiesuisse and other business groups want simpler rules, faster permits and more digital government services.
The findings do not show a blanket rejection of regulation: many companies consider at least some administrative work justified.
A representative survey found that 67 percent of Swiss companies consider their administrative burden high.
The survey found that 64 percent believe the burden has increased over the past five years, while 5 percent report a decrease.
About three in ten companies said bureaucracy had led them to postpone, scale back or abandon projects.
The survey was conducted by gfs.bern for the business association Economiesuisse and included 1,527 companies across Switzerland.
Business associations called for simpler rules, faster permit procedures and more digital government services.
- Who
- Swiss companies surveyed by gfs.bern for Economiesuisse.
- What
- The survey found high and rising administrative burdens, with some companies saying they had changed or dropped projects.
- When
- Published on 9 November 2026. Companies were surveyed between late June and early August.
- Where
- Across Switzerland.
- Why
- The survey examined companies’ administrative hurdles and their effects. The sources do not state a single cause for the reported increase.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
gfs.bern surveyed 1,527 companies across Switzerland for Economiesuisse.
The survey results were published, reporting high and rising administrative burdens among Swiss companies.
- Companies reporting high burden
- 67 percent
- Companies reporting an increase over five years
- 64 percent
- Companies reporting a decrease over five years
- 5 percent
- Companies that changed or abandoned projects
- About 30 percent
- Survey sample
- 1,527 companies across Switzerland
3 sources
What people are saying
The increasing regulatory burden and the associated bureaucracy are home-grown. Urgent action is needed to counter this.