Switzerland drafts law for 'mini-marriage' with one-month notice

Switzerland is moving towards introducing a new legal framework for unmarried couples, a formal partnership known as 'Pacs' (Pacte civil de solidarité), designed as an alternative to traditional marriage. The initiative aims to provide a simpler way for couples to formalize their relationship and secure each other's well-being without the commitment and legal implications of marriage.

The proposed 'Pacs' is intended to streamline cohabitation, particularly for younger individuals or older couples who may not wish to marry or remarry. While it offers mutual support and protection during the relationship, including safeguarding the family home and the ability to represent an incapacitated partner, it intentionally diverges from marriage in several significant aspects.

Crucially, entering a 'Pacs' will not alter a person's civil status, name, or citizenship. Partners will maintain separate assets, and unlike spouses, 'Pacs' partners will not automatically gain inheritance rights or preferential tax treatment. They will be taxed as single individuals, and there will be no entitlement to share pension credits or receive survivor benefits upon the partner's death.

The draft legislation proposes two methods for establishing a 'Pacs': either through the civil registry office, similar to marriage registration, or through a notarized contract. A significant feature is the ease of dissolution, with a proposed one-month notice period, allowing couples to end the partnership without the financial and legal repercussions often associated with divorce.