Federal Department of Finance FDF
Students learning about Switzerland’s government debt: the debt brake is a key instrument of Swiss financial policy.
Federal finances, bridging credits, taxes – at the FDF, there is a lot of emphasis on the state budget and on financial policy. The department collects taxes and customs duties, and checks the cross-border movement of people and goods. It also provides services for the entire Federal Administration, from IT to human resources to buildings and logistics.
Member of the Federal Council since 2019.
A sustainable financial policy strengthens Switzerland as a business location and ensures that the state can act effectively in crises.
Priorities of the FDF in 2023
Expenditure and receipts must be balanced. That is the overriding priority for federal finances. This is ensured by the debt brake: over the longer term, the Confederation may not spend more than it receives. Between 2003, when the debt brake was introduced, and 2019, federal debt was reduced by over CHF 30 billion.
The tide turned with the COVID pandemic. The Federal Council and Parliament implemented extensive measures that were necessary to mitigate the health, social and economic consequences of the COVID crisis. The provision of liquidity for businesses, measures to safeguard incomes and employment levels, and aid provided to industries particularly affected by the crisis resulted in extraordinary expenditure of approximately CHF 30 billion, which has once again driven up the Confederation's debts.
The pandemic has shown just how quickly federal debt can grow and how important it is for our country to reduce it – not only because it is required by the Financial Budget Act – but also because sound public finances are a key advantage for Switzerland as a business location. Moreover, the war in Ukraine and other challenges, above all population ageing and climate change, are likely to have long-term financial consequences for Switzerland. Budget discipline is key. In view of the uncertain economic outlook, the Confederation must rebalance its budget and focus on its core competencies.
Expenses 2021 (CHF)
17.28 bn
Staff (FTEs) 2021
8,772
Organisation chart FDF
General Secretariat GS-FDF
Secretary General: Barbara Hübscher Schmuki
www.efd.admin.ch
State Secretariat for International Finance SIF
State Secretary: Daniela Stoffel
www.sif.admin.ch
Federal Finance Administration FFA
Director: Sabine D’Amelio-Favez
www.efv.admin.ch
Federal Office of Personnel FOPER
Director: Rahel von Kaenel
www.epa.admin.ch
Federal Tax Administration FTA
Director: Tamara Pfammatter
www.estv.admin.ch
Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS
Director a.i.: Isabella Emmenegger
www.bazg.admin.ch
Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunications FOiTT
Director: Dirk Lindemann
www.bit.admin.ch
Federal Office for Buildiings and Logistics FOBL
Director: Pierre Broye
www.bbl.admin.ch
Autonomous organisations
Swiss Financial
Market Supervisory Authority FINMA
Director: Urban Angehrn
www.finma.ch
Swiss Federal Audit Office SFAO
Director: Pascal Stirnimann
www.efk.admin.ch
Federal Pension Fund PUBLICA
Director: Doris Bianchi
www.publica.ch
