On May 15, 2022, Switzerland will hold a public referendum on legislation imposing a 4% tax on video streaming service providers such as Netflix and Hulu.
As approved by parliament in 2021, the tax would be implemented by requiring streaming service providers to either invest a minimum of 4% of their Swiss turnover in Swiss audiovisual productions or pay a 4% replacement tax (levy) to the Federal Office of Culture.
The legislation for the 4% tax would also require that at least 30% of the content provided by Swiss streaming service providers be produced in Europe.
Opponents of the legislation point to the increased costs that will eventually be passed on to consumers, as well as the Because of the 30% European content requirement, there is a restriction on consumer freedom.
