In certain Swiss cantons, notably Berne and Vaud, property insurance against fire is compulsory for owners and for tenants, without exception.
In the opinion of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):
- fire insurance requirements do not contravene international law, in particular the Vienna Convention of 18 April 1961 on Diplomatic Relations, which is applicable by analogy to permanent missions, and the headquarters agreements concluded between the Swiss Federal Council and international organisations,
- the fire insurance premiums constitute a tax on particular services rendered, i.e. a tax which permanent missions, international organisations and their staff members must pay (see the informative note on taxes in payment of particular services rendered).
