Switzerland consists of 26 cantons — and that has real consequences for law, taxes and permits. An overview of what is regulated cantonally and what is not.
Swiss federalism distributes state power across three levels: federation, cantons, municipalities. The Federal Constitution (Art. 3 FC) guarantees cantonal sovereignty insofar as the federation is not competent. In practice that means: many things that matter in daily life are decided at the cantonal level.
Foreign policy, army, currency, postal service, social insurance (AHV, IV, ALV), federal tax, customs, largely civil law (CC, CO), criminal law (CC). The federal legislator defines the national framework.
Police, education (schools, universities), cantonal taxes, migration enforcement (federal law is enforced by the canton), construction, hospitals, judicial organisation (courts are cantonal authorities but apply federal law). Cantonal laws supplement federal law in many areas — e.g. implementing ordinances on tenancy law or road traffic.