Information for refugees from Ukraine
Switzerland is granting temporary protection to refugees from Ukraine. They do not have to go through an asylum procedure, but are granted protection status S in a fast-track procedure. For this, they must submit an application for protection status S and register at a federal asylum centre (FAC).
Persons from Ukraine seeking protection can submit their application for protection status S via the online web application RegisterMe. To submit an application, they must have been resident in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and have already entered Switzerland.
Persons from Ukraine in need of protection who have a place to stay in Switzerland and have identity papers should go directly to RegisterMe to book a registration appointment at a federal asylum centre.
Refugees from Ukraine who do not have accommodation in Switzerland are asked to register directly at a federal asylum centre.
Refugees from Ukraine over the age of 18 who have accommodation in Switzerland but do not have any identity papers are asked to report directly to a federal asylum centre.
At which federal asylum centre can I register?
All registrations take place in Urtenen-Schönbühl.MZH Sand-Schönbühl
Moosstrasse 28
3322 Urtenen-SchönbühlAfter registration, the SEM assigns persons with protection status S to a canton. The place of registration has no influence on the canton to which a refugee is later assigned.
You can find all important information here.MZH Sand-Schönbühl
Moosstrasse 28
3322 Urtenen-SchönbühlYou will find all other addresses on the following page:
AddressesIf you have questions about living in Switzerland with protection status S (work, social assistance, school, language courses, health insurance, moving, leaving Switzerland, etc.), contact the authorities in the canton responsible for you:
Documents
Konzept Zukunft Status S / Plan avenir du status S
(This document is not available in English)
PDF401.29 kB19 August 2026
Fragen zur Ukraine – Ansprechstellen in den Kantonen
(This document is not available in English)
PDF314.03 kB20 April 2026
Faktenblatt «Schutzstatus S»
PDF189.47 kB23 October 2025
Ukraine: the accommodation of persons in need of protection
Cooperation between the Confederation, cantons, communes, citizens and NGOs
PDF157.51 kB31 March 2023
Links
RegisterMe web application
Submit your application for protection status S online!Addresses of all Federal Asylum Centres (FAC)
State Secretariat for Migration SEMasylum-info.ch
Information for asylum seekers in SwitzerlandTravelling with pets
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office BLVInformationen für Gastfamilien
Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe SFHPrivate accommodation for people from Ukraine seeking protection
Ukraine CampaxRefugees from Ukraine can use Swiss public transport for free until the end of May
Alliance SwissPassImage dictionary English-Ucrainian (and other languages)
tueftelakademie.deІнформація для осіб з України (facebook.com)
Diaspora TV SwitzerlandKrebsliga / Ligue contre le cancer / Lega contro il cancro
Ukrainian Cancer Patients in Switzerlandmigesplus.ch
Information for Ukrainians: healthcare in Switzerlandmedic-help.ch
Health information for asylum seekersCoronavirus: general fact sheet
General information on COVID-19 vaccination
Federal Office of Public Health FOPHkip-pic.ch
Fachstellen Kantonale Integrationsprogramme KIPAnsprechstellen für Integration in den Kantonen und Städten
Cantonal immigration and employment market authorities
State Secretariat for Migration SEMwork.swiss
Unemployment Insurance and public employment service portalÖffentliche Arbeitsvermittlung
Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECORecognition of Foreign Qualifications
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERISozialversicherungen: Fragen und Antworten zur Krise Ukraine/Russland
Bundesamt für Sozialversicherungen BSVAsylum procedure
State Secretariat for Migration SEMDauer der Kostenerstattungspflicht
Asylverordnung 2 über Finanzierungsfragen (AsylV 2)Ukraine-Krieg
Eidgenössisches Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport VBSDie Schweizer Armee hilft
Schweizer Armee, VerteidigungWar in Ukraine
Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCPWar in Ukraine: Switzerland grants protection to people fleeing the war
Ukrainische Flüchtlinge
Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJPFDFA Home
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFASDC Home
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDCUkraine-Info für Gemeinden
Schweizerischer GemeindeverbandSonderseite Ukraine
Bundesamt für StatistikSurvey - Tell us your story
European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)
Further information
19 August 2026
Protection status S to continue, subject to further restrictions
There is still no sign of lasting stabilisation in the situation in Ukraine. Status S for people from Ukraine seeking protection will therefore be extended to 4 March 2028. Support measures for people with protection status S (Programme S) will also continue until that date. The Federal Council decided this at its meeting on 19 August, following consultation with the relevant stakeholders. In addition, protection status S will be restricted for certain further groups of people from 20 August.
19 June 2026
Protection status S after March 2027: Federal Council launches consultation
The Federal Council acknowledges the ‘Future of protection status S’ proposal, which states that extending protection status S beyond March 2027 may continue to ensure effective protection and relieve pressure on the asylum system. The Federal Council will make a decision on this in the summer, following consultation with the relevant stakeholders. In addition, the Federal Council is considering whether to exclude Ukrainian men liable for military service from protection status S in future. At its meeting on 19 June, it also decided to give the cantons greater discretion regarding social assistance.
8 October 2025
No lifting of protection status S
In response to the ongoing instability in Ukraine, the Federal Council has decided at its meeting on 8 October to maintain protection status S for individuals seeking protection from Ukraine until at least 4 March 2027. Support measures under Programme S, which provide assistance to those holding this status, will also be extended until that date. Following a parliamentary decision, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) now distinguishes between regions where return is reasonable and those where it is not when granting temporary protection.
4 September 2024
No lifting of protection status S
The situation in Ukraine is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. The Federal Council therefore decided at its meeting on 4 September not to lift the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees before 4 March 2026 and to extend the support measures for this group of people (Programme S) until then.
1 November 2023
No lifting of protection status S
The situation in Ukraine is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. The Federal Council therefore decided at its meeting on 1 November not to lift the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees before 4 March 2025. For the first time, it has also defined a target for labour market integration: By the end of 2024, 40 per cent of persons capable of employment with protection status S should be in work.
22 February 2023
One year of war against Ukraine: Federal Council takes stock of its engagement and requests new aid package
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine in violation of international law. In response, the Federal Council decided to adopt the EU's sanctions against Russia, thus bolstering their impact. The Swiss government also provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. In Switzerland, over 75,000 Ukrainians have been granted protection status S. One year after the military aggression began, the Federal Council expresses its solidarity with the war-stricken population, takes stock of its engagement and requests, at its meeting of 22 February 2023, the immediate release of a new aid package totalling CHF 140 million.
9 November 2022
No lifting of protection status S
The situation in Ukraine is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. The Federal Council therefore decided at its meeting on 9 November not to lift the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees before 4 March 2024 unless the situation in Ukraine changes fundamentally before then. In addition, support measures for people with protection status S will be extended by one year.
22 June 2022
Ukraine: Federal Council permits the exchange of cash for people seeking protection
From 27 June 2022, people with Protection Status 'S' will be able to exchange a limited amount of Ukrainian banknotes for Swiss francs in a one-off transaction at selected bank branches. The Federal Council approved a cash exchange solution during its meeting on 22 June 2022.
2 June 2022
Ukraine: Protection status S may be revoked on prolonged travel home
Following consultation with the cantonal and city authorities, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has decided that it may revoke the protection status S of persons who have fled Ukraine if they return to their home country for more than 15 days in a quarterly period. The same applies if they move their main place of residence to a third country.
11 April 2022
Ukraine: SEM launches campaign against human trafficking
Conflicts, crises and war can force people to flee. Refugees risk becoming victims of trafficking or other forms of abuse. That is why the State Secretariat for Migration SEM is launching an information campaign against human trafficking. The aim is to raise awareness among those seeking protection and inform them about victim support counselling centres.
28 February 2022
Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia
In view of Russia’s continuing military intervention in Ukraine, the Federal Council took the decision on 28 February to adopt the packages of sanctions imposed by the EU on 23 and 25 February. The assets of the individuals and companies listed are frozen with immediate effect; the financial sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are also to be implemented with immediate effect. Switzerland reaffirms its solidarity with Ukraine and its people; it will be delivering relief supplies for people who have fled to Poland.