Press releases
Switzerland and India strengthen ties in a range of policy areas during presidential visit
On Monday 5 October, President Guy Parmelin met India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of the Indian government in New Delhi. Discussions held with Mr Modi focused on economic relations and cooperation in the fields of education and research. Switzerland and India also concluded two agreements, one on migration and one on training exchanges for young professionals.
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.
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.
Switzerland lifts visa restrictions on Ethiopia
Under the Schengen Association Agreement, Switzerland has decided to lift the visa restrictions it has applied to Ethiopia since April 2024. The Federal Council adopted the measure at its meeting on 12 June, following a decision by the Council of the European Union (EU) to reinstate certain visa requirements for Ethiopia in response to the country's improved cooperation on returns.
Switzerland to contribute slightly more to EU border management than planned
Switzerland is expected to contribute around CHF 323 million by 2027 to the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI), part of the Schengen states' Integrated Border Management Fund. As this figure is slightly higher than originally planned, the Federal Council referred a dispatch to Parliament on 5 June to this effect. In return, Switzerland will receive additional funding for measures of its own. The BMVI enables countries at the EU's external borders in particular to strengthen their border management and visa procedures.
Switzerland is committed to strengthening the sustainable reintegration of migrants and developing countries of origin
Switzerland and Tunisia are co-chairing a meeting as part of the Rabat Process, aimed at strengthening the link between the sustainable reintegration of returning migrants and development in their countries of origin. The meeting brings together more than thirty countries located along the migration routes between Europe and Africa.
Switzerland launches new cooperation programme for Kosovo focusing on democracy and peace, the economy, and equitable development
In Pristina on 27 April 2026, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, presented Switzerland's new cooperation programme for Kosovo. The CHF 64.5 million programme will run from 2026 to 2029 and will focus on democratic governance, economic development and equitable human development. It will be implemented by the SDC and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the FDFA, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Feasibility study launched for a new federal asylum centre in Allschwil (BL)
In consultation with the commune of Allschwil and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, SEM is exploring the possibility of building a new federal asylum centre on the existing site. The current temporary accommodation, which provides 150 places, dates from 1992 and now only partially meets current requirements in terms of building service, energy efficiency and operational requirements. A comprehensive feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) is being conducted to determine whether and how a new FAC could be built on the commune's works depot site in Allschwil.
Federal Council aims to make better use of the domestic labour force
The Federal Council is addressing the challenges related to immigration. Foreign nationals who come to Switzerland through family reunification are expected to integrate into the workforce. To this end, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act on 22 April. In order to support the cantons in implementing the bill, it also decided to extend the Perspecta pilot programme until 2030. This is an accompanying measure related to the popular initiative ‘No to a Switzerland of 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)’.
SEM to resume deciding on asylum applications from Syrian nationals
From 1 May, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will resume deciding on asylum applications from Syrian nationals.
Temporary reintroduction of visa requirement for Georgian diplomats and public officials
From 3 April, holders of a Georgian diplomatic, official or service passport will require a visa to enter Switzerland. This decision was taken by the Federal Council at its meeting on 1 April. The measure is a further development of the Schengen acquis and will remain in place for 12 months. Other Georgian nationals are not affected.
Switzerland to take over chairmanship of the Rabat Process in 2026
Switzerland is to take over the chairmanship of the Euro–African Dialogue on Migration and Development (Rabat Process) this year. It will succeed Nigeria in leading this forum, which brings together almost 60 countries from Europe, North, West and Central Africa. This year, the forum is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Thresholds to restrict free movement with Croatia not reached
Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland will no longer be subject to quotas. At its meeting on 14 January, the Federal Council was informed that the number of L and B permits issued to Croatians in 2025 remained below the thresholds which would have permitted an activation of the unilateral safeguard clause. Croatia now benefits from full free movement of persons.
Federal Council approves reinforcement of mechanism for temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for third countries
As part of the Schengen Association Agreement, Switzerland has decided to adopt an amendment to a European Union (EU) regulation aimed at reintroducing the visa requirement for third countries in certain circumstances. These circumstances may include exceeding migration thresholds, threats to public order and security, or human rights violations.
Federal Council leaves third-country quotas for 2026 unchanged
The Swiss economy must be able to recruit the skilled workers it requires. At its meeting on 19 November, the Federal Council therefore decided to leave unchanged the quotas for third-country nationals in gainful employment, service providers from the EU/EFTA and UK nationals in 2026. The Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) will be amended accordingly and enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Second evacuation of injured children from Gaza completed
Switzerland has completed its second humanitarian operation to evacuate injured children from the Gaza Strip. In collaboration with Norway, 13 children and 51 family members, who had previously travelled from Gaza to Jordan, were transported to Switzerland on Friday. They will be hosted by eight Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at various university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. As part of this humanitarian operation, Switzerland has evacuated a total of 20 injured children and 78 accompanying family members from Gaza.
Federal Council decides on activation of safeguard clause with regard to Croatia
At its meeting on 26 November, the Federal Council took a core decision about the unilateral safeguard clause relating to Croatia. This will be reactivated should the number of workers entering Switzerland from Croatia exceed a certain threshold by 31 December of this year. Quotas on the number of Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland may thus apply again next year.
Switzerland and Cyprus sign migration cooperation agreement
On 21 November 2025, Switzerland and Cyprus signed a framework agreement in Nicosia on the implementation of a bilateral migration cooperation programme. The agreement forms part of Switzerland's second contribution to selected EU member states. A budget of CHF 10 million has been allocated to support projects in the areas of accommodation, voluntary return and integration.
Fourth meeting of the Switzerland–United Kingdom Joint Committee on the Citizens' Rights Agreement
The fourth meeting of the Switzerland–United Kingdom Joint Committee on the Citizens' Rights Agreement took place on 13 November. The parties agreed not to extend the provision of the agreement that entitles service providers to continue their economic activity in the territory of the other state. This decision applies to contracts concluded before 2021.
Switzerland and Bulgaria sign migration agreement
On 28 October, Switzerland and Bulgaria signed a framework agreement in Sofia on the implementation of a bilateral cooperation programme on migration under the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. Under the programme, CHF 21.35 million will be used to finance the accommodation and care of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers and the digitalisation of asylum procedures. Through this programme, Switzerland is helping to strengthen European migration management.