Mehr Spielraum für Kantone bei Sozialhilfe für Personen mit Schutzstatus S

Current rules

Protection status S for individuals from Ukraine is extended until 4 March 2028. However, new applications submitted on or after 20 August 2026, will only be granted to individuals who are in compliance with their military obligations in Ukraine. This restriction applies to Ukrainian nationals of conscription age, those on the reserve list, and those who have voluntarily joined the armed forces.

Overview

On 20 May 2026, the Swiss Federal Council approved revisions to various national ordinances to implement parts of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. These changes, alongside legal amendments passed by Parliament, will become effective on 12 June 2026. The measures aim to enhance border controls, streamline asylum procedures with a new screening process, and reduce secondary migration within the Schengen area.

What changed in the latest version

This policy change makes things clear and stable. It helps Ukrainian people seeking protection, cantons, communes, and employers. Protection Status S is extended for another 18 months, until 4 March 2028. However, this greatly limits who can get the status if they apply now. Switzerland's practice now matches the European Union's recent decision. New applicants must follow Ukrainian military duties. This means new male applicants who are old enough for military service, on the reserve list, or joined the armed forces by choice, must show they follow these duties to get protection. The change also confirms ongoing federal help for integration. The government will give cantons 3,000 Swiss Francs per person each year. It also explains how people who already have status S can get B residence permits after five years.

Explained simply

If you're from Ukraine and have Protection Status S in Switzerland, you can stay longer, until March 2028. But if you're applying for this status starting 20 August 2026, you'll now need to show that you're following any military duties you have back in Ukraine. If you already have the status, this new rule doesn't change anything for you. Switzerland is doing this to match what other European countries are doing.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v14Effective 20 Aug 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Protection Status S Extended with New Military Service Compliance Restriction

   The Swiss Federal Council has extended protection status S for people from Ukraine. This status will now last until 4 March 2028. The Council made this decision on 19 August 2026. A new rule also starts on 20 August 2026. New applicants for protection status S must follow their military duties in Ukraine. This rule applies to Ukrainian citizens who are old enough for military service, those on the reserve list, and those who joined the armed forces by choice. This new rule does not affect people who already have protection status S.

2. v11Effective 1 May 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   SEM resumes decisions on asylum applications from Syrians

   Starting 1 May 2026, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will again make decisions on asylum requests from Syrian people. This changes the rule from 9 December 2024. That rule stopped decisions because the situation in Syria was unstable after a change in government. The SEM's new approach comes from what it learned on a fact-finding trip and other information. It decided that there is no longer general violence in all parts of Syria. This means the SEM can look at each case by itself and may send people back. Also, the SEM is starting a new programme to help people return to Syria by choice. This programme offers an extra 1,000 Swiss francs per person. This is on top of funds from the EU Reintegration Programme (EURP), which can be up to 2,600 Euros.

3. v1Issued 12 Aug 2026ConsultationCritical impact
   More Flexibility for Cantons on Social Assistance for Protection Status S

   The Swiss Federal Council wants to change Asylum Ordinance 2. This change lets cantons set their own social assistance rules for people with protection status S who have lived in Switzerland for five years or more. It will start on 1 March 2027. This happens because the federal government will stop paying subsidies to cantons for this group on 1 January 2027. This decision is part of the 2027 relief package. Cantons can then make their support rules the same as for local people. Or they can keep lower benefits. Or they can set benefits somewhere in between. The federal government also plans to pay cantons a one-time amount of 1300 Swiss Francs. This is for emergency aid costs for each person whose protection status S is removed. This payment is only made if there is a legal decision to remove the person from Switzerland.

4. v5Effective 19 Jun 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   Federal Council approves adaptation of Asylum Planning Instrument

   On 19 June 2026, the Swiss Federal Council approved a change to the Asylum Sectoral Plan (SPA). This plan guides how asylum facilities are set up. The change adds the new object sheet TZCH-2 Buosingen to the plan. It also takes out the object sheet ZSCH-2 Schwyz (Wintersried) from the plan. This change sets the stage for planning and approving a new federal asylum centre (BAZ) in Buosingen. This centre is expected to have 170 places for people to stay. The new federal asylum centre is expected to start working in 2031.

5. v4Issued 19 Jun 2026ConsultationHigh impact
   Protection Status S after March 2027: Federal Council launches consultation

   The Swiss Federal Council started a public discussion on 19 June 2026. This discussion is about what will happen to Protection Status S after March 2027. Main ideas include keeping the status, possibly not allowing Ukrainian men who have been called for military service to have the status, and giving regions (cantons) more power to set their own rules for social help for people with Status S from March 2027. This last change is because the federal government will stop paying for people who have had Protection Status S for more than five years. This is part of the 'Entlastungspaket 2027' (Relief Package 2027). The Federal Council will make final decisions by the end of summer 2026. They will consider what different groups say and what the European Union (EU) decides.

6. v3Effective 19 Jun 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
   Asylum Strategy 2027 is on track

   Switzerland's Asylum Strategy 2027 started in December 2025. Federal, cantonal, city, and municipal authorities created it. The strategy aims to improve the asylum system. It wants to focus on people who need protection. It also wants to make the process faster for claims that are not valid. Key changes include a new procedure. This procedure will decide if an asylum application is valid under the Asylum Act. This happens before a person can access asylum services. The strategy also wants to make security better. It will allow stronger use of forceful actions against people who break rules. It also wants to make integration programmes better for women and through education. This will help the system handle changing numbers of asylum seekers. A plan for the future of Protection Status S has also been made.

7. v6Effective 1 Jul 2026EffectiveLow impact
   Temporary Federal Asylum Centre in Brugg continues operations with reduced capacity

   The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the City of Brugg, and Canton Aargau have agreed. They will extend the temporary federal asylum centre (BAZ) in Brugg. This extension starts on 1 July 2026. It will last for three more years. The center's maximum capacity for asylum seekers was 440 places. This will change to a regular capacity of 250 places. The centre can temporarily increase to 350 places. This needs approval from the Brugg city council. The decision was made with the Swiss Army. It continues using military halls for asylum accommodation.

8. v7Effective 15 Jun 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   SEM temporarily closes six federal asylum centers

   The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced on 21 May 2026, that it would temporarily close six Federal Asylum Centres (BAZ). These centres are in Thônex, Niederscherli, Aesch, Arlesheim, Sulgen, and Chiasso. This change will start by mid-June at the latest. The SEM is doing this because fewer people are applying for asylum than expected. Asylum applications are almost 20 percent lower than last year's numbers for the first four months. The closure will reduce the SEM's total number of available places by about 700. The centres will undergo minor maintenance work. They are expected to be ready again when asylum applications usually increase in the summer. Right now, 30 BAZ are open across the country, offering about 7,000 accommodation places.

9. v8Effective 12 Jun 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Federal Council enacts legal and ordinance changes from the EU Migration and Asylum Pact

   On 20 May 2026, the Swiss Federal Council approved changes to laws and rules. These changes will put parts of the new European Union (EU) Migration and Asylum Pact into effect. They will start on 12 June 2026. Switzerland is part of the Schengen and Dublin agreements. So, it will use new rules about who is responsible for an asylum request and how procedures work. These come from the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation and the updated Eurodac Regulation. Switzerland will also use a new, single screening process at the outside borders of the Schengen area. This screening will quickly identify, register, and send people to the right process. These processes include sending people back, handling asylum requests, or moving them to another Schengen country. The changes also include a way for countries to help other countries that have a lot of asylum requests. Switzerland's own rules, like AsylV 1, AsylV 3, VEV, and VZAE, will also change.

10. v9Effective 1 Jun 2026EffectiveMedium impact
    Federal Council enacts new security regulations in federal asylum centers

    The Swiss Federal Council decided on 6 May 2026, to change the Asylum Act (AsylG). These changes are about security and how federal asylum centres (BAZ) run. They start on 1 June 2026. These changes use ideas from the Oberholzer report. They put important parts of the BAZ internal rules into the Asylum Act. The changes also explain new duties and powers for the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). This is for providing housing, care, and security in the centres and at airports. Earlier, on 15 January 2023, a change to a rule had already set up temporary detention and searches. This was to stop immediate danger. It led to fewer security problems.

11. v12Effective 1 Nov 2025EffectiveHigh impact
    Practice Adjustment Western Ukraine: Overview of First Implementation Phase

    Starting 1 November 2025, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) changed its policy. The SEM handles migration matters in Switzerland. This change, called "Praxisanpassung Westukraine," now treats Ukrainian regions differently for `Protection Status S`. This is a type of temporary protection for people needing immediate safety. People from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine generally no longer have a right to Protection Status S in Switzerland. These regions are Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi. This is because Switzerland believes it is reasonable for people to return to these areas due to security. This new rule applies to new applications. It also applies to applications submitted before 1 November 2025, that were still waiting for a decision. By late February, this change directly affected 573 people.

12. v13Effective 1 Apr 2026AnnouncementMedium impact
    Federal Council examines safeguarding the well-being of children in asylum and foreign nationals law

    The Federal Council checked on 1 April 2026. It found that Swiss laws are strong enough to protect children's best interests in asylum and foreign national matters. But it saw a need to make practical things better. This includes how procedures work, where children live, their care, and their schooling. To do this, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) must create a working group. This group will look at specific child welfare issues in migration at all government levels. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) already gives priority to asylum requests from children who arrive without parents or guardians, legally called unaccompanied minors. SEM also gives these children a trusted person during the process.

Timeline

1. Action deadline

   4 Mar 2028

   Verify compliance with Ukrainian military obligations for all new applications for Protection Status S submitted on or after 20 August 2026.

2. Takes effect

   1 Mar 2027

   The Federal Council is consulting on extending Schutzstatus S beyond March 2027, potentially excluding Ukrainian conscripted men, and giving cantons more leeway in social assistance standards for Status S holders from March 2027.

3. Takes effect

   1 Mar 2027

   Cantons will gain more discretion to set the standard of social assistance for individuals with protection status S who have been in Switzerland for five years or more. The federal government will cease providing subsidies to cantons for these individuals. Additionally, a one-time federal payment to cantons for emergency aid costs, when protection status S is revoked and a removal decision is lega

4. Action deadline

   15 Oct 2026

5. Takes effect

   20 Aug 2026

   Protection status S for individuals from Ukraine is extended until 4 March 2028. However, new applications submitted on or after 20 August 2026, will only be granted to individuals who are in compliance with their military obligations in Ukraine. This restriction applies to Ukrainian nationals of conscription age, those on the reserve list, and those who have voluntarily joined the armed forces.

6. Announced

   19 Aug 2026

   The Federal Council has extended Protection Status S for Ukrainian individuals in Switzerland until 4 March 2028, ensuring continued support. Effective 20 August 2026, new applications for Protection Status S will require compliance with military obligations in Ukraine, aligning Switzerland's policy with the European Union's recent decision. This measure provides clarity for affected individuals

7. Announced

   12 Aug 2026

   The Swiss Federal Council proposes significant changes to social assistance for Protection Status S holders. Following a decision to end federal subsidies for those residing in Switzerland for five years or more, cantons will gain autonomy to define social support standards from 1 March 2027. A consultation process for the necessary amendment to Asylum Ordinance 2 has begun.

8. Takes effect

   1 Jul 2026

   The temporary federal asylum centre (BAZ) in Brugg will operate with a regular capacity of 250 places, with a temporary surge capacity of up to 350 places in extraordinary situations, in consultation with the Brugg city council.

9. Announced

   19 Jun 2026

   The Swiss Federal Council has approved a significant amendment to the Asylum Planning Instrument, incorporating a new federal asylum centre at Buosingen and removing the Schwyz location. This strategic change, effective immediately for authorities, facilitates the construction of a new 170-bed facility slated for operation by 2031. It aims to optimise federal asylum reception capacity.

10. Announced

    19 Jun 2026

    Switzerland's Asylum Strategy 2027 is moving forward, with the Federal Council recently updated on its progress. The strategy, which began implementation in December 2025, includes upcoming legislative proposals and measures to improve asylum procedures, manage Status S, address serious offenders, and boost integration efforts. Its core objectives are to focus the asylum system on those genuinely

11. Takes effect

    19 Jun 2026

    The Sachplan Asyl now includes the object sheet TZCH-2 Buosingen and no longer includes ZSCH-2 Schwyz (Wintersried). This change is binding for authorities and forms the basis for further planning and approval procedures for the Buosingen federal asylum centre.

12. Announced

    19 Jun 2026

    Switzerland's Federal Council is consulting on the future of Protection Status S beyond March 2027. This includes its continuation, potential exclusion of conscripted Ukrainian men, and increased cantonal autonomy for social assistance standards. The consultation period involves various stakeholders, with decisions anticipated by late summer 2026, targeting an effective date of 1 March 2027.

13. Announced

    16 Jun 2026

    The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), in agreement with the city of Brugg and the canton of Aargau, has extended the operation of the temporary Federal Asylum Centre in Brugg. The centre's maximum regular capacity will be reduced from 440 to 250 places, though it can be temporarily expanded to 350. This extension, effective 1 July 2026, will be for a final three years.

14. Takes effect

    12 Jun 2026

    Switzerland, as an associated Schengen-/Dublin-state, adopts parts of the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact. This includes implementing new jurisdiction criteria and procedures from the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, the revised Eurodac Regulation, and the new screening procedure according to the Screening Regulation. Specific ordinances have been adjusted to concretise these legal cha

15. Takes effect

    1 Jun 2026

    The Asylum Act (AsylG) now incorporates new security provisions and operational guidelines for federal asylum centres (BAZ). Key aspects of the BAZ house rules have been integrated into the AsylG. The tasks and competencies of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) regarding accommodation, care, and security in the centres, including airport accommodations, have been redefined and/or clarified.

16. Announced

    21 May 2026

    The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is temporarily decommissioning six federal asylum centres by mid-June 2026. This measure, affecting approximately 700 accommodation places, aims to reduce overcapacity and save costs following a significant drop in asylum applications. The centres will resume operations when a seasonal increase in applications is anticipated later in the summer.

17. Announced

    20 May 2026

    On 20 May 2026, the Swiss Federal Council approved revisions to various national ordinances to implement parts of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. These changes, alongside legal amendments passed by Parliament, will become effective on 12 June 2026. The measures aim to enhance border controls, streamline asylum procedures with a new screening process, and reduce secondary migration within the S

18. Announced

    6 May 2026

    The Swiss Federal Council has enacted amendments to the Asylum Act, effective 1 June 2026, focusing on security and operations within federal asylum centres. These changes implement recommendations from the Oberholzer report, aiming to improve safety for both asylum seekers and staff. The new regulations codify key internal rules and enhance the State Secretariat for Migration's responsibilities

19. Announced

    2 Apr 2026

    The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) implemented a policy change on 1 November 2025, distinguishing between Ukrainian regions where return is deemed reasonable for asylum seekers. Consequently, individuals from seven specific Western Ukrainian regions are generally no longer entitled to Protection Status S. This adjustment applies to both new and previously submitted, undecided applica

20. Announced

    1 Apr 2026

    The Federal Council has reviewed the safeguarding of child well-being in asylum and foreign nationals law. While existing legal foundations are deemed sufficient, the Council has identified a need for practical improvements, particularly in procedures, accommodation, care, and education. An interdepartmental working group will be convened by the Federal Department of Justice and Police to address

21. Takes effect

    1 Dec 2025

    The Asylstrategie 2027, jointly developed by the Confederation, cantons, cities, and municipalities, is being implemented since December 2025. It aims to improve and further develop the asylum system by focusing on individuals in need of protection, relieving the system from unfounded asylum applications, enhancing security in the asylum sector, strengthening integration programmes, and improving th

22. Takes effect

    1 Nov 2025

    Since 1 November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) differentiates between regions in Ukraine when processing applications for Protection Status S. Applicants from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi) generally no longer have a right to Protection Status S in Switzerland, as return to these regions i