Soon NO immigration from EU into Switzerland?

The far right party in Switzerland is collecting signatures for a new popular initiative to cancel the free movement agreement with the EU.

Since the introduction of free movement of persons with the EU, Switzerland no longer determines who is allowed to come to Switzerland and who is not. The initiative seeks to change this. The limitation initiative would require that immigration  be regulated and controlled independently by Switzerland. The initiative would override the free movement of persons and if necessary terminate it. The Federal Council would be mandated to negotiate a suspension of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU within twelve months at the latest, after the adoption of this Initiative. If an agreement is not possible in this time, the agreement on the free movement of persons would be terminated within 30 days.

It is expected that this initiative will achieve the target of 100‘000 signatures in 18 months. The Federal Council and Parliament would approve it and it would be voted on, which could take place in about 2021 or 2022.

Already, the Federal Council is aware of the high probability of this initiative coming and is preparing the ground for restricting foreigners to the Swiss labor market where  possible according to today’s laws and agreements. It is expected, based on previous experiences with initiatives, that the Swiss voters will vote concerning this limitation initiative on an emotional level, if they feel that the Government should let only the “right” foreigners enter so that the foreigners are integrated and don’t increase crime in Switzerland.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with further questions on the tighter application of the law and regulations for immigration.