Media releases
Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans meet with Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf
On 2 April 2026, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Algerian minister of state and foreign minister Ahmed Attaf, on an official working visit to Bern. Discussions focused on the revitalisation of cooperation between Switzerland and Algeria and on international matters. Federal Councillor Beat Jans also held talks with Mr Attaf, focusing on cooperation in the fields of migration, security and justice.
G7 summit in Évian: Confederation to contribute to security costs
The G7 summit, organised by France, will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 in Évian, near the border with Switzerland. In a context of heightened global tensions, the summit requires exceptional security measures, in Switzerland as well. The cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais have therefore asked for support from the Confederation. At its meeting on 1 April 2026, the Federal Council decided that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the three cantons.
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.
Federal Council elects Béatrice Fink Düring and Nicola Mona to the Institute Council of the IPI
The Federal Council has elected Béatrice Fink Düring and Nicola Alessandro Mona to the Institute Council of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) with effect from 1 April. Nicola Mona, a citizen of Ticino, succeeds Vincenza Trivigno, who stepped down at the end of 2025 after the Federal Council elected her as the Executive Director of Swissmedic with effect from January 2026. Béatrice Fink Düring will take over from Oliver Gassmann, who left the Institute Council at the same time.
Federal Council adopts the ‘Stabilisation and further development of Swiss–EU relations’ package
At its meeting on 13 March 2026, the Federal Council approved the dispatch to Parliament on the stabilisation and further development of Swiss–EU relations package (Bilaterals III). The Federal Council's intention with this bill is to stabilise and future-proof the tried-and-tested bilateral approach with the EU. The package is in Switzerland's interest. It ensures the continuity of economic, scientific and social relations with the EU, Switzerland's most important trading partner. In view of the tense geopolitical situation, stable and reliable relations with neighbouring European countries are of strategic importance.
Better protection for critical infrastructure in Switzerland
The Federal Council plans to strengthen protections for Switzerland's critical infrastructure against all types of failure. This includes better safeguards against cyberattacks and manipulation for the most important electronic data held by the federal government, the cantons and operators of critical infrastructure. At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council decided to press ahead with draft legislation to improve the resilience and data security of critical infrastructure, responding to two motions referred to it by Parliament.
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans to attend the Munich Security Conference
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans will attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC 26) from 13 to 15 February. In a rapidly changing security environment, this conference offers an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to strengthen Europe's security. It also provides a platform for promoting values such as peace and the rule of law.
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.
Fire in Crans-Montana: Federal Council pledges support to victims and their families
The Federal Council is committed to ensuring that the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana and their families receive adequate support. To this end, it will request funding from Parliament if necessary. It took this policy decision at its meeting on 14 January. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will examine by the end of February whether there are gaps in the existing provision of support services and how the federal government can provide assistance. The federal government’s contributions would be of a supplementary nature to complement the support provided by the insurance companies and the Valais authorities.
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.
Support for victims and relatives of the fire in Crans-Montana
The federal government and the cantonal victim support services in Switzerland are working together to ensure that those affected receive the necessary help quickly and without undue formalities, both now and in the future. The FDJP is examining whether additional measures are necessary to provide adequate support to victims and their families.
IPI wins first Swissness court case against foreign company
The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) has won a case against BDSwiss AG before the Bern Commercial Court. BDSwiss AG must now remove ‘Swiss’ from its name and the Swiss cross from its logo because it does not fulfil the legal requirements to use the Swiss indication of source.
National day of mourning in memory of the victims of Crans-Montana
This coming Friday, 9 January, will be dedicated nationwide to remembering the victims of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, showing solidarity with the injured and expressing sympathy for all those affected. On this day of mourning, President Guy Parmelin, together with Switzerland’s official religious communities, invites people across the country to observe a minute's silence and a moment of reflection. Church bells will ring throughout the country. A memorial service will take place in Martigny in the canton of Valais.
Federal Council adopts Digital Switzerland Strategy 2026
On 12 December, the Federal Council adopted the updated Digital Switzerland Strategy for 2026 and selected the new focus themes. The focus themes for next year are: digital sovereignty, digital host state and the introduction of the e-ID. This reflects the current priorities.
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.
Second round table on underground banking: Focus on global networks
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) at the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) hosted the second international round table on underground banking in Bern on 20/21 November. Experts from around the world discussed new developments, positive investigation results and strategies for combating illicit financial flows.
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.