Media releases
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.
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.
3rd MROS Crypto Symposium: Focus on international cooperation
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) at the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) held the 3rd Crypto Symposium on 3 November in Zug. Experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the latest developments and challenges associated with virtual assets in the context of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts.
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.
Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.
Cybercrime: the AKIRA group steps up its activities
Joint press release from the OAG, fedpol, and the NCSC - In recent months, the hacker group AKIRA has stepped up its activities in Switzerland. Around two hundred companies have been victims of ransomware attacks, with damages currently amounting to several millions of Swiss francs, and to several hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide. Since April 2024, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has been conducting criminal proceedings. The investigation is being coordinated by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), in close cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the authorities in several other countries that are affected. The Swiss authorities stress the importance of contacting them before taking any action and of the need to file a criminal complaint.
Switzerland and Greece sign migration agreement
Switzerland has been supporting Greece since 2022 as part of its second contribution in the area of migration. During his visit to Athens on 13 and 14 October, State Secretary for Migration Vincenzo Mascioli signed an agreement with Greece's Minister of Migration Thanos Plevris to continue this support. State Secretary Mascioli also visited projects supported by Switzerland in Athens and on the island of Lesbos, and exchanged views with the Greek migration authorities and representatives of non-governmental organisations.
Switzerland introduces Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will make it possible to register third-country nationals electronically when they enter or leave the Schengen area. The EES will be gradually introduced throughout the Schengen area from 12 October. Switzerland will begin by using the EES at Basel and Geneva Airports on 12 October, followed by Zurich Airport and the smaller airports from mid-November.