Switzerland May Change Protection Rules for Ukrainians After 2027: What Do We Know?

Switzerland is discussing the future of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees after 2027. Find out why the cantons oppose an automatic transition to a B permit, which rules might change, and what this will mean for Ukrainians in the country

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Switzerland may review the residency arrangements for Ukrainian refugees once their temporary protection expires in 2027. Some cantons have already spoken out against automatically transferring Ukrainians from S protection status to a Category B residence permit. The reason is the financial burden on the regions and concerns that the temporary mechanism will effectively become a permanent path to residency in the country.

This is stated in a press release from the Central Swiss Government Conference (Zentralschweizer Regierungskonferenz).

Read also: The EU may extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2028 — what is known?

What does S status mean for Ukrainians in Switzerland?

After the start of the full-scale war, Switzerland activated special S protection status for Ukrainians. It allows them to legally reside in the country, receive social assistance, health insurance, and access to education and the labor market without going through the standard asylum procedure.

Currently, tens of thousands of Ukrainians in Switzerland hold this status. Under current rules, once temporary protection expires in March 2027, holders of S status may potentially be automatically transferred to a Category B residence permit.

It is this prospect that has sparked debate among cantonal authorities.

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Why are Swiss cantons opposed to the automatic transition to a B permit?

A number of cantons believe that automatically granting a B permit contradicts the very logic of temporary protection. In their view, a mechanism created as an emergency measure during wartime should not automatically become a model for permanent residence.

The financial aspect is a particular source of dissatisfaction for the regions. Cantonal representatives claim that the federal government is gradually reducing its own funding for support to Ukrainians, while local authorities may face higher costs after people transition to B status.

This primarily concerns social benefits, housing support, and integration programs. The level of assistance varies across cantons, and therefore the regions want to be granted more authority in determining the rules for social support.

What might change for Ukrainians after 2027?

If the Swiss government revises the current approach, after the expiration of S status, Ukrainians may need to go through standard legalization procedures instead of automatically transitioning to a B permit.

This means that decisions regarding the right to continued residence may be made on a case-by-case basis — taking into account employment, level of integration, income, or other grounds for staying in the country.

Changes to the social assistance system are also possible. The cantons insist on determining the level of support for Ukrainians on their own if they are to bear the main financial burden.

As a result, the amount of benefits and the conditions for assistance may vary depending on the region of residence.

Over 30,000 Ukrainians may face new rules

The Swiss federal government’s upcoming decision will directly affect the fate of over 30,000 Ukrainians currently in the country with S status. No final decisions have been made yet, but the discussion regarding the future of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland has already reached the political level.

The immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine advise Ukrainians planning to remain in the country after 2027 to start monitoring changes in legislation now and prepare documents confirming their integration, employment, or studies.

Ukrainians currently abroad or planning to move to European countries should also arrange health insurance in advance. You can purchase a policy for travel abroad online through Visit Ukraine — this provides the necessary coverage for travel and legal residence in many European countries.

At this time, the Swiss federal government has not officially announced any changes to the rules for Ukrainians after 2027. However, the stance of the cantons suggests that the debate over the future of S status will only intensify in the coming months. The key issue remains the balance between temporary protection, the integration of Ukrainians, and the financial capabilities of the regions.

We remind you! Switzerland has clarified the rules for granting temporary protection to Ukrainians who previously held status in EU or EFTA countries. Read in which cases an application for S status may be rejected and what this means for Ukrainian refugees.

Photo: kavalenkava / Freepik

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