Swiss Parliament Approves Annual Work-Permit Ceilings in Sweeping Immigration Overhaul
ETIAS Fee for Switzerland to Rise to €20, Tripling Cost for Visa-Exempt Business Travellers
Zurich Airport Completes EU Entry/Exit System Roll-Out—Biometrics Now Mandatory for Non-EU Arrivals
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Swiss Parliament Passes Landmark Immigration Overhaul Introducing Annual Work-Permit Ceilings
Early on 23 November, Switzerland’s bicameral parliament approved a historic reform that will cap the total number of work permits each year, require biometric checks at all borders and shorten asylum timelines. For businesses, the new system promises greater predictability but demands careful annual quota planning. Most changes take effect on 1 July 2026, so HR and mobility teams should begin forecasting 2026-27 head-count needs now.
ETIAS Fee for Switzerland and Schengen Partners Set to Triple to €20 from January 2026
Switzerland will mirror other Schengen members by increasing the ETIAS travel-authorisation fee from €7 to €20 on 1 January 2026. The revenue will finance cybersecurity and border-technology upgrades, while companies that cover employees’ ETIAS costs face higher travel budgets from next year.
Zurich Airport Completes Roll-Out of EU Entry/Exit System—Biometrics Now Mandatory for All Non-EU Arrivals
Zurich Airport has switched entirely to the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System, requiring non-EU travellers to enrol fingerprints and a facial image. Initial queues are longer, but repeat entries should become quicker, and companies should alert travelling staff to plan extra connection time during the bedding-in period.