The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has warned that Switzerland may re-activate safeguard quotas for Croatian nationals hired on local Swiss contracts from 1 January 2026. Under the accession protocol that extended free movement to Croatia, Bern can impose caps if immigration exceeds annual thresholds—set this year at 2,004 B-permits and 1,116 L-permits.
Preliminary data show that Croatian B-permit numbers are running high, raising the prospect that the Federal Council could revive the 2023/24 caps of 1,150 B- and 1,007 L-permits. A final decision is expected by mid-January once full-year statistics are released.
![Switzerland Signals Possible 2026 Quotas for Croatian Workers Under Safeguard Clause]()
Multinationals have leveraged the current quota-free regime to second IT, finance and engineering staff from Croatian service centres to Swiss headquarters. Renewed limits would force HR teams to explore alternatives such as intra-company transfer (ICT) permits—which are exempt from the safeguard—or split-site models that keep employees on Croatian payrolls.
Cantonal authorities say they could implement quota controls with just two weeks’ notice, likely on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers are therefore advised to assemble documentation, schedule medicals and pre-book biometric appointments now to stay ahead of rivals in January.
Industry lobbies warn that tech and life-science clusters would be hit hardest; Croatian nationals accounted for 12 % of new hires in Zurich’s ICT sector this year. SEM counters that the safeguard clause was designed precisely to smooth labour-market shocks and stresses that no final decision has yet been taken.
Preliminary data show that Croatian B-permit numbers are running high, raising the prospect that the Federal Council could revive the 2023/24 caps of 1,150 B- and 1,007 L-permits. A final decision is expected by mid-January once full-year statistics are released.
Multinationals have leveraged the current quota-free regime to second IT, finance and engineering staff from Croatian service centres to Swiss headquarters. Renewed limits would force HR teams to explore alternatives such as intra-company transfer (ICT) permits—which are exempt from the safeguard—or split-site models that keep employees on Croatian payrolls.
Cantonal authorities say they could implement quota controls with just two weeks’ notice, likely on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers are therefore advised to assemble documentation, schedule medicals and pre-book biometric appointments now to stay ahead of rivals in January.
Industry lobbies warn that tech and life-science clusters would be hit hardest; Croatian nationals accounted for 12 % of new hires in Zurich’s ICT sector this year. SEM counters that the safeguard clause was designed precisely to smooth labour-market shocks and stresses that no final decision has yet been taken.
