The Swiss Federal Council has approved a package of short- and medium-term measures to intensify controls at the country’s external borders, with an immediate focus on the southern frontier to Italy. The decision implements twin parliamentary motions adopted earlier this year that instruct the government to curb cross-border crime and ensure that migrants who enter without valid papers and do **not** request asylum are systematically returned.
Under the plan, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) will redeploy roughly 300 customs specialists who already hold security training and will now receive access to sensitive law-enforcement databases. Because the extra personnel are drawn from within existing head-count, the step can be executed within days and without additional budget. The government nevertheless signalled that a longer-term increase in staffing and technology—such as additional cameras, drones and license-plate readers—is being examined to sustain higher surveillance levels beyond the 2025/26 winter migration peak.
![Federal Council Orders Targeted Reinforcement of Swiss Border Controls]()
Travellers and corporate mobility teams looking for an extra layer of certainty when preparing documents can use VisaHQ’s digital platform. The service provides up-to-date guidance on Swiss and Italian visa requirements, helps assemble the correct paperwork and even arranges courier delivery of completed applications—details are available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/.
Operationally, the upgraded posture will concentrate on road and rail corridors in Ticino and the neighbouring Grisons valleys, where most irregular entries are recorded. The FOCBS will expand mixed patrols with cantonal police forces and step-up information-sharing with Italian counterparts. At the same time, Bern insisted that legitimate flows of people and freight must remain as smooth as possible to protect the economy, which relies on daily cross-border commuters and just-in-time supply chains.
For global mobility managers, the announcement signals tighter spot checks for international employees who commute from Italy or arrive by car or train via Milan. Companies should remind staff to carry residence permits and work contracts at all times and allow extra time for possible inspections. Relocation advisers also note that the federal emphasis on returning non-compliant travellers underlines Switzerland’s continued political priority of preserving Schengen membership while answering domestic pressure for stricter migration management.
Under the plan, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) will redeploy roughly 300 customs specialists who already hold security training and will now receive access to sensitive law-enforcement databases. Because the extra personnel are drawn from within existing head-count, the step can be executed within days and without additional budget. The government nevertheless signalled that a longer-term increase in staffing and technology—such as additional cameras, drones and license-plate readers—is being examined to sustain higher surveillance levels beyond the 2025/26 winter migration peak.
Travellers and corporate mobility teams looking for an extra layer of certainty when preparing documents can use VisaHQ’s digital platform. The service provides up-to-date guidance on Swiss and Italian visa requirements, helps assemble the correct paperwork and even arranges courier delivery of completed applications—details are available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/.
Operationally, the upgraded posture will concentrate on road and rail corridors in Ticino and the neighbouring Grisons valleys, where most irregular entries are recorded. The FOCBS will expand mixed patrols with cantonal police forces and step-up information-sharing with Italian counterparts. At the same time, Bern insisted that legitimate flows of people and freight must remain as smooth as possible to protect the economy, which relies on daily cross-border commuters and just-in-time supply chains.
For global mobility managers, the announcement signals tighter spot checks for international employees who commute from Italy or arrive by car or train via Milan. Companies should remind staff to carry residence permits and work contracts at all times and allow extra time for possible inspections. Relocation advisers also note that the federal emphasis on returning non-compliant travellers underlines Switzerland’s continued political priority of preserving Schengen membership while answering domestic pressure for stricter migration management.
