Switzerland’s Federal Council has closed the debate on next year’s immigration ceilings by confirming – at its 11 February meeting – that the 2026 quota for hiring non-EU/EFTA nationals will stay exactly where it is.
![Bern Keeps 2026 Work-Permit Quotas Unchanged, Signalling ‘Selective-Talent’ Approach]()
For companies and individuals needing help navigating Swiss work permits and related travel documentation, VisaHQ offers streamlined online processing, expert guidance, and real-time status tracking; you can learn more at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Employers will again have access to 8,500 places (4,500 long-term B-permits and 4,000 short-term L-permits) for highly-skilled professionals from third countries, while separate envelopes remain in force for EU/EFTA service-providers (3,500 permits) and for British workers covered by Switzerland’s post-Brexit arrangements (3,500 permits). The announcement, first reported by Swiss Observer, locks in numbers that have barely been fully utilised in recent years – utilisation has hovered below 75 % – yet remain crucial for life-science, fintech and engineering companies that cannot always find expertise inside Europe.
For companies and individuals needing help navigating Swiss work permits and related travel documentation, VisaHQ offers streamlined online processing, expert guidance, and real-time status tracking; you can learn more at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Employers will again have access to 8,500 places (4,500 long-term B-permits and 4,000 short-term L-permits) for highly-skilled professionals from third countries, while separate envelopes remain in force for EU/EFTA service-providers (3,500 permits) and for British workers covered by Switzerland’s post-Brexit arrangements (3,500 permits). The announcement, first reported by Swiss Observer, locks in numbers that have barely been fully utilised in recent years – utilisation has hovered below 75 % – yet remain crucial for life-science, fintech and engineering companies that cannot always find expertise inside Europe.
