Swiss net immigration drops 10.5 % in 2025, official figures show
Switzerland adopts tougher EU rules for suspending visa-free travel
Federal Council keeps 2026 quotas for third-country and UK workers unchanged
Latest News
France–Switzerland telework deal triggers new employer reporting from 1 January 2026
EY warns that, following France’s July 2025 ratification, Swiss employers must track and report French-resident employees’ telework days and salary data for 2026, with automatic information exchange due in 2027. Payroll systems, A1 certificates and telework agreements must therefore be updated immediately.
Schengen Entry/Exit System: Swiss regional airports gear up for March 2026 switchover
FOCBS says Lugano, Dübendorf and Bern-Belp airports will activate the EU Entry/Exit System by end-March 2026, completing Switzerland’s nationwide roll-out. The biometric register replaces passport stamps for third-country travellers and will tighten enforcement of the 90/180-day rule, though border queues may lengthen during the transition.
Switzerland Aligns with EU Biometric Border Controls While Canada Narrows Express Entry Pathways
On 20 February 2026 Switzerland completed the nationwide rollout of the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System, meaning all non-EU/EFTA visitors are now digitally registered on arrival. The same week Canada tightened its Express Entry immigration programme, prioritising applicants with Canadian experience and critical-skills backgrounds. Together, the moves complicate travel planning for Swiss-based multinationals and their globally mobile staff, who must now factor in extra border time, looming ETIAS pre-clearance and tougher Canadian selection rules.
EU Entry/Exit System Enters Final Phase—What the April Deadline Means for Travellers to Switzerland
Travel and Tour World’s 20 February deep-dive confirms EES is now mandatory across 29 states, including Switzerland. Zurich, Geneva and Basel airports are expanding kiosks and staff to beat April’s enforcement deadline, while companies are urged to build biometric-registration time into itineraries. The system already flags over-stayers and is the precursor to ETIAS and future digital-border tools.
Swiss-Italian Agreement Speeds Cross-Border Investigations After Crans-Montana Disaster
Prompted by the fatal Crans-Montana bar fire, Switzerland and Italy on 20 February agreed to let prosecutors cooperate in person and share digital evidence without lengthy MLA delays. The accord should accelerate investigations that involve tourists, seasonal workers and cross-border commuters, offering a new template for legal collaboration inside the Schengen area.