The Federal Council has set 14 June 2026 as referendum day for the Swiss People’s Party’s (SVP) “No ten-million Switzerland” popular initiative. The proposal seeks to cap Switzerland’s permanent population at ten million—about one million below current demographic projections for 2040—by renegotiating or terminating international free-movement treaties and by imposing annual immigration ceilings.
If approved, the measure would force the government to suspend the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU unless Brussels agreed to population-linked quotas, a scenario many economists warn could jeopardise the entire package of bilateral market-access accords. Business groups, universities and cantonal authorities have already announced a joint campaign against the initiative, arguing that Switzerland’s export-driven economy relies on EU talent to fill 120,000 open positions, particularly in engineering and healthcare.
![Swiss Government Schedules 14 June Vote on ‘No Ten-Million Switzerland’ Immigration Initiative]()
Polling published this week by gfs.Bern shows voters split: 46 percent favour the cap, 44 percent oppose and 10 percent undecided—well within the margin of error. The referendum will therefore be a key political risk for global mobility managers planning medium-term staffing and investment in Switzerland. Companies may wish to accelerate pending work-permit applications and secure long-term residence for critical staff before June.
For organisations or individuals needing practical support during this uncertain period, VisaHQ can streamline visa and work-permit applications, keep applicants informed about regulatory shifts and provide country-specific guidance; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Should the initiative pass, the government would have twelve months to draft implementing legislation. That transitional period might allow HR teams to adjust talent pipelines, but the long-term uncertainty would likely dampen intra-company transfers and discourage multinationals from designating Switzerland as a regional hub.
If approved, the measure would force the government to suspend the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU unless Brussels agreed to population-linked quotas, a scenario many economists warn could jeopardise the entire package of bilateral market-access accords. Business groups, universities and cantonal authorities have already announced a joint campaign against the initiative, arguing that Switzerland’s export-driven economy relies on EU talent to fill 120,000 open positions, particularly in engineering and healthcare.
Polling published this week by gfs.Bern shows voters split: 46 percent favour the cap, 44 percent oppose and 10 percent undecided—well within the margin of error. The referendum will therefore be a key political risk for global mobility managers planning medium-term staffing and investment in Switzerland. Companies may wish to accelerate pending work-permit applications and secure long-term residence for critical staff before June.
For organisations or individuals needing practical support during this uncertain period, VisaHQ can streamline visa and work-permit applications, keep applicants informed about regulatory shifts and provide country-specific guidance; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Should the initiative pass, the government would have twelve months to draft implementing legislation. That transitional period might allow HR teams to adjust talent pipelines, but the long-term uncertainty would likely dampen intra-company transfers and discourage multinationals from designating Switzerland as a regional hub.
