In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Swiss Federal Council announced an extension of Protection Status S until at least March 4, 2027 for individuals from Ukraine seeking protection in Switzerland. This status grants temporary protection to individuals fleeing the conflict, along with access to key support services and integration programs.
The decision, made during a meeting held by the Federal Council on October 8, 2025, reflects Switzerland’s assessment that a safe return to Ukraine remains unrealistic in the medium term due to continued Russian attacks and lack of lasting peace. The extension offers security and planning certainty to both those affected and the Swiss authorities responsible for their support. The Federal Council emphasized that the situation will be reassessed if conditions in Ukraine significantly improve.
Aligning with EU policy.
As part of the Schengen area, Switzerland continues to coordinate its refugee policy with the European Union. In June 2025, the EU agreed to extend temporary protection for individuals fleeing Ukraine until March 2027. Switzerland’s move mirrors this decision, ensuring a harmonized approach across Europe.
New regional eligibility distinctions.
Following a parliamentary motion, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) now distinguishes between regions in Ukraine where return is considered “reasonable” or “unreasonable.” This affects future applicants for Status S but does not impact those who already hold it or their family members still in Ukraine.
Currently, regions such as Lviv, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, and Ivano-Frankivsk are considered safe for return. While applications from these areas may be rejected, individuals can still be temporarily admitted to Switzerland or seek asylum under the standard procedure. SEM will regularly review and update the list of “safe” regions as the situation evolves.
These changes will come into effect on November 1, 2025, and will also apply retroactively to pending applications. Additionally, Status S holders will now be allowed to stay in Ukraine for up to 15 days per half-year, instead of the current 15 days per quarter.
Lastly, Programme S integration measures will be extended in line with the protection status timeline. The federal government will continue to allocate CHF 3,000 per person per year to support these efforts at the cantonal level.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
