Switzerland revises its protection rules: which Ukrainians are denied S status and what changes for others
8 October 16:46
Switzerland is restricting the S protective status for Ukrainians from a number of regions that are not part of the war zone in Ukraine. This decision was made on October 8, 2025, by the Federal Council, the ATS press agency reports.
Komersant investigated which regions of Ukraine may be deported from Switzerland, which categories of refugees the country has extended protection for, and what benefits and support IDPs can expect in this country.
On Wednesday, the Federal Council said that the security situation in Ukraine remains unstable in the medium term. Therefore, Ukrainians cannot return to their country without risking their lives and health. In this regard, the national government extended the S status until March 4, 2027.
What is the S protection status in Switzerland?
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Switzerland activated the mechanism of temporary collective protection – S status – for the first time in history. It is intended for Ukrainians fleeing the war and provides most of the basic rights necessary for safe living, work and integration in the country.
The right to reside. S status grants a residence permit for a period of one year, which is automatically extended as long as military operations in Ukraine continue or there is a risk to life and safety. Ukrainians can live in any canton determined by the authorities or later apply for a change of residence.
Right to work. People with S status have the right to work in Switzerland as employees or self-employed. Work permits are issued in a simplified manner, without lengthy administrative procedures. This makes it possible to quickly adapt, provide for themselves financially and integrate into the economic life of the country.
Education and integration. Ukrainian children are entitled to free education in Swiss schools. For adults, there are language courses and integration programs that help them better navigate society and find a job in their specialty.
Health insurance. Everyone with S status must take out compulsory health insurance. The policy covers basic medical services, and its cost is partially or fully compensated by the state if a person does not have sufficient income.
Social assistance. Those who do not have a stable income are provided with financial support – assistance for accommodation, food, transportation, and basic needs. The amount of benefits varies from canton to canton. Social assistance is granted after an assessment of the family’s financial situation.
Movement and travel abroad. S status allows you to move freely in Switzerland and travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days without the need for a visa. However, an additional permit is required for longer stays or moving to another EU country.
Family reunification. Ukrainians with S status can be reunited with their immediate family members – spouse, children, and in some cases, parents. An application for reunification is submitted to the migration authorities of the canton.
Although the S status is temporary, it is extended as long as Ukraine remains a war zone or returning poses a security risk. If the Swiss government recognizes the situation as stable, the status can be gradually canceled by offering a transition period or the possibility of applying for another type of residence permit.
S status has become an alternative to the lengthy asylum procedure for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. It allows for quick legal protection, access to work, healthcare, and education, while remaining a flexible mechanism with no restrictions on long-term stay in the country while the war is ongoing.
As of the end of August 2024 and in other Swiss reports, about 66,000 people have S status. As of May 2025, more than 69,000 people have already received this status.
Which Ukrainians may be deported from Switzerland
At the request of the Parliament, the Federal Council decided to limit the granting of protection status to the occupied regions or war zones.
This does not apply to persons who have already been granted S status in Switzerland and their family members who still reside in Ukraine.
The resolution is currently in force for residents of:
- Volyn,
- Rivne, and
- Lviv, and
- Ternopil, Lviv, and
- Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ternopil, Lviv, Zakarpattia,
- Ivano-Frankivsk,
- Chernivtsi
regions who have taken refuge in Switzerland as refugees.
The authorities justify this decision by saying that there are no active hostilities in these regions, and the level of threat to civilians is assessed as low.
The new regulation comes into force on November 1. It applies to all applications for S status processed after that date, even if they were filed earlier.
How it will affect Ukrainians
It is estimated that about 36% of Ukrainian refugees who have arrived since July 2022 may be from regions that are potentially considered “safe” (based on the Norwegian model). These are those who could be denied S status under the new conditions.
For Ukrainian citizens from these regions, the possibility of obtaining S status remains only in exceptional cases – if a person can prove personal threat, persecution, or the impossibility of safe return. In other cases, requests for protection may be rejected or considered on an individual basis without automatic authorization.
At the same time, those Ukrainians who are already in Switzerland under the protection of S status will be able to stay in the country until a separate decision is made to terminate the program.
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Switzerland changes rules for refugees from Ukraine: reaction and criticism
Some Swiss human rights organizations criticized the move, noting that even in the so-called “safe” regions of Ukraine, missile attacks continue and civilians remain at risk.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community in Switzerland also expressed concern that the new rules could create legal uncertainty for people who fled the war but do not have documents to prove a personal threat.
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