Agreement on the free movement of persons with the EU – How the Bundesrat intends to restrict immigration in future

5 comments

1. Most importantly, a C permit will be granted automatically after 5 years without a language test, as is the norm everywhere else in the EU. After 15 years in Switzerland, I am still on a B permit. Now, make it into law and give me my well-deserved C permit.

2. What will this mean for instance for German passport holders wanting to move to Switzerland to live and work?

3. Oh no the word “immigration” is in the title.

   Thread will be locked in 3…2…1…

4. The safeguard clause was already present in the previous agreements, and proved to be wholly insufficient in tackling the issue, and federal authorities refused to enact it.

   So I hope I can be excused if I do not have much confidence in its effectiveness.

5. Despite the title, much depends on the specific measures involved, which remain quite vague and can fall into a very broad range. For example, an immigrant’s right to stay in Switzerland might be limited if they lose their job or are actively seeking one. While not ideal (from the immigrant’s point of view), such measures can be perfectly reasonable. On the other hand, broad immigration restrictions (e.g. a cap on permits) that disregard individual qualifications and the needs of Swiss society seem a lot less justifiable. So in the end, it will depend on the actual measures.

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