Foreign-born population – 2025 | 32.9% of the population | Main countries of birth: Germany (13%), Italy (9%), Portugal (7%) |
Size: 2.9 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2015: +25% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Switzerland received 132 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), ‑2.4% compared to 2024. This figure comprises 77% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 2% labour migrants, 15% family members (including accompanying family) and 7% humanitarian migrants. Around 6 100 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 3 100 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
Germany, France and Italy were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Afghanistan registered the strongest increase (2 900) and Germany the largest decrease (‑1 700) in flows to Switzerland compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants was stable at around 23 000. The majority of applicants came from Afghanistan (5 300), Eritrea (3 300) and Türkiye (2 100). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Eritrea (1 400) and the largest decrease nationals of Türkiye (‑1 700). Of the 21 000 decisions taken in 2025, 53% were positive.
Emigration of Swiss citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2024, to 10 000. Approximately 21% of this group migrated to Spain, 18% to Germany and 8% to Portugal.
The Swiss Federal Council has confirmed unchanged quotas in 2026 for non-EU/EFTA nationals, EU/EFTA service providers (over 120 days) and UK nationals based on economic forecasts and quota usage.
In November 2025 all three levels of the Swiss Government jointly reviewed the performance of the asylum system. They reaffirmed their commitment to the present framework, but also identified areas where action is needed to further develop and improve the system. This includes, among other things, exploring an early screening process to prevent individuals with no protection needs from entering the asylum system as well as efforts to improve its ability to deal with individuals who have committed criminal offences.
In August 2026, the Federal Council extended protection status S for displaced persons from Ukraine until 4 March 2028, aligning its practice with that of the EU. At the same time, additional restrictions complemented a 2025 revised eligibility framework for new applicants; since 31 July 2026, compliance with the military obligations applicable in Ukraine is observed.
In parallel with the extension of status S, the Federal Council prolonged federal financial support for cantonal integration measures under Programme S until March 2028. Persons who, after five years’ residence in Switzerland, are granted a long-term residence permit linked to protection status S are entitled to integration support under the cantonal integration programmes. Subject to certain conditions, persons in need of protection may obtain a hardship-based long-term residence permit independent of protection status S.
In March 2026, the Federal Council opened a consultation on amendments to several ordinances aimed at strengthening labour-market integration. The proposed changes include granting labour-market access to persons with pending status S applications, expanding the use of federal integration funding for employability measures and placing the Integrationsvorlehre (INVOL) vocational preparatory programme on a permanent footing.
From 1 January 2025 Croatian nationals enjoyed full free movement of persons as it applies to nationals of the other EU member states. The conditions for activating the unilateral safeguard clause in 2026 were not met in accordance with the transitional arrangements.
In April 2025, the Federal Council decided to extend Switzerland’s resettlement programme until the end of 2027. The programme continued to constitute a key legal pathway for refugee admission.
Switzerland continued preparations for the implementation of the digital Schengen visa procedure following the Federal Council’s earlier approval of the relevant legislative amendments.
On 12 June 2026, Switzerland started to apply the EU Pact of Migration and Asylum and the new related legal framework.
On 14 June 2026, Swiss citizens voted on the popular initiative: “No to a Switzerland with 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)”. The initiative was rejected by 54.8% against 45.2%.
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