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Switzerland extends protection status S for Ukrainians until 2027
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to maintain temporary protection for people from Ukraine until 4 March 2027.
The decision, announced on 8 October 2025, comes in response to the continuing instability in Ukraine.
At the same time, the government extended “Programme S”, which funds language courses, job support and integration measures for Ukrainians living in Switzerland.
Why protection status S has been extended
According to the Federal Council, safe and stable return to Ukraine cannot yet be expected despite ongoing international peace efforts.
Russian attacks continue in many regions, and the conditions for lifting temporary protection remain unmet.
“The ongoing instability and security risks mean that the criteria for maintaining protection status S remain fully justified,” the government stated.
What this means for Ukrainians in Switzerland
For more than 66 000 people currently holding status S, this decision provides clarity and continuity:
- the status remains valid at least until 4 March 2027;
- no action is required — it is extended automatically;
- access to integration programmes continues;
- employment, education and social rights remain unchanged.
The government emphasises that this decision offers stability and predictability both for Ukrainians and for cantonal, communal and employer structures.
New rules for future applicants
Starting 1 November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will introduce a “regional approach” when assessing new applications for status S.
Ukraine will be divided into:
- regions where return is considered reasonable, and
- regions where return remains unsafe.
Currently, return is deemed possible to the following oblasts:
Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi.
Applicants from these “safer” regions may be refused protection status S.
In such cases, SEM will assess each file individually and may grant temporary admission (F permit) or suggest applying for asylum under the regular procedure.
These new rules do not affect people who already hold status S — their protection remains in place.
Short visits to Ukraine
From 1 November, holders of status S will be allowed to stay in Ukraine for up to 15 days per half-year (previously 15 days per quarter).
Continued support under “Programme S”
The Federal Council also extended the integration support measures introduced in April 2022.
The federal government will continue to contribute CHF 3 000 per person per year to the cantons to fund:
- language learning,
- education and re-training,
- and labour-market integration.
Coordination with the EU
The Swiss decision is aligned with that of the European Union, whose member states also extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027, ensuring a harmonised approach across the Schengen area.
What’s next
The Federal Council will continue to monitor developments in Ukraine.
If long-term stability and safety are achieved, the government may revise the status earlier.
For now, Ukrainians in Switzerland can count on continued protection, integration opportunities and security at least until spring 2027.
Source:
Federal Council – “No lifting of protection status S”, Bern, 8 October 2025
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