Protection status S after March 2027: Federal Council launches consultation
Bern, 19.06.2026 — The Federal Council acknowledges the ‘Future of protection status S’ proposal, which states that extending protection status S beyond March 2027 may continue to ensure effective protection and relieve pressure on the asylum system. The Federal Council will make a decision on this in the summer, following consultation with the relevant stakeholders. In addition, the Federal Council is considering whether to exclude Ukrainian men liable for military service from protection status S in future. At its meeting on 19 June, it also decided to give the cantons greater discretion regarding social assistance.
As there is no short- or medium-term prospect of a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine, protection status S should be extended beyond March 2027. The Federal Council therefore launched a consultation on the ‘Future of protection status S’ proposal with the cantons, local associations, social partners and other state and non-state stakeholders on 19 June. In addition to discussing the future of protection status S, the Federal Council is simultaneously consulting the relevant stakeholders on a potential future restriction for Ukrainian men liable for military service. This is because the EU is currently considering whether to extend temporary protection with a possible restriction for these men.
Continued close coordination with the EU
Switzerland has to date coordinated closely with the EU on protection status S and will continue to do so. This close coordination is primarily intended to prevent secondary migration between European countries. Switzerland is closely monitoring discussions across Europe and examining whether Swiss practice should be adapted in line with any relevant decisions taken by the EU.
A restriction to protection status S for men liable for military service would require an amendment to the Federal Council’s general ruling of 8 October 2025 on the granting of temporary protection in relation to the situation in Ukraine. Depending on the outcome of the consultation and any EU decisions, the Federal Council will decide by the end of summer on the future of protection status S – and whether the general ruling should be amended. Following the implementation of the Friedli motion (24.3378), SEM has already restricted protection status S to individuals whose last place of residence was in occupied or contested regions of Ukraine.
Status of implementation work on the future of protection status S
At the national asylum conference on 28 November 2025, SEM, the cantons, cities and communes were tasked with proposing clear regulations for the future of protection status S. On 19 June, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) updated the Federal Council on the status of this work. The next step will be for the cantons, local organisations, social partners and other state and non-state stakeholders to comment on the proposal. The proposal covers three potential scenarios: retaining protection status S; fully revoking protection status S in the event of a stable ceasefire; and phasing out protection status S in the event of ongoing conflict. The proposal sets out the operational implications and the financial and staffing requirements for the federal government and cantons, as well as providing a basis for decision-making.
Social assistance: Federal Council wants to give cantons greater discretion
Parliament approved the 2027 relief package during this year’s spring session. The package is due to come into force on 1 January – subject to the referendum period, which runs until 9 July. This means that the Confederation will no longer provide the cantons with federal subsidies for individuals who have held protection status S for more than five years. Consequently, the Confederation will no longer have the authority to impose requirements on the cantons regarding social assistance levels for these individuals. This will place an additional financial burden on the cantons. The Federal Council would therefore like to give the cantons greater discretion, so that they can set support standards individually under their cantonal law from March 2027.
Amendment to Asylum Ordinance No 2 planned for 1 March 2027
The Federal Council intends to amend Asylum Ordinance No 2 accordingly. This will give the cantons the authority to determine their own social assistance levels in future. Should protection status S ever be revoked, persons in need of protection would only be entitled to emergency aid. The Federal Council must therefore set the level of flat-rate emergency aid subsidies that the federal government will pay to the cantons to cover any emergency costs arising after a legally binding removal order has been issued. This will also require an amendment to Asylum Ordinance No 2. The consultation on this ordinance amendment is scheduled to launch in autumn 2026, with entry into force envisaged for 1 March 2027.
Finally, the Federal Council has also tasked the FDJP with launching a consultation on extending protection status S, which provides support for individuals from Ukraine in need of protection, beyond March 2027.