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Switzerland immigration levy proposal

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2026-09-30 21:06 UTC → 2026-10-17 11:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A committee of Switzerland’s Council of States has proposed an immigration levy on workers from the European Union. This measure would be triggered only if migration increases sharply following the implementation of Bilateral Agreements III and after the Federal Council invokes a safeguard clause. The proposed fee would be at least CHF 4,000 annually per worker, though recent developments confirm the Council of States has supported a range of 2,000 to 4,000 Swiss francs. Under this plan, companies hiring EU workers would pay the fee to encourage the recruitment of local labor, while individuals arriving through family reunification would be responsible for their own costs. If the safeguard clause is activated due to significant economic or social disruptions, the levy could potentially extend to citizens from non-EU countries. The Swiss Federal Council would be required to conduct annual assessments to determine if the conditions for activating this mechanism are met, using indicators such as net immigration, cross-border worker numbers, unemployment rates, and social assistance usage. Collected funds would be redistributed among the Swiss population. While proponents argue the tax protects the domestic labor market and helps newcomers contribute to immigration-related costs, the Federal Council has previously raised legal concerns regarding compatibility with the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons and the European Convention on Human Rights. Additionally, some politicians have warned of increased administrative burdens for businesses. Expanding the debate, entrepreneur Alfred Gantner, through his alliance Kompass Europa, has proposed an alternative levy structure. Gantner’s proposal suggests a fee paid by companies over five years, calculated based on an employee’s salary. For example, an annual income of 75,000 Swiss francs would trigger a 15,000-franc levy, while an income of 300,000 francs would result in a 225,000-franc levy.

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