What’s Switzerland’s problem with EU free movement?

Talks between Switzerland and the European Union have hit a wall over immigration. But why is Switzerland seeking to limit free movement?

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As Switzerland and the EU work to streamline their relations, talks that resumed in March this year have highlighted freedom of movement as a major sticking point, with a so-called ‘safeguard clause’ at the centre of the debate.

What is the ‘Safeguard Clause’?
Under current and previous agreements with the EU, the Swiss government has been allowed to invoke a ‘safeguard clause’ to limit the free movement of people from certain EU countries into Switzerland for a certain period of time. 
Put simply, this mechanism is designed to protect the labour market and the country’s social welfare system in the event of a sudden rise in immigration from those countries.
READ MORE: EU and Switzerland in deadlock over ‘safeguard’ clause on immigration?
The clause has been invoked twice in the past decade:
In 2017, it was used to cap the number of migrants from Bulgaria and Romania after workers from those two countries benefitted from freedom of movement.
In 2023, it was applied to limit the number of Croatian nationals entering the country to live and work after it found the number of Croatians working in Switzerland saw a sharp increase.

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What Is the Swiss government’s position?
The Swiss government wants to retain the safeguard clause for its new deal with the EU, viewing it as a pragmatic compromise with the EU.
Bern wants to be able to unilaterally suspend free movement in certain circumstances, which could include, according to observers, high unemployment or a mass influx of European workers.
On one hand, Switzerland benefits from the entry of skilled workers and the economic advantages they bring. 
On the other, the clause allows the government to address the concerns of citizens who feel that unchecked migration could threaten social cohesion and strain public resources.
This balanced approach is designed to appeal to both supporters and opponents of immigration within Switzerland. 
So, What is Switzerland’s Problem with Free Movement?
At its core, the issue of free movement—and the safeguard clause—represents a delicate balancing act for Switzerland.
On one hand, free movement is vital for addressing chronic labour shortages and ensuring the country’s future prosperity. 
READ MORE: ‘We pay our taxes’: Foreigners in Switzerland troubled by rise in hostility
On the other hand, many Swiss citizens see free movement as contributing to the country’s social and economic challenges. The Swiss people will soon vote on whether to limit the population through stopping immigration. If the vote passes it would clearly have an impact on Switzerland’s relations with the EU.
 
 
What is the position of the European Union?
The European Union has rejected Switzerland’s demand to retain the safeguard clause, viewing it as a one-sided proposal.
That looks like a very steep mountain path, because it is a request that was not anticipated when the negotiations began,” Rene Schwok, a professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Geneva, told AFP.
For Brussels, it is “a step too far”, according to an internal European Commission memo cited by Swiss newspaper Blick.
For the EU, the free movement of people is a core value, and allowing Switzerland to impose restrictions on this principle threatens the stability of bilateral relations. 
This issue isn’t just about Switzerland—it could set a precedent for how other EU countries might attempt to limit free movement within the bloc. 

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Who are the supporters and opponents of the clause within Switzerland?
The most vocal opponents of free movement in Switzerland are right-wing and populist parties such as the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). 
In 2020, the SVP launched a referendum to limit EU migration altogether, which was rejected by over 60 percent of Swiss voters.
Several labour unions also support the safeguard clause, citing the need to protect Swiss workers’ rights and prevent wage dumping.
The University of Geneva’s Rene Schwok said support for the safeguard clause now goes beyond the hard-right Swiss People’s party.
“Other parties are now in favour of a clause: parties on the right, the centre-right and even some of the Socialists, because they feel the public thinks immigration is too high,” he said.
READ MORE: Facts and figures: How immigrants in Switzerland make a positive contribution
On the other hand, business leaders and pro-EU political parties like the Social Democrats (SP) and FDP.The Liberals (FDP/PLR) argue in favour of free movement.
They believe immigration is crucial for sectors like healthcare, construction, and technology, where foreign workers fill key labour gaps. In their view, limiting EU immigration could harm Switzerland’s economy and reduce its global competitiveness.
Switzerland has been part of the EU’s Schengen open-borders area since 2008.
Around a quarter of Switzerland’s residents are foreigners. Of those, 72 percent are from the EU or from Switzerland’s three fellow European Free Trade Association countries – Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

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#Politics
#European Union

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As Switzerland and the EU work to streamline their relations, talks that resumed in March this year have highlighted freedom of movement as a major sticking point, with a so-called ‘safeguard clause’ at the centre of the debate.
What is the ‘Safeguard Clause’?
Under current and previous agreements with the EU, the Swiss government has been allowed to invoke a ‘safeguard clause’ to limit the free movement of people from certain EU countries into Switzerland for a certain period of time. 
Put simply, this mechanism is designed to protect the labour market and the country’s social welfare system in the event of a sudden rise in immigration from those countries.
READ MORE: EU and Switzerland in deadlock over ‘safeguard’ clause on immigration?
The clause has been invoked twice in the past decade:
In 2017, it was used to cap the number of migrants from Bulgaria and Romania after workers from those two countries benefitted from freedom of movement.
In 2023, it was applied to limit the number of Croatian nationals entering the country to live and work after it found the number of Croatians working in Switzerland saw a sharp increase.
What Is the Swiss government’s position?
The Swiss government wants to retain the safeguard clause for its new deal with the EU, viewing it as a pragmatic compromise with the EU.
Bern wants to be able to unilaterally suspend free movement in certain circumstances, which could include, according to observers, high unemployment or a mass influx of European workers.
On one hand, Switzerland benefits from the entry of skilled workers and the economic advantages they bring. 
On the other, the clause allows the government to address the concerns of citizens who feel that unchecked migration could threaten social cohesion and strain public resources.
This balanced approach is designed to appeal to both supporters and opponents of immigration within Switzerland. 
So, What is Switzerland’s Problem with Free Movement?
At its core, the issue of free movement—and the safeguard clause—represents a delicate balancing act for Switzerland.
On one hand, free movement is vital for addressing chronic labour shortages and ensuring the country’s future prosperity. 
READ MORE: ‘We pay our taxes’: Foreigners in Switzerland troubled by rise in hostility
On the other hand, many Swiss citizens see free movement as contributing to the country’s social and economic challenges. The Swiss people will soon vote on whether to limit the population through stopping immigration. If the vote passes it would clearly have an impact on Switzerland’s relations with the EU.
 
 
What is the position of the European Union?
The European Union has rejected Switzerland’s demand to retain the safeguard clause, viewing it as a one-sided proposal.
That looks like a very steep mountain path, because it is a request that was not anticipated when the negotiations began,” Rene Schwok, a professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Geneva, told AFP.
For Brussels, it is “a step too far”, according to an internal European Commission memo cited by Swiss newspaper Blick.
For the EU, the free movement of people is a core value, and allowing Switzerland to impose restrictions on this principle threatens the stability of bilateral relations. 
This issue isn’t just about Switzerland—it could set a precedent for how other EU countries might attempt to limit free movement within the bloc. 
Who are the supporters and opponents of the clause within Switzerland?
The most vocal opponents of free movement in Switzerland are right-wing and populist parties such as the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). 
In 2020, the SVP launched a referendum to limit EU migration altogether, which was rejected by over 60 percent of Swiss voters.
Several labour unions also support the safeguard clause, citing the need to protect Swiss workers’ rights and prevent wage dumping.
The University of Geneva’s Rene Schwok said support for the safeguard clause now goes beyond the hard-right Swiss People’s party.
“Other parties are now in favour of a clause: parties on the right, the centre-right and even some of the Socialists, because they feel the public thinks immigration is too high,” he said.
READ MORE: Facts and figures: How immigrants in Switzerland make a positive contribution
On the other hand, business leaders and pro-EU political parties like the Social Democrats (SP) and FDP.The Liberals (FDP/PLR) argue in favour of free movement.
They believe immigration is crucial for sectors like healthcare, construction, and technology, where foreign workers fill key labour gaps. In their view, limiting EU immigration could harm Switzerland’s economy and reduce its global competitiveness.
Switzerland has been part of the EU’s Schengen open-borders area since 2008.
Around a quarter of Switzerland’s residents are foreigners. Of those, 72 percent are from the EU or from Switzerland’s three fellow European Free Trade Association countries – Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.