Switzerland has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2027: new rules and important changes

Switzerland has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2027, but has changed the conditions for granting it. Find out who will retain S status, which regions are considered safe for return, and how to avoid being denied protection extension

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The Swiss Federal Council has decided to extend temporary protection status S for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2027. This status gives Ukrainians the right to legally reside in the country, receive social support, work, and study. At the same time, the government has made several significant changes to the conditions for granting this status.

Why Switzerland extended temporary protection

The government explained its decision by saying that the situation in Ukraine remains unstable and that the safe return of citizens is currently impossible. That is why not only the S status but also all support programs for Ukrainians, including funding for integration measures, have been extended.

Under the S Integration Support program, the state will continue to allocate 3,000 Swiss francs per person per year for language training, education, and employment. These funds are intended to facilitate the adaptation of Ukrainians to life in Switzerland.

New conditions for obtaining S status

One of the main innovations is that temporary protection will no longer be granted automatically to all Ukrainian citizens. Now the government will take into account the region from which the applicant comes.

From November 1, 2025, a distinction will be made between regions where return is considered:

● permissible — i.e., relatively safe;

● inadmissible — i.e., where hostilities are ongoing or there is a real threat to life.

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Regions to which return is considered permissible

Currently, these are the following regions of Ukraine: Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi.

Persons originating from these regions may be denied S status unless they can prove that their personal return is still dangerous.

Important: Persons who already have S protection status in Switzerland are not affected by the new provision. The new provision also does not apply to family members of persons with S protection status who are still in Ukraine. As the security situation in Ukrainian regions is constantly changing, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) continuously reviews this list and updates it as necessary.

How applications will now be considered

Each application will be considered individually, taking into account the specific circumstances of the applicant. If a person is denied protection due to a “safe region,” a deportation order will be issued.

However, in cases where return is objectively impossible or dangerous, the person may be temporarily allowed to remain in Switzerland. It is also still possible to apply for asylum if the person has grounds for doing so.

According to the immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine, Ukrainians who are planning to submit documents or are awaiting a decision should consult with a specialist to avoid mistakes in filling out the forms and to provide all the necessary evidence.

If you are in Switzerland or plan to apply for temporary protection, the team of lawyers at Visit Ukraine will help you prepare your documents, submit your application, or appeal a decision to refuse your application. This is especially important in cases where you need to prove that your return would put you in personal danger.

New rules for staying in Ukraine

For persons with S status, the procedure for short-term trips to Ukraine has also been changed. It is now permitted to stay in Ukraine for up to 15 days within a six-month period (previously — 15 days per quarter).

When will the changes take effect?

The new provisions will take effect on November 1, 2025, and will apply to all applications considered after that date, even if they were submitted earlier.

This means that if an application has already been submitted but the decision will be made after November 1, it will be considered under the updated rules.

Those who have not yet received S status should check the current conditions in advance and gather evidence confirming the impossibility of a safe return. In cases of doubt or refusal to grant status, it is better to seek help from Visit Ukraine lawyers. Specialists will help you prepare an appeal or asylum application, taking into account the latest changes in Swiss legislation.

We remind you! Switzerland remains an attractive destination for emigration in 2025 thanks to its stable economy and high standard of living. Ukrainians are increasingly considering this country as a place for professional and personal development. Read more about the steps you need to take for a successful move and legalization in Switzerland in 2025 in our previous article.

Photo: Depositphotos

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