Social Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the Canton of Graubünden
The Swiss canton of Graubünden intends to keep social assistance payments to Ukrainian refugees at their current reduced level, even after these individuals transition from S status to residence permit category B. This proposal has already received approval from the cantonal government and is scheduled for parliamentary review during the December 2026 session. If passed, the updated regulations would come into effect on March 1, 2027.
Details of the Social Benefit Adjustments
Under the existing framework, Ukrainians holding S status receive social aid approximately 20% lower than that provided to Swiss residents. After five years of living in Switzerland, individuals with S status typically become eligible to upgrade to a B permit, which currently grants access to social benefits equal to those of locals. However, Graubünden plans to maintain the reduced payment level even after refugees obtain the B permit, preventing an automatic increase in their social support to match that of Swiss citizens.
These changes are expected to impact around 960 people, with roughly 640 currently receiving financial assistance. Retaining the lower benefit rates is projected to reduce municipal expenditures from 5.4 million to 4.8 million Swiss francs. Similar proposals have previously been introduced in the canton of Zurich. The driving factor behind these adjustments is a decrease in federal funding for refugee social aid starting in 2027. As one anonymous source noted, "This means that cantons and municipalities will have to cover a larger share of these costs themselves."
This development in Graubünden reflects a broader trend across Switzerland toward scaling back financial support for refugees amid economic pressures. Such reductions could make it more difficult for refugees with established status to integrate fully into Swiss society. These policy shifts may also spark debate about the fairness of benefit distribution between refugees and native residents, potentially influencing future social welfare policies nationwide.