Switzerland Limits Social Assistance for Ukrainians in Zurich Canton

The government of the Swiss canton of Zurich has approved a bill that changes the rules for social assistance for Ukrainians with S status who will receive a residence permit. The document still needs to be reviewed by the cantonal council, and the new norms are planned to be implemented starting March 1, 2027. This is reported by RBC Ukraine.

The changes will not apply to all Ukrainians in Switzerland. They will specifically affect people with S status who, after a prolonged stay in the country, will receive a residence permit.

How Payments to Ukrainians in Zurich Canton Will Change from March 1, 2027

Currently, federal legislation stipulates that people with S status and a residence permit can receive regular social assistance on par with Swiss citizens. The amount is higher than the support given to temporarily admitted individuals.

The bill proposes to establish unified rules for all holders of S status regardless of the availability of a residence permit. They will receive assistance according to the norms for temporarily admitted persons.

The proposed changes include:

• maintaining a special payment order for holders of S status;
• refusal of automatic transition to regular social assistance;
• identical rules for people with S status with and without a residence permit;
• the possibility of obtaining another permit in exceptional cases after five years of residence.

Ukrainians with S status who do not have a residence permit are already receiving assistance at lower rates. Therefore, for them, nothing will change after the bill is passed.

Why the Canton of Zurich Wants to Limit Assistance to Ukrainians in March 2027

In March 2027, five years will have passed since the first Ukrainians received protection in Switzerland. After such a period of residence, they can usually apply for a permit that opens access to regular social assistance.

Zurich authorities fear that higher payments may weaken motivation for employment and integration. Another argument is the risk of S status holders moving from other regions to Zurich due to more favorable support conditions.

Well-integrated Ukrainians who have resided for five years will still be able to apply for a separate residence permit in exceptional cases. Their status will then be governed by regular migration legislation rather than asylum rules.

The final federal criteria for issuing such a permit have not yet been approved. Moreover, the proposed restrictions by the Zurich government still need the support of the cantonal council.

It should be noted that Switzerland has expanded sanctions against Russia due to the war against Ukraine. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research has made changes to Annexes 2 and 8 of the regulations concerning the situation in Ukraine.