What impact will EU’s treaties have on immigration to Switzerland, and how the Swiss government integrates foreign nationals better than most nations — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
The real impact of EU’s treaties on immigration to Switzerland
As various Swiss media outlets have reported, under the terms of the new EU treaty, hundreds of thousands of European nationals could be eligible for permanent residency and welfare, with no strings attached.
But is this really true?
According to experts, the reported numbers – 570,000 or 690,000 immigrants, respectively, depending on sources – are taken completely out of context.
Also, the cited consequences of more foreigners suddenly receiving residence rights or welfare benefits, are grossly exaggerated, experts say.
READ ALSO: Will the new EU treaty let tens of thousands get Swiss residency?
Switzerland integrates foreign nationals better than most nations
By international comparison, foreign nationals in Switzerland “have a good level of education, a very high employment rate, and actively strive to learn a national language,” a new report reveals.
It found that most immigrants from the European Union have a tertiary (higher education) degree – a bigger proportion than in most comparable countries.
For people from non-EU countries, the proportion of tertiary education qualifications is also high by international standards, reaching 35 percent.
READ ALSO: Integration of immigrants in Switzerland ‘working very well’
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Fewer Zurich municipalities conduct interviews with naturalisation candidates
New cantonal figures reveal that Zurich communes are relying less and less on personal interviews with applicants as part of the Swiss citizenship procedure.
Instead, they prefer to assess the candidate’s level of integration through motivation letters that applicants are required to submit, and which offer a glimpse into the person’s reasons for seeking Swiss citizenship, as well as their involvement in the affairs of their local community.
READ ALSO: Why are Zurich authorities skipping naturalisation interviews?
What will Swiss employment market look like in 2026?
After numerous layoffs by Swiss companies and organisations throughout 2025 – and some expected next year as well – will the country’s job market recover in 2026?
Economists and job recruiters offer a positive outlook.
For instance, according to KOF Economic Institute, “despite the rise in unemployment [in 2025], key indicators continue to point to a solid labour market.”
Experts at Economiesuisse, the umbrella organisation for the Swiss business sector, also say that the subdued economic outlook should not have too great an impact on the Swiss labour market.
READ ALSO: What’s the outlook for Switzerland’s job market in 2026?
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Right-wing party seeks to abolish voting rights for foreigners in Geneva
The Geneva branch of the hard-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) said it will launch an initiative to abolish the right of foreigners to vote in municipal referendums and elections.
Foreign nationals in Geneva have been allowed to vote at the municipal level since 2005, but the SVP argues that he right to vote – and, even more so, the right to stand for election – should in no way precede naturalisation but “constitute the culmination of a successful integration process.”
“Otherwise, people are not sufficiently informed about the Swiss political system and may not use a ballot correctly.”
READ ALSO: New proposal seeks to scrap Geneva’s voting rights for foreigners
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Scanner installation at checkpoints cause chaos at Zurich airport
At the moment, 24 new CT scanners are being installed at Zurich airport, causing long waits at security checkpoints, especially during peak travel hours.
According to the airport’s management, 30 percent of screening capacity is currently unavailable, which means passengers are crammed onto fewer checkpoints.
No date has been set for the end of the works, but it will probably not be before mid-December at the earliest.
READ ALSO: Long wait times at Zurich Airport to continue throughout December
