Is a new immigration contribution being proposed in the Switzerland–EU agreement?
A Swiss parliamentary committee would incorporate an immigration contribution into the safeguard clause of the Switzerland–EU agreement. What would this mean for Hungarians living in Switzerland?
What is the migration contribution, and why is it being proposed in Switzerland?
The migration contribution (Zuwanderungsabgabe, also often referred to as an incentive tax or Lenkungsabgabe) would be a tool that Switzerland could use in the future to regulate the inflow of workers from the EU.
The idea is rooted in a political debate about population growth: for years, Switzerland has faced tensions caused by rapid population growth, pressure on housing and competition in the labour market. This is also linked to the “No to a Switzerland of 10 million!” (sustainability) initiative, which has made limiting immigration its central goal.
Against this backdrop, the proposal of the Council of States’ Committee for Political Institutions (SPK-S) emerged, outlining a financial instrument to reduce the inflow.
It is important to emphasise that this is the committee’s position, a proposal at an early stage of the legislative process. It is not an adopted law and is not a fee currently in force.
Who would have to pay the proposed contribution?
According to the proposal’s general logic, the contribution would be linked to the inflow of workers coming to Switzerland from the EU. Since Hungarian nationals are considered EU citizens under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (Freizügigkeitsabkommen, FZA, 1999), such a mechanism could in principle also affect them.
The precise details of the proposal—for example, the amount of the contribution, who would be required to pay it or what exemptions would apply—are not currently finalised rules in force. These matters would be decided during any potential legislative process.
Therefore, at this stage it would not be responsible to say exactly what the proposal would mean for a particular Hungarian employee or family. What is certain is that the proposal aims to regulate the inflow of EU workers, so Hungarians planning to move to Switzerland should follow the issue closely.
What does the safeguard clause mean in the Switzerland–EU agreement?
The safeguard clause (Schutzklausel) is a safety mechanism that would allow Switzerland, under certain circumstances, to take measures to reduce immigration.
According to the proposal, activation of the safeguard clause would be assessed on the basis of four indicators:
Net EU immigration — the balance between arrivals from and departures to the EU.
Number of new cross-border commuters (Grenzgänger) — changes in the number of workers commuting daily from neighbouring countries.
Unemployment rate — an indicator of pressure on the Swiss labour market.
Social assistance rate — the proportion of people in need of social assistance.
The rationale is that once these indicators reach certain levels, this could justify curbing inflows. The SPK-S proposal would link the immigration contribution to this safeguard mechanism.
How would the tax be linked to the Bilaterale III safeguard clause?
The proposal is based on the new package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU, often referred to as “Bilaterale III” (Bilateral Agreements III).
The new package of agreements was signed on 2 March 2026 by Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This package sets out the future framework for Switzerland–EU relations.
The SPK-S proposal would integrate the immigration contribution into this framework—specifically by linking it to the safeguard clause (Schutzklausel). The idea is that the contribution could serve as one tool for regulating inflows when the four indicators mentioned above warrant such action.
However, this does not mean that the contribution automatically forms part of the signed agreement. The proposal is part of Switzerland’s domestic legislative debate, and the parliamentary process will determine whether it is included in the final legislation at all.
Why could this matter to Hungarians living in Switzerland or planning to move there?
There are several reasons to pay attention to the proposal, even though it is not yet in force.
First, as EU citizens, Hungarian nationals fall under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. In principle, any mechanism regulating inflows from the EU could also affect Hungarian workers and their families.
Second, family reunification (Familiennachzug) and employment conditions are key issues when moving abroad. If new instruments are added to the system in the future, they could affect planning.
Third, one long-standing objective of the Swiss labour market is to make better use of the domestic labour potential (Inländisches Arbeitskräftepotenzial). In the longer term, such policy aims could shape demand for foreign workers.
All of this is currently a planning context, not a specific obligation. Anyone moving to or working in Switzerland now is subject to the rules currently in force.
What is currently known, and what is not?
It is important to distinguish confirmed facts from open questions.
What is currently known:
The SPK-S committee proposed introducing an immigration contribution as part of the safeguard clause system.
Activation of the safeguard clause would be assessed based on four indicators (net EU immigration, number of new cross-border commuters, unemployment rate, social assistance rate).
The Switzerland–EU agreement package was signed on 2 March 2026.
What cannot currently be known with certainty:
The exact amount of the contribution, how it would be levied, and the scope of the exemptions.
Whether the proposal will be included in the final regulations at all, and in what form.
The possible date of entry into force.
This uncertainty stems from the nature of the legislative process: a committee proposal still has a long way to go before it can become an effective rule—if it does so at all.
Status of the proposal: no new immigration levy is currently in force
The key message: there is currently no new immigration levy in force in Switzerland for EU citizens.
What is being discussed is a proposal by the Council of States’ Legal Affairs Committee (SPK-S). Such a proposal must still pass through the Swiss legislative process—including consideration by the parliamentary chambers (Ständerat, Nationalrat), the position of the Federal Council (Bundesrat), and, where applicable, a referendum.
It would therefore be misleading to plan as if the contribution were already in operation. The correct approach is to follow developments and make decisions based on the rules currently in force.
Sources
thelocal.ch — https://www.thelocal.ch/20260819/swiss-mps-want-to-introduce-new-immigration-tax-into-eu-agreement
watson.ch — https://www.watson.ch/schweiz/eu/256298249-staenderatskommission-fuer-zuwanderungsabgabe-fuer-eu-arbeitskraefte
swissinfo.ch — https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/bilateral-agreements-iii-a-committee-proposes-an-immigration-levy/91914851
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In Brief
For now, Switzerland has only a proposal by the Council of States’ Legal Affairs Committee for an immigration contribution linked to labour from the EU. The amount, the persons liable, any exemptions and the date of entry into force are not yet known, so there is currently no new fee in force for EU citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Treat the immigration contribution as a proposal, not as a Swiss fee currently in force.
- Follow the further decisions of SPK-S, the parliamentary chambers and the Federal Council.
- As a Hungarian citizen, bear in mind that a mechanism regulating the inflow of labour from the EU could, in principle, affect you.
- When planning a move or employment, continue to base your plans on the rules currently in force.
- The details of the proposal can only be meaningfully assessed once the legislative process has progressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there currently a new immigration fee in Switzerland for EU citizens?
No. At present, there is only a proposal by the Council of States’ Legal Affairs Committee, which is neither a law in force nor an operational fee.
Who could be affected by the proposed immigration contribution?
The proposal would be linked to the inflow of labour from the EU to Switzerland. Since Hungarian citizens, as EU citizens, are covered by the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, they could in principle also be affected.
How much would the proposed contribution cost?
The amount of the contribution is currently unknown. The persons liable to pay and any possible exemptions would likewise be determined during a potential legislative process.
What role would the safeguard clause play in the proposal?
The safeguard clause would be a mechanism allowing immigration to be reduced under defined circumstances. According to the proposal, its activation would be assessed based on net immigration from the EU, the number of new cross-border commuters, the unemployment rate and the social assistance rate.
Will the immigration contribution automatically become part of Bilaterale III?
No. The proposal would be linked to the safeguard clause of the package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU, but this does not mean that the contribution would automatically form part of the signed agreement.
When could the contribution enter into force?
There is currently no reliable information on this. The proposal would still have to pass through the Swiss legislative process, and the date of entry into force is also unknown.
What does this currently mean for Hungarians moving to Switzerland?
The rules currently in force apply to Hungarians living or working in Switzerland. It is worth monitoring the proposal because, if adopted, it could affect planning related to employment and family reunification.
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