Switzerland may return work quotas for Croatians

Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Council has announced that it may reactivate a safeguard clause that would reintroduce quotas for Croatian workers entering Switzerland next year.

The decision will depend on the number of work permits issued to Croatian nationals by 31 December.

Switzerland extended the EU Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) to Croatia in January 2017, introducing a ten-year transition period before Croatians gain full access to the Swiss labour market.

During this period, Switzerland retains the right to apply a unilateral safeguard clause if immigration exceeds certain thresholds.

The mechanism may be used once more, in 2026, before freedom of movement fully applies from 1 January 2027.

Under the rules, the safeguard clause can be triggered if either of two annual limits is surpassed: 2,004 residence permits (B permits) or 1,116 short-term permits (L permits). Exceeding the threshold for even one category is enough to prompt the reintroduction of quotas.

The Federal Council will make its final decision in January 2026 after reviewing the end-of-year permit figures. Current data shows that from January to the end of October, Switzerland issued 1,492 B permits and 656 L permits to Croatian nationals, numbers that remain below the set thresholds but could rise further by year’s end.

The Swiss government says the safeguard clause is a way to manage immigration responsibly while still addressing the needs of the labour market.

If activated, quotas would apply throughout 2026. If not, Croatians will continue to access the Swiss labour market under the existing transitional rules until full freedom of movement comes into force in 2027.