One of the Swiss cantons will limit social assistance for Ukrainians
The government of the Swiss canton of Zurich has prepared amendments to social assistance legislation for Ukrainians with S temporary protection status. After five years of residence and obtaining a B permit, they will continue to receive payments under special rules, not under the higher standards of regular social assistance.
The bill has already been submitted to the cantonal council for consideration. If the deputies support it, the new rules are planned to be introduced from March 1, 2027, simultaneously with changes at the federal level.
What will change for Ukrainians
In March 2027, the first Ukrainians who came to Switzerland after the start of the full-scale war will have been living in the country for five years. Under the current rules, they could in principle obtain a category B residence permit linked to the S status.
Currently, federal legislation stipulates that people with S status who already have a B permit must receive regular social assistance. Its amount is mostly higher than the special payments for protection seekers.
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to give cantons the power from March 1, 2027, to independently determine which assistance to pay to this category of people. The Zurich government intends to take advantage of this opportunity and level all S status holders—both with and without a B permit—with temporarily admitted foreigners.
Thus, obtaining a B permit will not lead to an automatic transition of Ukrainians to regular social assistance. Payments will remain roughly at the same level as before obtaining the residence permit.
The cantonal government has not provided specific amounts, as the procedure and size of assistance will additionally be regulated by cantonal ordinances.
Why Zurich wants to keep the current level of payments
The cantonal government explained the decision by the need to maintain financial incentives for employment and integration. The authorities also want to avoid a situation where B permit holders would move to Zurich from other cantons because of higher social payments.
The B permit linked to S status will not mean the termination of temporary protection. It will remain valid as long as the federal authorities maintain S status, and will usually be extended for one year.
A different path is envisaged for some Ukrainians
Ukrainians who have successfully integrated into Switzerland may, after five years of residency, apply for a separate permit under exceptional circumstances. This will not be tied to S status, and its holder will move from asylum legislation norms to the scope of general migration legislation.
At the same time, the Zurich government notes that the federal criteria for obtaining such a permit are not yet fully defined.
The proposed rules have not yet come into force. First, the bill must be approved by the cantonal council, and the federal authorities must finally adopt the changes expanding the cantons' powers.
Based on materials from: Zurich cantonal government, Swiss Federal Council
