Men from Ukraine will face tougher conditions for obtaining temporary protection in Switzerland

Switzerland is tightening the conditions for obtaining temporary protection status S for new applicants from Ukraine starting August 20. Protection will only be granted to those who fulfill military duties that apply to them under Ukrainian law.

The new rule primarily targets Ukrainians of conscription age, people in the reserves, as well as those who have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces. At the same time, the Federal Council formulates the restriction precisely on the basis of the existence of a military duty, not simply on the applicant's sex.

The changes will only apply to new applications filed from August 20, 2026. Ukrainians who have already been granted status S in Switzerland are not affected by the new requirement.

With this decision, Bern effectively synchronizes its rules with the European Union. On July 30, the EU Council finally adopted the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028, and simultaneously set an additional condition for new applicants: if they have military duties they must prove they have fulfilled them.

Switzerland is not an EU member and is not legally obliged to apply this decision. However, the Federal Council stated that it considers synchronization of rules with EU countries to be in the country's interests.

At the same time, the status S itself for Ukrainians in Switzerland was extended until March 4, 2028. The government explained that there are no signs of a lasting stabilization of the situation in Ukraine and no prospects for a long-term ceasefire in the short or medium term.

Along with status S, the special support program for its holders will also be extended until March 2028. The federal government is allocating the cantons 3,000 Swiss francs per person per year for integration measures, including language learning, education and entering the labor market.

This is not the first tightening of rules for Ukrainians in Switzerland. Since November 2025, the country has restricted the possibility of obtaining status S depending on the last place of residence in Ukraine. Now, the territorial criterion for new applicants is supplemented by a check of fulfillment of military duties.

The Federal Department of Justice and Police of Switzerland reported in detail on the new decision. A similar EU provision was anchored in the Council's decision on the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2028.

Based on materials from: the Federal Council of Switzerland.