Switzerland restricts protection status for Ukrainians from certain regions
Kyiv • UNN
Switzerland is restricting the granting of protection status to Ukrainians who lived outside combat zones. Moreover, for individuals from Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi regions, deportation is even possible.
For individuals who resided outside high-risk zones in Ukraine, deportation from Switzerland will be possible. At the same time, Status S (rapid asylum without lengthy procedures, granted to citizens of Ukraine) remains in force in the Swiss Confederation until March 4, 2027. This is reported by UNN with reference to SWI.
Details
On Wednesday, the Federal Council recognized that mid-term stabilization in Ukraine is unrealistic, and therefore refugees cannot return to their country without fear. But there are exceptions. At the request of parliament, the Federal Council decided to limit the granting of protection status to occupied regions or combat zones. Accordingly, for individuals who were outside such risk zones before arriving in the Alpine country, return or deportation is possible.
Currently, deportation is being considered in the Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi regions. It is separately clarified that individuals who already have S status in Switzerland, as well as their family members who still reside in Ukraine, will not be subject to deportation.
Recall
The number of asylum applications from Ukrainians in the EU and Switzerland increased by 29% in the first half of 2025, reaching 16,000.
In June 2025, the EU Council unanimously supported the extension of temporary protection for over 4 million Ukrainians until March 4, 2027.