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Swiss Federal Council Consults on Future of Protection Status for 66,000 Ukrainians, Including Possible Restrictions for Men
The Swiss government is weighing three scenarios for S protection status and considering limits for military-age men. A final decision is expected by the end of summer 2026.
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The Swiss Federal Council announced on June 20, 2025, that it has begun consultations over the legal status of some 66,000 Ukrainian nationals who fled to Switzerland after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. The move follows a November 2025 national asylum conference at which the State Secretariat for Migration, the cantons, cities and municipalities were tasked with drawing up clear regulations for the future of S protection status.
The government has produced a concept paper entitled “The Future of S Status” that prepares for three possible scenarios: continuation of S status; its abolition in the event of a stable ceasefire; and a phasing out of S status in the event of a protracted conflict.
The Swiss Federal Council stated that it is considering a possible future restriction for Ukrainian men subject to conscription. The same statement noted that the EU is currently considering an extension of temporary protection with a possible restriction for these men.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that the Ukrainians are asking the EU to no longer extend protections to Ukrainian men.
The Zelensky government has asked Western allies to revoke protected status for military-aged Ukrainian men. A final decision on the policy could come by the end of the summer of 2026.
