Federal Council decides on activation of safeguard clause with regard to Croatia
Bern, 26.11.2025 — At its meeting on 26 November, the Federal Council took a core decision about the unilateral safeguard clause relating to Croatia. This will be reactivated should the number of workers entering Switzerland from Croatia exceed a certain threshold by 31 December of this year. Quotas on the number of Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland may thus apply again next year.
The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) concluded with the European Union was extended to Croatia by an additional protocol, which entered into force on 1 January 2017. This protocol provides for the gradual opening up of the Swiss labour market to Croatian nationals over a period of ten years. Switzerland has the option of activating the safeguard clause one last time in 2026.
This measure may be implemented if, by 31 December, the number of permits issued to Croatian workers reaches 2,004 residence permits (B permits) or 1,116 short-term permits (L permits). As soon as the threshold for either type of permit (B or L) is exceeded, the safeguard clause can be activated.
The Federal Council will decide on this issue in January 2026, based on the permit numbers reached by 31 December. If the thresholds are not reached by that date, Switzerland will not reintroduce quotas for Croatia next year. From January to the end of October of this year, Switzerland issued 1,492 B permits and 656 L permits to Croatian nationals.
The Federal Council is using the instruments at its disposal to enable better management of immigration, while taking into account the needs of the economy. By activating the safeguard clause, it ensures that the free movement of Croatian nationals on the Swiss labour market is implemented gradually. From 1 January 2027, Croatian nationals will benefit from full freedom of movement, on the same basis as nationals of other EU member states.