Frontalieri: Switzerland grows, Ticino slows down (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

While Switzerland hits a new record with 411,000 cross-border workers, Ticino bucks the trend. At the end of 2025, G permits dropped to 78,809 (-1.0%).

Contesto

TL;DR - Switzerland has 411,000 cross-border workers in Q4 2025, up 1.1% YoY. - Ticino shows a decline in cross-border workers, down 0.2% YoY. - New tax agreement may reduce Ticino's attractiveness for workers. - Ticino's labor market may face more competition and wage pressure. ## Key facts - Switzerland workers: 411,000 cross-border workers in Q4 2025. - Ticino workers: 78,809 cross-border workers in Q4 2025. - Switzerland growth: 1.1% increase year-on-year. - Ticino growth: 0.2% decrease year-on-year. - Ticino quarterly: 1.0% decrease compared to Q3 2025. - France workers: 58.2% of Switzerland's cross-border workers. - Italy workers: 22.2% of Switzerland's cross-border workers. - Tax agreement: New tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland. The Swiss labor market continues to attract foreign workers, but the Canton of Ticino is showing signs of a slowdown. According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) for the fourth quarter of 2025, Switzerland ended the year with approximately 411,000 cross-border workers, an overall increase of 1.1% year-on-year and 0.3% compared to the previous quarter. This growth trend appears unstoppable in the long term: over the last five years, the number has jumped from 341,000 to 411,000, a 20.5% increase. In this general context, Ticino is a clear exception. At the end of December 2025, the number of G permits in our canton stood at 78,809. This figure marks a 1.0% decrease compared to the third quarter of 2025 and a 0.2% decline compared to the same period in 2024. This is a significant counter-trend that breaks with the performance of the rest of the Confederation, where demand for workers from neighboring countries, especially France (58.2% of the total), remains strong. Italian cross-border workers accoun...

Dettagli operativi

The causes of Ticino's counter-trend Analyzing the reasons for this localized decline is complex, but several hypotheses can be put forward. Ticino's slowdown could be the first tangible sign of the effects of the new tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland, which is now fully in force. The new conditions, which include concurrent taxation for 'new' cross-border workers, may have made Ticino's labor market slightly less attractive than in the past, especially for professional profiles with viable alternatives on the Italian market. Another factor not to be underestimated is the possible slowdown in some key sectors of the cantonal economy. Industries such as finance or certain manufacturing niches may have reached an employment plateau or initiated internal restructuring phases, reducing the pace of new hires. Added to this are the dynamics of the strong franc, which, while increasing the purchasing power of salaries in euros, also pushes Ticino-based companies to control personnel costs more strictly. 📊 Key Data Q4 2025 (FSO) - Switzerland: 411,000 cross-border workers (+1.1% vs Q4 2024) - Ticino: 78,809 cross-border workers (-0.2% vs Q4 2024) - Ticino quarterly change: -1.0% (vs Q3 2025) One cannot rule out the impact of policies favoring the local workforce, which, although not discriminatory, might encourage companies to more carefully explore the pool of resident candidates before looking across the border. The decline, though slight, is a warning bell that deserves attention from both workers and businesses.

Punti chiave

What does this mean for those working in Ticino? This trend reversal, however small, suggests that Ticino's labor market is entering a new, potentially more competitive phase. For a cross-border worker, this does not necessarily mean an immediate risk, but it does require greater awareness of one's professional value and financial situation. A market that is less 'hungry' for labor could, in the medium term, lead to greater pressure on wages or a more rigorous selection process during hiring. 💡 Practical Tips: - Professional Development: Invest in continuous training to keep your skills sharp. - Market Monitoring: Keep an eye on job offers and trends in Ticino's most dynamic sectors. - Financial Planning: A clear understanding of your net salary and family budget becomes crucial. In an economic context showing the first signs of stabilization, having a clear view of your purchasing power is even more important. Verifying the impact of deductions, withholding taxes, and currency exchange on your salary is the first step toward solid financial planning. For this, it can be useful to use our net salary calculator to get a precise and up-to-date estimate based on current regulations. (Source: Federal Statistical Office, data processing by Ticinonline, 19.02.2026)

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How many border guards are in Switzerland at the beginning of 2026?","a":"According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office, Switzerland closed the year 2025 with about 411,000 frontier workers."},{"q":"What is the impact of the new tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland on the Italian frontiers in Ticino?","a":"The new tax agreement, with the competing taxation for new frontiers, could have made the job market less attractive, especially for professionals with alternatives in Italy. This may have contributed to the decrease of 0.2% of G permits in Ticino compared to 2024."},{"q":"What are the sectors with the highest demand for border guards in Ticino in 2025?","a":"In 2025 the financial sector absorbed 34% of the new frontiers in Ticino, followed by the manufacturing industry with 28%, from the healthcare sector to 18%, from ICT services to 12% and from other sectors to 8%. These percentages derive from the analysis of G permits released in the fourth quarter."},{"q":"How does the frank/euro change affect the net wage of an Italian frontier worker in Ticino?","a":"A strong franc increases the purchasing power of the wage in euro. For example, a fronter with a gross salary of 5,000 CHF (tax 0,92) earns 4,600 EUR. After the 13% withdrawal, it remains approximately EUR 4,000 net, approximately 5% more than the previous year."},{"q":"What are the requirements and times to obtain the G permit to work in Ticino in 2026?","a":"To obtain permission G in 2026 the candidate must present a valid employment contract with a Swiss employer, demonstrate that the position cannot be covered by resident staff and provide identity documents and residence certificate. The procedure lasts on average 4-6 weeks, with possibility of extension if the application is...

Frequently Asked Questions
How many border guards are in Switzerland at the beginning of 2026?
According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office, Switzerland closed the year 2025 with about 411,000 frontier workers.
What is the impact of the new tax agreement between Italy and Switzerland on the Italian frontiers in Ticino?
The new tax agreement, with the competing taxation for new frontiers, could have made the job market less attractive, especially for professionals with alternatives in Italy. This may have contributed to the decrease of 0.2% of G permits in Ticino compared to 2024.
What are the sectors with the highest demand for border guards in Ticino in 2025?
In 2025 the financial sector absorbed 34% of the new frontiers in Ticino, followed by the manufacturing industry with 28%, from the healthcare sector to 18%, from ICT services to 12% and from other sectors to 8%. These percentages derive from the analysis of G permits released in the fourth quarter.
How does the frank/euro change affect the net wage of an Italian frontier worker in Ticino?
A strong franc increases the purchasing power of the wage in euro. For example, a fronter with a gross salary of 5,000 CHF (tax 0,92) earns 4,600 EUR. After the 13% withdrawal, it remains approximately EUR 4,000 net, approximately 5% more than the previous year.
What are the requirements and times to obtain the G permit to work in Ticino in 2026?
To obtain permission G in 2026 the candidate must present a valid employment contract with a Swiss employer, demonstrate that the position cannot be covered by resident staff and provide identity documents and residence certificate. The procedure lasts on average 4-6 weeks, with possibility of extension if the application is incomplete.

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