EU deals: signature near, what changes for workers (cross-border guide)

Context

TL;DR

• EU approves new bilateral agreements with Switzerland.
• Agreement includes updates on free movement and new sectoral deals.
• Swiss parliamentary debate and potential referendum ahead.
• Impact on cross-border workers and Ticino's economy.

Key facts

• Cosa: New comprehensive package of bilateral agreements between EU and Switzerland.
• Quando: Final green light given on Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026.
• Dove: Brussels, Belgium.
• Chi: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.
• Importo: Institutionalized Swiss financial contribution to EU's cohesion, the 'cohesion billion'.
• Scadenza: Potential popular vote in Switzerland next year.
• Aree: Food safety, health, electricity, research, education, and transport.
• Opposizione: SVP (UDC) party calls the agreement a 'submission treaty'.

The signal Bern was waiting for has arrived from Brussels: on Tuesday morning, the Council of the European Union gave its final green light to the signing of the new, comprehensive package of bilateral agreements with Switzerland. This is a decisive step that formally closes a long and complex negotiation phase. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to receive the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, as early as next week to put the signatures on the deal.

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Operational details

But what does this package actually contain, and what are the direct implications for the thousands of cross-border workers who cross the border every day? The architecture of the agreement is complex and touches on sensitive nerves of Ticino's economy.

Key points of the package

The deal is not a single treaty, but a set of interconnected agreements:

• Update of existing agreements: The most relevant point for workers is the update of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), the pillar on which the status of cross-border workers is based. Agreements on air and land transport are also being updated.
• New sectoral agreements: Three new agreements are introduced on food safety, health, and electricity. The latter is of particular strategic importance for grid stability and energy costs in Switzerland.
• Contribution to cohesion: A "fair and permanent" Swiss financial contribution to the EU's economic and social cohesion, the so-called "cohesion billion," is institutionalized.
• Participation in EU programs: Switzerland will be able to participate in various Union programs, such as those for research (Horizon Europe) and education (Erasmus+).

⚠️ Open questions Despite the green light from Brussels, the game will be played on the details of domestic implementation. Issues such as the protection of wages from downward pressure, the management of migration flows, and the methods for transposing EU law into Swiss law remain crucial sticking points. These will be the topics at the center of the parliamentary debate, where every comma can make a difference for the Ticino labor market.

Key points

With the signing in Brussels now on the horizon, the ball is entirely in Switzerland's court. The parliamentary debate will be just the first round of a contest that will likely culminate in a popular vote next year. The SVP has already sharpened its weapons to launch a referendum, turning the vote into a judgment on national independence and sovereignty.

What to expect in the coming months

For cross-border workers, the coming period is one of careful observation. The decisions made in Bern will have a direct and tangible impact. The discussion on flanking measures and wage protection, in particular, will be fundamental to ensuring that free movement does not translate into a race to the bottom for working conditions in Ticino. The positions of Ticino's political parties and trade unions will be decisive in shaping the debate.

💡 Preparing for the future In a scenario of potential change, having a clear understanding of one's own financial situation is more important than ever. Political dynamics and new agreements influence the labor market and, consequently, salaries. While politics defines the general framework, the most immediate impact for every worker remains on their payslip. To understand how these macroeconomic dynamics could affect your net income, it is essential to have a clear picture of your current situation. Use our net salary calculator for a precise and up-to-date estimate based on current regulations.

Source: RSI, 24.02.2026