Graubünden: New residency permit rules after mafia infiltrations

Context

In brief

• Arrests in Roveredo linked to mafia ties
• New measures for residence permits
• Criminal record checks planned

Key facts

• What: Changes to residence permit regulations
• When: Announcement on April 25, 2026
• Where: Roveredo, Canton Graubünden
• Who: State Councillor Peter Peyer
• Amount: Not yet specified

The Canton of Graubünden has decided to revise the rules for issuing residence permits following the arrests of four individuals connected to the Camorra and the 'Ndrangheta in the municipality of Roveredo. These individuals were legally domiciled in the area with B-type residence permits. The announcement was made by State Councillor Peter Peyer in response to an inquiry by Samuele Censi, mayor of Grono and member of the Radical-Liberal Party.

Under the new regulations, applicants for residence permits will be required to declare any criminal records or ongoing legal proceedings against them. These disclosures may lead to more thorough checks, including requests for extracts from the judicial record. 'In cases of substantiated doubts, such elements may impact the assessment and result in a negative decision,' Peyer explained.

Grisons authorities also plan to immediately revoke residence permits in cases of false declarations. However, the implementation date for these new measures has not yet been determined. Censi emphasized that this represents a significant step forward after an initial period of limited awareness from the cantonal government. The Roveredo case has brought the issue of mafia infiltration to a higher level of awareness both canton-wide and nationally.

Authorities in the Moesano region have already initiated collaborations with the Canton, with specific meetings scheduled between May and June. These meetings will involve representatives from Moesano municipalities, the Commercial Registry Office, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and law enforcement agencies. A central topic will be combating shell companies used to fraudulently obtain residence permits.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers and transfrontalier workers

The decision by the Canton of Graubünden to review the rules on residence permits could have significant repercussions for cross-border workers operating between Italy and Switzerland. Although the regulation applies to type B permits and not directly to G permits, which represent the regime used by the majority of cross-border workers, the issue of inter-cantonal collaboration raised by Samuele Censi could lead to an extension of controls to transfrontalier workers as well.

From a practical standpoint, the requirement to declare criminal records or proceedings should not affect those who operate regularly and without legal issues. However, for workers applying for a residence permit in Switzerland, it will be crucial to prepare for increased bureaucracy. This could include the need to provide additional documentation, such as an extract from the Italian criminal record, during the application or renewal process.

The situation in Moesano also highlights an interesting phenomenon: with the tightening of regulations in Ticino in the past, some suspicious activities have moved to neighboring territories, such as Italian Graubünden. Therefore, it is plausible to assume that the introduction of stricter rules in this canton could influence the movement of workers to other Swiss areas or even to Ticino itself, which already adopts more severe policies, including systematic checks of criminal records since 2015.

Another relevant aspect concerns 'bucalettere' companies, i.e., fictitious companies that sign employment contracts to obtain residence permits. This phenomenon, highlighted by Censi, particularly affects Moesano and could generate additional controls on employment relationships. For cross-border workers, this implies additional checks and potential delays for those collaborating with recently registered companies.

💡 Practical advice: For cross-border workers, it is advisable to keep legal documentation up to date and collaborate with established and transparent companies to avoid complications related to non-authentic societies.

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Key points

What to do to prepare for the new regulations

For cross-border workers affected by the possible tightening of checks on residence permits, here are some practical steps to follow to avoid complications:

1. Request the criminal record: Check with your local Italian municipality or court of reference the procedure to obtain an updated extract of the criminal record. This document may become mandatory for the residence permit.

2. Check company documentation: Those working for a new company in Moesano should ensure that the company has provided, to the respective municipalities, the documents that certify the physical location.

3. Monitor regulatory deadlines: Although the Canton of Graubünden has not yet set a date for the entry into force of the new rules, it is essential to keep an eye on official updates. Consult our deadline calendar here.

4. Collaborate with local authorities: In case of doubts or requests for the renewal of the residence permit, contact the competent cantonal offices such as the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration).

5. Discover the details about permits: For information on the various types of permits available, visit our interactive guide Compare residence permits.

⚠️ Warning: False statements in the new self-declarations could result in the immediate withdrawal of the permit, as stated by Councilor Peter Peyer. Make sure to provide truthful and complete information.

Upcoming meetings

Two key meetings have been scheduled to address the issue of mafia infiltrations and shell companies. The first will take place in May in Roveredo and will involve representatives of the municipalities of Moesano, collaborators of the Commercial Register Office, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Graubünden Cantonal Police. The second meeting is scheduled for mid-June and will see the participation of law enforcement from the Cantons of Graubünden and Ticino. Follow developments through our cross-border events calendar.

These regulatory updates represent a further step towards strengthening transparency and legality in the residence permit sector. To delve deeper into this and other topics related to cross-border work in Switzerland, visit our cross-border worker salary calculator.

Source: tvsvizzera.it