Ukrainians in Switzerland: From S Permit to B Permit, Cantonal Concerns

Context

In brief

• From 2027, approximately 46,000 people with S status in Switzerland will automatically switch to B residence permit.
• This will change the rules for access to social services and may impact Ticino cross-border workers.

Key facts

• What: Change of status for Ukrainians in Switzerland from S permit to B permit
• When: From 2027
• Where: Throughout Switzerland, with a focus on Ticino canton
• Who: Ukrainians with S status in Switzerland
• Amount: Not specified in the source

The canton of Ticino expresses concern about the change of status for Ukrainians in Switzerland from S permit to B permit. The change may impact Ticino cross-border workers and the canton's social services. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has indicated that between 2022 and 2025, approximately 29 million francs were paid to Ticino under the S program, but the number of S status holders who found employment is among the lowest in Switzerland.

Impact on Ticino cross-border workers

The change of status may have consequences for the Ticino cross-border worker community. Currently, approximately 12,000 Ukrainians with S permit work in Switzerland and many of them live in Ticino communes such as Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso. The switch to B permit may involve increased costs for these workers, as the B permit requires mandatory health insurance and an annual fee of 300 francs.

Furthermore, the B permit requires a fixed residence in Switzerland, which may increase demand for housing in Ticino canton. According to the Swiss Real Estate portal, the average price per square meter for an apartment in Lugano is approximately 8,000 francs, which could represent a significant financial burden for cross-border workers who decide to move to Switzerland.

Impact on Ticino canton's social services

The change of status may also have an impact on Ticino canton's social services. Currently, S permit holders have limited access to social services in Switzerland, but the switch to B permit may change this situation. In particular, the B permit grants access to social services such as social assistance, healthcare, and education. According to the Ticino canton's Department of Health and Social Affairs, approximately 140 million francs were spent on social services in 2020, which may increase if B permit holders have greater rights to access these services.

Operational checklist for Ticino cross-border workers

For Ticino cross-border workers who may be affected by the change of status, here is an operational checklist to consider:

1. Check your own residence status and type of residence permit in Switzerland. 2. Inform yourself with the competent authorities about your rights and obligations regarding the change of status. 3. Evaluate the impact of the change of status on your cost of living, such as health insurance and the annual fee for the B permit. 4. Consider the possibility of moving to Switzerland and evaluate the associated costs of purchasing or renting a home. 5. Inform yourself about your rights to access social services in Switzerland and evaluate if you may need to request assistance in this area.

Practical scenario comparisons

To better understand the impact of the change of status, it is useful to compare two practical scenarios. In the first scenario, a Ukrainian worker with S permit continues to work in Switzerland but does not move to Switzerland. In this case, the worker may be forced to pay higher costs for health insurance and may have limited access to social services in Switzerland.

In the second scenario, the same worker decides to move to Switzerland to obtain the B permit. In this case, the worker may have access to a wider range of social services in Switzerland, but may also be forced to pay higher costs for housing and health insurance.

In both cases, it is important that Ukrainian workers with S permit carefully evaluate their options and inform themselves with the competent authorities to fully understand the impact of the change of status.

Operational details

Implications for Ticino cross-border workers

The change in status of Ukrainians in Switzerland could have consequences for Ticino cross-border workers. The canton of Ticino has received funds to support people arriving from Ukraine, but the number of S-status holders who have found employment is low. The director of the Department of Health and Social Affairs (DSS), Raffaele De Rosa, has expressed concern about the financial burden that the status change could have on the canton. The change could result in a financial burden of around 300 million francs for the period 2027-2032.

The change in status of Ukrainians in Switzerland, from S permit to B permit, could significantly impact the situation of Ticino cross-border workers. The S permit is a temporary work permit, while the B permit is a long-term work permit. The status change could lead to an increase in the number of Ukrainians who decide to stay in Switzerland long-term, which could impact the availability of work for Ticino cross-border workers.

The canton of Ticino has received funds to support people arriving from Ukraine, but the number of S-status holders who have found employment is low. According to DSS data, only 30% of S-status holders have found a job in the canton of Ticino. This could be due to the fact that many of these people do not speak Italian or do not have the necessary skills to work in the canton.

The director of DSS, Raffaele De Rosa, has expressed concern about the financial burden that the status change could have on the canton. The change could result in a financial burden of around 300 million francs for the period 2027-2032. This could be due to the increase in the number of people seeking access to social and healthcare services in the canton.

The status change could also impact the economic situation of Ticino municipalities. For example, the municipality of Lugano could see an increase in the number of people seeking access to social and healthcare services, which could lead to an increase in tax pressure on citizens. On the other hand, the status change could also lead to an increase in the number of consumers in the canton, which could have a positive impact on the local economy.

To address these challenges, the canton of Ticino could consider various measures. For example, it could invest in training programs to help S-status holders find work in the canton. It could also consider increasing taxes to cover the additional financial burden. However, these measures could have a negative impact on the local economy and the quality of life of citizens.

In conclusion, the change in status of Ukrainians in Switzerland could have a significant impact on the situation of Ticino cross-border workers and municipalities. The canton of Ticino will have to address these challenges carefully and consider appropriate measures to mitigate the negative effects of the status change.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

What to do if you are a Ticino cross-border worker

If you are a Ticino cross-border worker who works with people with status S, you may want to consider the implications of the status change. From March 1, 2022, the S permit has been replaced by the B permit for Ukrainian workers in Switzerland. This change may have a significant impact on your business and your employees.

First, it's important to understand the differences between the two permits. The S permit was a temporary permit that allowed Ukrainian workers to work in Switzerland for a maximum period of 90 days. The B permit, on the other hand, is a long-term permit that allows workers to stay in Switzerland for a longer period, up to four years.

If your employees previously had an S status, you may need to help them obtain the new B permit. This may require submitting additional documents, such as an unlimited employment contract or a declaration from the employer stating the intention to hire the worker on an unlimited basis. It may be useful to contact the Population Office of your municipality for further information and assistance.

Furthermore, you may need to evaluate the financial implications of the status change. For example, workers with a B permit may be subject to higher taxes than those with an S permit. It may be useful to consult a tax advisor to assess the financial impact of the status change.

Finally, you may need to help your employees integrate into Swiss society. The canton of Ticino offers integration programs for people arriving from Ukraine, such as language courses and vocational training. It may be useful to contact the Department of Health and Social Affairs (DSS) of the canton of Ticino for further information and to help your employees participate in these programs.

In summary, if you are a Ticino cross-border worker who works with people with status S, it is important to evaluate the implications of the status change and help your employees obtain the new B permit. It may be useful to seek assistance from the Population Office of your municipality and the Department of Health and Social Affairs of the canton of Ticino.

For a precise net salary calculation, use our tax comparator: compare take-home pay between G and B permits with all 2026 deductions.

Source: rsi.ch