Switzerland: immigration falls and emigration grows in 2026 (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• 40,000 foreign residents left Switzerland in the first half of 2026
• 74,112 new arrivals registered in the first six months, down 2.9%
• Foreign emigration up 4.3% compared to 2025
• Net migration balance down by 12.5% to 29,884

Key facts

• What: Change in the foreign permanent resident population
• When: First semester 2026
• Where: Swiss Confederation
• Who: State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
• Amount: 2.43 million foreign residents at the end of June
• Percentage: 12.5% decrease for net migration
• Permits: 33,219 permits for border workers issued

Almost 40,000 permanent foreign residents left Switzerland during the first half of 2026, registering an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period of the previous year. According to the Ministry of Migration (SEM), this phenomenon is part of a broader trend in which emigration by foreign residents is constantly growing from 2023. At the same time, the inflows show signs of slowing down. During the first six months of 2026, exactly 74,112 foreign nationals joined the permanent resident population of Switzerland, marking a decrease of 2.9% compared to the previous twelve months. The combination of these factors resulted in a 12.5% contraction in net migration to 29,884.

Operational details

Official data published by federal authorities call into question the common perception that migratory movement towards the Confederacy represents a one-way path. A significant share of highly skilled workers from nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Canada tend to move temporarily and then leave again. Among migrants from OECD countries outside the EU and EFTA, it is estimated that between 70% and 80% will leave Switzerland again within three to five years. Historically, based on long-term cohort data, about 20% of people who arrived in Switzerland in 2011 had already left the country within two years. The figure increases significantly over time: after five years the starting rate reaches 35%, while after ten years the percentage reaches almost half. Many workers arrive knowing that their stay will be temporary, often sent by multinational companies for the duration of a single project or with a temporary assignment, at the end of which they return to their country of origin or move to new professional destinations.

The central role of employment and the labour market

Paid employment remains the main motivation for foreign nationals to settle in Switzerland. Over four fifths of total immigration from the EU and EFTA area is directly linked to reasons

Recommended tools

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

Key points

The indicators of the national labour market show a phase of general cooling of the related flows. Switzerland issued 33,219 new border permits during the first half of 2026, a decrease of 10% compared to the 36,876 permits issued in the same period of the previous year. On the other hand, short-term work permits increased from 164,779 to 169,514, an increase of 3%. A further turning point in outflows is retirement. A Swiss pension guarantees greater purchasing power in countries with a lower cost of living than Switzerland. This dynamic is particularly evident among Portuguese citizens who arrived in Switzerland during the 1980s: many of them are now returning to Portugal, where the proceeds of their Swiss pensions offer greater economic sustainability. For those who wish to deepen their social security planning or evaluate the economic impact of their employment in Swiss territory, calcola stipendio e imposte con il nostro strumento dedicato. Carefully checking your contribution position and income prospects is a fundamental step to better manage any job transition or future return to your country of origin.

Source: lenews.ch