The Swiss Federal Council has decided to extend the S protection status for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026, due to the ongoing instability in Ukraine.

This decision aligns with the European Union's earlier extension of similar protections.

While most Swiss cantons support the extension, some demand stricter measures to prevent misuse, such as mandatory language learning and proof of employment efforts.

The protection status, initially introduced in March 2022, allows Ukrainians to stay in Switzerland without undergoing a regular asylum process.

Currently, around 66,000 Ukrainians benefit from this status.

The Swiss government also aims to increase the employment rate among these refugees to 40% by the end of the year, supporting integration efforts with financial contributions to the cantons.