Current developments
In 2024, the Swiss parliament made another attempt to eliminate discrimination against Swiss nationals in family reunification. In June 2024, the National Council voted in favor of an amendment to the law that provided for equal treatment of Swiss citizens and EU/EFTA nationals with regard to family reunification. However, the draft contained a provision that required an integration agreement when extending the residence permit for family members joining them, while only an integration recommendation is possible for EU/EFTA nationals.
However, the Council of States rejected the bill in the 2024 fall session. The majority of the Council argued that the effects of the change in the law could not be assessed and feared uncontrolled immigration. As a result, the National Council’s Political Institutions Committee also spoke out against the bill and requested that the issue of discrimination against Swiss nationals in family reunification no longer be discussed. In the spring session 2025, the National Council followed this proposal on March 17, 2025 and decided not to adopt the bill.
Conclusion: discrimination against nationals in family reunification remains in place
With the failure of both Councils to act, the matter is closed – discrimination against Swiss nationals in family reunification continues to exist. Despite parliamentary initiatives, no agreement has yet been reached to eliminate this unequal treatment of Swiss and EU/EFTA citizens.
Whether and when there will be a renewed discussion or legislative initiative to eliminate this unequal treatment is currently uncertain.
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Matthias Fricker
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the University of St. Gallen, graduating with a Master in Law (M.A. HSG in Law) in 2012, registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Zurich, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
Fabian Füllemann
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Zurich, graduating with a Master of Law UZH in 2013, registered with the Zurich Bar Registry, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
