Posted Wed Jul 22 18:40:00 UTC 2009

Considering the history of successful integration, it is understandable that Switzerland is reluctant to accept external advice (eg. From the EU) regarding the regulation of the relationship of different nationalities. Regardless, many Swiss claim to be afraid of being overrun by foreign influences, which they worry will lead to racial disharmony as has occurred in neighboring countries. In fact Switzerland was ‘overrun by foreigners’ long ago and has remained peaceful and well functioning.
In 2002 an agreement was established with the EU on the free movement of persons which has been implemented on a stepped approach and since 2007, every EU citizen is guaranteed the right of permanent residence in Switzerland. Excluding the right to vote, EU citizens are treated equally to Swiss in most other areas of life. This is on the condition of having already found a job or that a job will be found within 6 months; have sufficient financial resources and being of good character. In the last few years, tens of thousands of Germans have moved to Switzerland in order to live and work. To have your main residence in Switzerland, gives you the right to unlimited purchase of property (but does not extend to the letting of property and property speculation/investment).
Non-EU members do not have an automatic right to permanent residence (PR). Every request for PR for is a long procedure, and is judged on a case-by-case basis and must be found to be ‘in the interest of Switzerland’.
The ‘extended freedom of movement’ vote that took place in February 2009 referred to the question of whether all new EU member states or if only EU members as of 2002 should have the law applied as was originally implemented. Right-winged political parties were concerned that the more impoverished new EU members of Bulgaria and Romania would ‘rush’ to Switzerland to take advantage of our favourable social welfare system. The media used this situation internationally to accuse Switzerland of Xenophobia. Despite this, Swiss citizens voted in favour of extending the agreement to include all new EU member states. The canton of Ticino was the only canton to vote against proposal with a significant majority against. This may be because of Ticino’s close proximity to Italy, where already heated debate occurs on the issue of Bulgarian and Romanian Gypsies. Regardless of the new agreement, regulations require all foreigners intending to purchase a vacation home, to have permission, with the size of the property limited for the use of vacation in appropriate holiday areas.

Posted By: Ueli F. Schnorf