(Last change 10/22/2021)
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State Secretariat for Migration
Bern-Wabern, October 22nd, 2021 – The 24th meeting of the Joint Committee between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FZA) took place on October 22nd via video conference. As usual, the two delegations discussed various questions relating to the application and further development of the FZA. The Swiss side has informed that Croatia will have full freedom of movement from 2022.
The meeting of the Joint Committee, chaired by the European Union, took place again via video conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the exchange, both sides stated that the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons basically works well and, in this context, highlighted the most important events of the past twelve months.
Introduction of the full freedom of movement for Croatia on January 1, 2022
In accordance with the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU (Protocol III to the FZA), Switzerland has so far maintained labor market protection measures for Croatian nationals.
At its meeting on October 1, 2021, the Federal Council decided to introduce unrestricted freedom of movement for Croatia from January 1, 2022. This means that Croatian employees are treated on an equal footing with other EU / EFTA nationals. The Swiss delegation officially informed the EU of this decision at the joint committee.
If the immigration of Croatian workers exceeds a certain threshold, Switzerland can invoke a safeguard clause and limit the number of permits again from January 1, 2023 and until the end of 2026 at the latest.
As of December 31, 2020, there were 28,324 Croatian nationals in Switzerland (+6 people compared to 2019). They made up 1.9% of the EU / EFTA population living in Switzerland.
Exchange of information on application and enforcement issues
Switzerland informed the EU about the latest findings from the implementation of the job registration requirement. She also provided the EU with statistics and information on the case law passed in connection with the expulsion of criminal foreigners from the country. At the request of Switzerland, the EU provided information on the latest developments in relation to the rights of Swiss nationals in various EU member states.
The Swiss-EU Joint Committee usually meets once a year to jointly discuss issues relating to the application of the FZA. The Swiss delegation was headed by Cornelia Lüthy, Vice Director at the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The EU delegation was headed by Clara Ganslandt, Head of the Western Europe Department in the European External Action Service.
Address for queries
Information and communication SEM, [email protected]
editor
State Secretariat for Migration
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home.html
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