The Swiss Federal Council has decided to keep the temporary protection status for Ukrainians (Program S) in place for those who left Ukraine because of the full-scale invasion of russia until March 4, 2026.

The Swiss government has announced this on its website.

This decision is based on the security situation in Ukraine. It can be revised when things improve.

The Federal Council has granted Ukrainian refugees protection since March 12, 2022.

A residence permit of the appropriate category entitles the holder to live and work in Switzerland and receive social assistance. Refugees who had been living in Ukraine until February 24, 2022, were eligible to receive this permit.

As of the end of August, approximately 66,000 Ukrainians had been granted S protection status in Switzerland.

We reported on the extension of protection for Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania.