Protection status S for people from Ukraine
Official name: Schutzstatus S / statut de protection S
Switzerland grants protection status S to people seeking protection from the war in Ukraine, without a full asylum procedure. From 20 August 2026 (general ruling of 19 August 2026) it covers Ukrainian citizens and their family members who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, plus certain stateless people and other nationals, and people liable for military service must have fulfilled their military obligations. Since 1 November 2025 SEM treats return to seven western oblasts as reasonable when assessing new applications. Status S lasts until the Federal Council withdraws it; it has decided not to revoke it before 4 March 2027 unless the situation in Ukraine changes fundamentally.
Life in Switzerland
Finance
3
Currency
Swiss Franc
CHF
Swiss Franc
Cost of living
128
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
0.77–11.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 8.1%
Federal direct tax only: rises in steps (marginal rate peaks at 13.2%) to a flat 11.5% on very high incomes (about CHF 794,000+ for single people, before inflation indexing); cantonal and communal taxes come on top and are usually much larger.
Living
1
Happiness
#10 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Ukrainian citizens seeking protection and their family members who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, and certain stateless people and other nationals, assessed individually.
Eligibility
Groups covered from 20 August 2026
The ruling covers Ukrainian citizens seeking protection and their family members who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, plus certain stateless persons and other nationals.
From 20 August 2026- Each application is assessed individually
- People who already hold status S are not affected
Official wording
Under the general ruling of 19 August 2026, the eligible groups are Ukrainian citizens seeking protection and their family members who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, along with certain stateless persons and other nationals. Each application is assessed individually. The rule applies to all new applications submitted on or after 20 August 2026; people who already hold status S are not affected.
Military service obligations
If you are required to perform military service, you must have fulfilled your military obligations.
From 20 August 2026Official wording
From 20 August 2026, people who are required to perform military service must have fulfilled their military obligations.
Regions considered safe for return (from 1 November 2025)
SEM considers return to seven western Ukrainian oblasts reasonable.
Oblasts considered reasonable for return
From 1 November 2025- Oblast
- Volyn
- Oblast
- Rivne
- Oblast
- Lviv
- Oblast
- Ternopil
- Oblast
- Zakarpattia
- Oblast
- Ivano-Frankivsk
- Oblast
- Chernivtsi
- Also applies if the application was submitted before that date
Official wording
SEM considers return to the Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi oblasts reasonable. This applies to all applications decided after 1 November 2025, even if submitted before.
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