Compare countries

Status S lasts until the Federal Council lifts it — not before 4 March 2028. The S permit is issued for 1 year and renewed by the cantonal migration office (apply 3 months to 14 days before expiry).

Passport/ID; signed host confirmation if you stay privately. Since 20 Aug 2026: proof of meeting military obligations. Status S only if your last residence was in an occupied or contested region.

Online via RegisterMe (if you have housing and ID) to book an appointment; otherwise go directly to the federal asylum centre. Registration at Urtenen-Schönbühl (canton of Bern); SEM then assigns you a canton.

SEM publishes no average. Registration (personal data, fingerprints, checks) takes place on the appointment day; the canton is assigned by population share, not by choice.

When the Federal Council lifts status S (workers then get 12 months to leave). Lost if your centre of life moves abroad (presumed after 2+ months away); may be revoked after >15 days in Ukraine per half-year.

Bus, train (via EU countries), car. No flights from Ukraine — airspace closed to civil aviation; fly from neighbouring countries.

Ukraine is a rabies-risk country: microchip, rabies vaccination, antibody test at an approved lab and a longer wait; pets under 7 months not allowed; customs check (red exit) mandatory.

German, French or Italian depending on the canton (vocational training needs B1); English helps. Cantons offer language courses under integration programmes.

Yes, employment and self-employment anywhere in Switzerland. No permit, but the job must be reported before it starts (employer via EasyGov or to the canton). RAV job centres can help.

Health specialists (doctors, nurses, pharmacists), construction managers and foremen, engineering technicians, electricians. Demand for office, ICT and finance jobs is falling (2025 index).

Health insurance is compulsory. If you receive social assistance, the canton registers you and pays the premiums; others must insure within 3 months. Dental care, glasses: get approval first.

Kindergarten is free and compulsory (e.g. Zurich: 2 years from age 4, within 11 free school years; varies by canton). Daycare (Kita) for younger children is paid; vouchers reduce fees (e.g. Bern).

Yes. Children attend public school where they live: a regular class with intensive language lessons, or first a class for foreign-language pupils.

Social assistance (cantonal law) pays rent within local limits, or you live in cantonal housing or with a host family; private housing usually means cash, cantonal housing mostly benefits in kind.

No general lump-sum payment.

Cantonal social assistance, amounts vary: e.g. Solothurn CHF 768/month (single person); Aargau approx. CHF 16.50/day for food, pocket money and household + CHF 20/month clothing; plus rent and health insurance.

Part of the family's social assistance (e.g. Aargau CHF 5–8/day by age). If a parent works: family allowance from CHF 215/month per child (CHF 268 training allowance from 16).

Approx.: average net rent of a 4-room flat CHF 1,708/month (end of 2024); recently let new-build 4-room flats about CHF 2,300; utilities extra.

Approx. CHF 300 per person per month: households spend about CHF 640/month on food and soft drinks (2.07 persons on average, FSO 2023).

Public kindergarten: free. Kita (daycare) fees vary by commune and provider; discounts via childcare vouchers (e.g. Bern); typical full price: —

Public schools: free. Private school fees: —

Compulsory basic insurance 2027: average CHF 487.60/month per adult, CHF 128.10 per child (varies by canton); paid by social assistance if you have no income.

Since Nov 2025 new status S only for people last living in occupied or contested regions (return to Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi regions is deemed reasonable). Since 20 Aug 2026 new applicants must have met military obligations. From Mar 2027, after 5 years, a B permit tied to status S (ends with it) or a hardship permit is possible. SEM FAQ