On 22 November 2023, the Federal Council decided to maintain the activation of the safeguard clause established in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (“AFMP”) with regard to Croatian workers in 2024. Consequently, a maximum of 1,204 B permits and 1,053 L permits may be issued to Croatian workers between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Background
Croatia joined the European Union on July 1, 2013 and the AFMP was extended on their behalf on January 1, 2017 as a result of the entry into force of the corresponding additional protocol (Protocol III). Thus, providing preferable residence and working conditions for EU nationals in Switzerland. This protocol does not, however, provide for a full and immediate application of the AFMP to Croatian nationals. In particular, it incorporates a safeguard clause in the AFMP allowing Switzerland to unilaterally reintroduce quotas for Croatian workers in the event of a great increase in immigration, for a period of ten years from the entry into force of Protocol III, i.e. until December 31, 2026.
