EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work

Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In 2024, net immigration from the EU/EFTA will amount to 53,700 people, 10,000 fewer than in 2023. This will make it possible to meet the strong growth in demand for highly qualified workers. Swiss companies are also recruiting in the European Union in order to find workers in the hotel and catering, construction and industrial sectors, areas where the indigenous workforce is no longer sufficient, SECO points out in its report published on Tuesday. + How free movement impacts the Swiss economy With similar characteristics, EU/EFTA nationals are paid on average similar salaries to Swiss nationals. However, a risk of wage undercutting linked to the employment of cross-border commuters has been identified in Ticino. The high level of immigration ...