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How important are Swiss-EU bilateral agreements for Swiss nationals living abroad?

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As a correspondent at the Federal Palace for SWI swissinfo.ch, I report on federal politics for the Swiss Abroad. After studying at the Academy of Journalism and Media at the University of Neuchâtel, my career path initially took me to various regional media, working in the editorial offices of Journal du Jura, Canal 3 and Radio Jura bernois. Since 2015, I have been working in the multilingual editorial department of SWI swissinfo.ch, where I continue to practise my profession with passion.

After months of negotiations, Switzerland and the European Union announced in December that negotiations on the package of bilateral agreements had been concluded. There is still a long political road ahead, as the dossier will have to be approved by parliament and probably put to a public referendum.

According to the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), the draft agreement safeguards the rights of the 466,000 Swiss citizens living in the European Union. Thanks to the free movement of persons, Swiss people can freely choose their place of work and residence within EU countries, enjoying the same rights as EU/EFTA nationals.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of this package of agreements between Bern and Brussels in your view? How might these agreements affect your life? What would be the impact of this dossier failing in parliament?

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jepyerly@websud.ch
jepyerly@websud.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Too often, too much attention is paid to those Swiss citizens living abroad. Apart from those involved in research and humanitarian aid, many live there for financial reasons, with high pensions, making them rich in comparison to the poor who reside there. The latter do not care about what happens in our country and should not have too much decision-making power.

Trop souvent, on prête trop d'attention à ces Suisses qui vivent à l'étranger. Mis à part ceux de la recherche , de l'aide humanitaires, trop y habitent par mesure d'économie, avec des pensions élevées, faisant de ces personnes riches en comparaison des pauvres qui y résident. Ces derniers, se fichent de ce qui se passe dans otre Pays, et ne devraient pas avoir trop de pouvoir de décision.

Erika & Walter Brand
Erika & Walter Brand
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

This new CH-EU agreement must be analysed in detail, which is very difficult given that it runs to over 2,000 pages. We are not familiar with any agreements of this magnitude. It should be noted that the title "Bilateral III" is misleading. The agreements are not bilateral, i.e. they are not balanced on both sides. Brussels decides, Switzerland has to accept. It is logical that the European Parliament strongly supports these agreements with Switzerland, as Switzerland would have to transfer billions of euros to the EU in order to participate in the market, even though Switzerland regularly imports more from the EU than it exports there. An economic paradox. The richest, most economically healthy and successful countries in Europe are Norway and Switzerland, neither of which belong to the EU and are not bound by it. That says it all. Does Switzerland really want to abandon this successful path?

Dieser neu vorliegende Vertrag CH-EU muss genau analysiert werden, was bei über 2'000 Seiten sehr schwierig ist. Wir kennen keine Verträge von dieser Grössenordnung.__Festzuhalten ist, dass der Titel "Bilaterale III" in die Irre führt. Die Verträge sind nicht bilateral, also nicht auf Augenhöhe beidseitig ausgeglichen. Bruxelles bestimmt, die Schweiz hat zu akzeptieren.__Es ist logisch, dass das EU-Parlament diese Verträge mit der Schweiz stark befürwortet, die Schweiz müsste Milliarden von Euro an die EU überweisen, um am Markt teilnehmen zu können, obwohl die CH regelmässig mehr von der EU importiert als dorthin exportiert. Ein oekonomisches Paradox.__Die reichsten, oekonomisch gesündesten und erfolgreichsten Länder in Europa sind Norwegen und die Schweiz, beide gehören nicht zu EU und sind nicht an sie gebunden. Das sagt alles. Will die Schweiz tatsächlich diesen erfolgreichen Weg verlassen

jepyerly@websud.ch
jepyerly@websud.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

If I leave my company, I no longer enjoy the economic benefits, nor can I make decisions; at most, I receive a small token of appreciation for the work I have done.__It must be the same for Swiss people who settle abroad. After a very short time, they are no longer connected to Swiss political and economic structures.

Si je quitte mon entreprise, je ne profite plus des avantages économiques , ni ne peut prendre des décisions; tout au plus, une petite reconnaissance pour le travail accompli.__Cela doit être pareil pour les Suisses qui s'établissent à l'étranger. Au bout de très peu de temps, ils ne sont plus en corrélation avec les structures politiques, économiques suisses.

luca4444
luca4444
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

I'm happy to contribute.__I live in milan but I know Ticino well.__I don't think many people in Ticino realise.__The EU is a dictatorship where____1 freedom of speech and thought is increasingly threatened____2 they have destroyed our wellbeing ____3 they want to take us to war with russia____4 the quality of life and work is terrible.____5 a certain ursula who no one has ever elected is in charge.____6 they are filling us with riffraff.we are afraid to go out at night( I offer myself for whoever wants a night ride in milan)____7 the eu regulations if applied would block your economy____and I'll stop here.I had a small company and I know what I'm talking about____they want to swallow you up.that's all.then maybe a nice membership in nato to send their children to die.____so it sounds crazy but study history.the dictators and the crazy kings who rule us keep resurfacing.____these things are certainly not found in the corriere del ticino.____find the statements of the criminals we have in power in the uersss and do two and two.you can find everything on the web.unfortunately Switzerland is in danger. understand this.

Mi fa piacere contribuire.__io abito a milano ma conosco bene il Ticino.__Non credo che molti in Ticino si rendono conto.__La UE è una dittatura dove____1 la libertà di parola e di pensiero è sempre più minacciata____2 hanno distrutto il nostro benessere ____3 vogliono portarci ad una guerra con la russia____4 la qualita di vita e di lavoro è terribile.____5 comanda una certa ursula che nessuno ha mai eletto.____6 ci stanno riempiendo di gentaglia.abbiamo paura ad uscire la sera( mi offro per chi volesse per un giro notturno a milano)____7 le normative ue se applicate bloccherebbero la vostra economia____e qui mi fermo.Avevo una piccola ditta e so di cosa parlo____vogliono inghiottirvi.tutto qui.poi magari una bella adesione alla nato per mandare i figli a crepare.____so che sembra pazzesco ma studiate la storia.i dittatori ie re i pazzi che ci comandano continuano a riemergere.____queste cose non le trovate certo sul corriere del ticino.____cercate le affermazioni dei delinquenti che abbiamo al potere nella uerss e fate due piu due.Si trova tutto in rete.Purtroppo la Svizzera è in pericolo. capitelo.

jepyerly@websud.ch
jepyerly@websud.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@luca4444

You are largely correct. Avoid being swallowed up by the EU, which has no respect for democracy. Be wary of Ms V.D. Leiyen!!!

Vous avez en grande partie raison . Éviter de se laisser engloutir par l'UE , qui n'a aucun respect de la démocratie . Se méfier de Mme V.D. Leiyen !!!

BRUN
BRUN
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@luca4444

I completely agree with you.

Entièrement d'accord avec vous.

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts

The Swiss-Uk treaty of 2020 is very important for Swiss living in the UK. ____Unfortunately, the agreement is flawed though, as there is no parity for the Swiss in the UK, and British in Switzerland, because British citizens are subjected to language requirements for Swiss permanent residency, whereas Swiss citizens in the UK are not.____This is typically what happens when the wrong people are at negotiations.____The UK did a better job with the EU Brexit agreement. For example, a Brit getting permanent residence in Poland, is not subject to language requirements. Before brexit they needed B1.

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts

Swiss pay rates must be maintained, so that Swiss residents can continue to shop at Aldi and Lidl - and take their cars to get fixed in Italy. Thus ensuring Swiss residents stay richer than EU residents.

Rainer Bauer
Rainer Bauer
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

The details of the agreement's impact are not yet known to the people. This is more than questionable and therefore there can only be a clear rejection by the people.____ Is neutrality even affected? __What impact will it have on popular democracy - will Switzerland be incapacitated in certain decisions - since Brussels decides?__What impact will it have on the National Bank - which protects and defends the Swiss franc?__Will "Swiss law" then be tried before the EU court?____Switzerland is a fat prey for the EU, it would be "plundered" in 2 years and would simply disappear into insignificance in this disunited, non-functioning construct "EU".____Those who negotiated this "thank God only draft" - are already trying to use all the "voting tricks" to enable it to come into force. ____There will be a short chapter on this in the history books. ____There was also a direct democracy in Switzerland from 1891 to 2028.........,____Maybe then we can introduce a new national anthem - Mr Orban would certainly agree - in exchange for a few billion:____Good evening, good night,__covered with promises,__without rights awakened,__slip under the decks'

Was die Vereinbarung im Detail für Auswirkungen hat, ist dem Volk bis jetzt im Detail nicht bekannt. Das ist mehr als bedenklich und deshalb kann es nur eine deutliche Ablehnung durch das Volk geben.____Ist die Neutralität auch nur angetastet? __Welche Auswirkungen hat es auf die Volksdemokratie -wird die Schweiz bei bestimmten Entscheidungen entmündigt - da Brüssel entscheidet?__welche Auswirkungen hat es auf die Nationalbank - die den Franken schützt und verteidigt.__Wird "Schweizer Recht" dann vor dem EU-Gericht verhandelt?____Die Schweiz ist für die EU eine fette Beute, sie wäre in 2 Jahren "ausgeplündert" und würde in diesem uneinigen, nicht funktionierenden Konstrukt "EU" einfach in der Bedeutungslosigkeit verschwinden.____Die die diesen "Gott sei Dank nur Entwurf" verhandelt haben - versuchen schon jetzt alle "Abstimmung Tricks" einzusetzen, um das Inkrafttreten zu ermöglichen. ____In den Geschichtsbüchern wird es ein kurzes Kapitel dazu geben. ____Es gab auch mal in der Schweiz eine direkte Demokratie von 1891 bis 2028.........,____Vielleicht dürfen wir dann eine neue Nationalhymne einführen - Herr Orban würde bestimmt zustimmen - gegen ein paar Milliarden:____Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht,__mit Versprechen bedeckt,__ohne Rechte erweckt,__schlupf unter die Deck’

Boots
Boots

I echo and fully agree with the sentiment expressed by those advocating NO to the Swiss - EU bilateral agreement and YES to neutrality !!!

TITI17
TITI17
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Boots

yes, but if you inform yourself properly, Switzerland won't

oui mais si vous vous informer comme il faut la Suisse n

john patriot
john patriot

I disagree with this agreement. It would mean Switzerland would have to agree to all UU rules present and future. The EU just wants money from Switzerland. We would have to agree to foreign judges rulings Our rules could be overturned by the Brussels dictatorship. The majority of the Swiss people will vote NO to this draft agreement. Why must Switzerland pay to export to the EU when the EU sells more to Switzerland than we export to the EU. The EU wil in the middle future implode as it is ruled by unelected failed politicians and is bankrupt. This is an organization which is not for Switzerland we must remain neutral and independent

wadel jocelyne
wadel jocelyne
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@john patriot

You're right, the European Union and Brussels are a dictatorship. They do what they want and impose laws on us as they see fit, often in secret and without warning, and if we don't obey they make us pay huge fines.

vous avez raison l'union européenne et Bruxelles sont une dictature ils font ce qu'ils veulent nous impose des lois a leurs convenance et bien souvent en secret sans nous prévenir et si on désobéi elle nous fait payer des grosses amandes je suis française la vie et devenue un enfer si vous avez l'occasion renseigner sur ce qu'il se passe chez nous en dehors des media subventionner par les politiques qui ne font que mentir

BRUN
BRUN
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@john patriot

I completely agree with you. If Switzerland joins the EU, it will be swallowed whole! Since French bosses moved in, there has been a lot of scheming, with no respect for the law or ethics. Not to mention the government jobs in Geneva that are open to non-Swiss Europeans, which don't exist in France! Switzerland is very naive and employers only think about their profits without considering the consequences! No to the EU, never. The EU is in decline and France is bankrupt.

Je partage entièrement vos propos. Si la Suisse rentre dans l'UE elle se fera bouffer toute crue! Depuis que des patrons français s'installent, ils y a beaucoup de magouilles, de nom respect des lois et de l'éthique. Sans compter les postes à l'état de Genève ouverts aux européens non suisses qui n'existent pas en France! La Suisse est d'une grande naïveté et le patronat ne pense qu'à son profit sans les conséquences! Non à l'EU, jamais. L'EU est en perdition et la France en faillite.

SharonaStaeger
SharonaStaeger
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Increased diversity in the Swiss retail market through more competitive companies would not only lower prices, but also encourage innovation and better customer service. This competition could encourage established companies such as Coop, Migros and SBB to improve their offerings and ultimately benefit consumers. .

Eine erhöhte Vielfalt im Schweizer Einzelhandelsmarkt durch wettbewerbsfähigere Unternehmen würde nicht nur die Preise senken, sondern auch Innovationen und besseren Kundenservice fördern. Diese Konkurrenz könnte etablierte Unternehmen wie Coop, Migros und SBB dazu bringen, ihre Angebote zu verbessern und letztlich den Verbrauchern zugutekommen. .

H. Trickler
H. Trickler
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Even if the agreement brings certain (economic) advantages, I don't want to swallow the horrible toad (foreign judges and EU interference).

If the rejection by the people is a fact, the EU will undoubtedly grovel and agree to a balanced bilateral _economic_ treaty.

Suitable solutions will also be found on other issues of interest to both sides, such as education and training.

It is also difficult to understand why the EU has recently concluded balanced bilateral trade agreements with other economically important continents and only wants to benefit so much more from Switzerland:

It is not us but the EU that is cherry-picking :-((

Auch wenn das Abkommen gewisse (wirtschaftliche) Vorteile bringt, will ich die grauslige Kröte (Fremde Richter und Einmischung der EU) nicht schlucken.

Wenn die Ablehnung durch das Volk Tatsache ist, wird die EU zweifellos zu Kreuze kriechen und einem ausgewogenen bilateralen _Wirtschafts_ Vertrag zustimmen.

Über weitere beidseits interessante Themen wie Studium und Ausbildung etc. wird man ebenfalls passende Lösungen finden.

Es ist auch gar nicht einzusehen, warum die EU kürzlich mit anderen wirtschaftlich bedeutenden Kontinenten ausgewogene bilaterale Handelsabkommen abgeschlossen hat und nur mit der Schweiz derart viel mehr profitieren will:

Nicht wir sondern die EU macht Rosinen-Pickerei :-((

Gabriel David-christian
Gabriel David-christian
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Over two thousand years of evolution, good roads, for the West, good roads... stay the course.

Plus de Deux milles ans d'évolutions, bon chemins,pour l'occident,chemins fesant... gardé cap.

Dario Giandeini
Dario Giandeini
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

About 500,000 citizens live abroad, in EU countries, about another 300,000 in non-EU countries and almost 10000000 living in Switzerland. The ratio is 1 / 20 . The ratio makes it clear how much weight to give to the agreements because of the impact they have on citizens. The current agreements have been drawn up with the focus on the economy and not on other central aspects such as sociality and respect for the environment. The federal government has chosen long-term 'sustainability* as the mainstay of development, so that even in its approach towards foreign countries it should / should have considered something other than economic aspects.
Unfortunately, the path to the new bilateral package was conducted with too little consideration for the needs of the resident population, triggering controversy in the place of discussion and setting the work to bring the package to a vote, which was bound to be rejected, on a bad path. Only a part of the Left, deluded by false European promises, a Brussels engulfed by bureaucracy and shady individuals, now supports the package deal. In the vote, failure foretold.

Circa 500000 cittadini che vivono all'estero, in paesi UE, circa altri 300000 in paesi non UE e quasi 10000000 che vivono in Svizzera. Il rapporto è 1 / 20 . La proporzione fa capire quanto sia il peso da dare agli accordi per l'impatto che questi hanno sui cittadini. Gli attuali accordi sono stati elaborati con il focus sull'economia e non su altri aspetti centrali come la socialità e il rispetto per l'ambiente. La Confederazione ha scelto la "sostenibilità* a lungo termine come filone portante dello sviluppo, per cui anche nell'approccio verso l'estero dovrebbe / avrebbe dovuto considerare anche altro se non gli aspetti economici.
Purtroppo la via verso il nuovo pacchetto bilaterale è stato condotto considerando troppo poco le esigenze della popolazione residente, innescando polemica al posto di discussione e mettendo su una brutta strada tutta in salita il lavoro per portare al voto il pacchetto, destinato ad essere rifiutato. Solo una parte della sinistra, illusa da false promesse europee, da una Bruxelles fagocitata dalla burocrazia e da loschi individui, sostiene ormai il pacchetto di accordi. In votazione, fallimento preannunciato.

kaiSer030%?
kaiSer030%?
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

The bilateral agreements are useless for Switzerland and only bring paternalism to our population.
for our population.

Die Bilateralen Verträge sind für die Schweiz nutzlos und bringen nur Bevormundungen
für unsere Bevölkerung.

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts
@kaiSer030%?

To the contrary; many Swiss people are happy to be able to work in the European Union. The bilateral made that easy.

Erika & Walter Brand
Erika & Walter Brand
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

This is not a "bilateral treaty package" but a unilateral treaty of subjugation that severely restricts Swiss sovereignty and the constitutional rights of Swiss citizens and will never be accepted by the sovereign, the voters. Under no circumstances will we allow foreign laws and judges to be imposed on us. This was sworn on the Rütli in 1291 and has stood the test of time over many centuries.
The voters and the cantons will reject this package, which is destroying the foundations of the Swiss state, by a large majority if the Federal Council and Parliament are not capable of doing so or do not have the courage/courage to do so.

Das ist kein "bilaterales Vertragspaket" sondern ein einseitiger, die Schweizer Souveränität und die verfassungsmässigen Rechte der CH-Bürger stark einschränkender Unterwerfungsvertrag, der vom Souverän, dem Stimmbürger niemals angenommen werden wird. Wir werden uns keinesfalls fremde Gesetze und Richter aufoktrieren lassen. Das wurde bereits 1291 auf dem Rütli geschworen und hat sich über viele Jahrhunderte bewährt.
Die Stimmbürger und die Stände werden dieses Paket, welches das schweizerische Staatsfundament zerstört, mit grosser Mehrheit ablehnen, wenn Bundesrat und Parlament dazu nicht fähig sind bzw. den Mut/Courage dazu nicht aufbringen.

Major Wedgie
Major Wedgie
@Erika & Walter Brand

Agreed. The closer Switzerland allows itself to move closer to the EU, the more controlled & poorer we the people will get. Look what happened to Germany. My opinion is that the EU wants to bring all countries down to to same level and not up.

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts
@Erika & Walter Brand

"This was sworn on the Rütli in 1291”____Do you have a citation

e.puglisi.suisse@gmail.com
e.puglisi.suisse@gmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

In my opinion there are pros and cons.
The cons are those generally listed by those who disagree and believe that the world for Switzerland is still similar to what it was before the 2000s.
Unfortunately, this is not the case!
Unfortunately, another quarter of a century has already passed since 2000 and the world is even more different and complex and, for a small country like Switzerland, even dangerous. Not only for the economy, but especially for defence.
Today, we depend not only on those who buy our goods and services, but also on those in Europe who, with their armies united with ours, can defend us in this new world of predators, which is increasingly based on geostrategic centres of influence and relations and balances of power (including military).
So let us welcome agreements and understandings with our four EU countries that surround our borders.

A mio parere ci sono pro e contro.
I contro sono quelli elencati in genere da chi non e' d'accordo e crede che il mondo, per la Svizzera, sia ancora simile a quello anteriore agli anni 2000.
Purtroppo non e' cosi!
Purtroppo dal 2000 ad oggi e' gia trascorso un ulteriore quarto di secolo e il mondo e' ancora piu' diverso e complesso e, per un piccolo Paese come la Svizzera, anche pericoloso. Non solo per l'Economia, ma soprattutto per la Difesa.
Oggi dipendiamo non solo da chi ci compra le nostre merci e i nostri servizi, ma da chi, in Europa, con i loro eserciti uniti al nostro, ci potra' difendere in questo nuovo mondo di predatori, semore piu basato su centri di influenza geostrategica e rapporti ed equilibri di forza (anche militare).
Quindi ben vengano accordi ed intese con i nostri 4 Paesi della UE che attorniano le nostre frontiere

Rafiq Tschannen
Rafiq Tschannen

My daughter lives in Amsterdam. With the free movement laws in place between Switzerland and the EU she has no problems living and studying and working there. I hope this could continue.

OCRAM
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Rafiq Tschannen

He could just as well have lived there without an agreement!

Avrebbe benissimo potuto viverci anche senza accordi!

H. Trickler
H. Trickler
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Rafiq Tschannen

This would be just as possible with or without bilateral agreements!

Auch ohne oder mit bilateralen Verträgen wäre dies genau so gut möglich!

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts
@H. Trickler

Regardless of the law, what is possible is often dependent on a bureaucrat and therein lays the issue.

Anonymous
Anonymous

EU is woke. EU is pro-immigration and pro-integration but has no accountability if that fails. I do not believe Switzerland have any real benefits for following EU agreements and the politicians are self-proclaiming their own importance and digging a big hole for swiss people by agreeing with EU with unchecked powers.

Fastegene
Fastegene

The EU is. Mid-20th century creation that is outdated. Switzerland is way more forward and is signing free trade agreements with China and will maintain better relationships with the US than any country of the EU, which means US companies will still invest here. In brief, these agreements are useless and the Swiss people must vote no.

OCRAM
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Fastegene

Wait and hope! You will see what a great future with Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping as the world's new dictators! Myopia is always dangerous and must be corrected as soon as possible, otherwise there will be trouble for everyone!

Aspetta e spera! Vedrai che bel futuro con Trump, Putin e Xi Jinping quali nuovi dittatori del mondo intero! La miopia è sempre pericolosa e va corretta al più presto, se no saranno guai per tutti!

JustTheFacts
JustTheFacts
@Fastegene

Hence why the UK left the European Union.

Marcel43
Marcel43
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Any agreement with the EU is tantamount to a betrayal of neutrality.

Tout accord avec l'u-e equivaut à une trahison de la neutralité.

H. Trickler
H. Trickler
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Marcel43

A pure trade agreement like the former Treaty of Rome would be unproblematic.

Ein reines Handelsabkommen wie früher die Römer-Verträge wäre unproblematisch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR