The Swiss Federal Council opened a consultation on proposed amendments to the Asylum Financing Ordinance (Asylum Ordinance 2) that would give cantons greater discretion in setting social assistance levels for beneficiaries of protection status S who have resided in Switzerland for more than five years.
The initiative follows Parliament’s adoption of the 2027 budget relief package, under which the Confederation will cease providing financial contributions to cantons for these beneficiaries from 1 January 2027. Cantons would be allowed to determine the amount of social assistance under their own laws from March 2027, choosing between maintaining reduced benefits, aligning assistance with that available to Swiss citizens and other resident foreigners, or adopting an intermediate approach.
The proposal also introduces a CHF 1,300 lump-sum federal contribution to cantons for emergency assistance provided to former S-status holders whose protection status has been revoked and whose removal decisions have become final.
The consultation process will run until 15 October 2026, with the amended ordinance expected to enter into force on 1 March 2027.
- Federal Council | Der Bundesrat | Conseil fédéral | Consiglio federale (12 August, 2026), Aide sociale accordée aux bénéficiaires du statut S : une plus grande marge de manœuvre pour les cantons [Social assistance for S status recipients: more leeway for the cantons],