Switzerland approves bilateral agreements with Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria to finance migration projects

The total funding amounts to CHF 60 million, forming part of Switzerland’s second contribution to selected EU member states. Switzerland will allocate CHF 28.65 million to Greece, CHF 21.35 million to Bulgaria, and CHF 10 million to Cyprus from the 2025–2029 migration framework credit. The agreements are expected to be signed later this year. The selection of these three countries was based on objective criteria linked to migration pressures and their relevance to Switzerland. Most asylum seekers arriving in Switzerland transit through Greece or Bulgaria, while Cyprus and Bulgaria have hosted many people fleeing Ukraine. The focus of the projects will be on supporting unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, early integration measures, and, in Greece and Bulgaria, strengthening asylum procedures. In Cyprus, efforts will also include return and reintegration assistance. This new phase follows the first contribution (2022–2026), in which Switzerland provided CHF 70 million—CHF 40 million for Greece, CHF 20 million for Italy, and CHF 10 million for Cyprus. In addition to bilateral programs, Switzerland also maintains a rapid response fund to support international or non-governmental organizations in EU countries facing acute migration pressures.