If you want to settle in Switzerland, you will have to make every effort to integrate and, in some cases, even sign an official agreement to this effect.
But first: what are the official integration criteria?
In a nutshell, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) defines this process as participation in the economic, social, and cultural life of society, which requires not only proficiency in the national language of a particular region, but also familiarity with the Swiss way of life and local customs.
An ‘integrated’ foreigner must also obey the country’s laws and not pose any threat to Switzerland’s security.
For the Swiss, however, ‘integration’ has a deeper meaning; it goes beyond knowing the facts and doing the right thing to the emotional connection to Switzerland in general and the foreigner’s local community in particular.
According to SEM, “anyone immigrating to Switzerland is expected to integrate themselves responsibly into their new environment. Integration agreements and recommendations help to plan this learning process in a binding manner.”
READ MORE: What does being ‘successfully integrated’ in Switzerland mean?
And this is where the integration contract comes into play
In it, cantonal migration authorities can make the granting or extension of permits B and L conditional upon attendance of language and integration courses they organise (read about that below).
As SEM explains it, “the integration agreement transparently outlines the contribution that newcomers are expected to make as part of their integration. It may, in particular, include objectives for acquiring language skills, for educational or vocational and economic integration, as well as for gaining knowledge about living conditions, the economic system, and the legal system in Switzerland.”
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Do all foreign nationals have to sign it?
These contracts are generally concluded with immigrants from third countries, not persons from EU/EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) or family members of Swiss citizens.
Also, implementation is largely decentralised, with the decision left up to individual cantons.
For instance, Basel-City, Bern, and St.Gallen are among the cantons where this document is compulsory.
Others, like Zug, do not mandate it, on the basis that these contracts require a great deal of administrative effort.
Zurich, where the contracts are not obligatory, is now considering introducing this system as well.
Aside from the standard requirements, such as language proficiency, a motion to this effect in the cantonal parliament also wants to include these six points in the agreement:
- Men and women are equal
- The law prevails over religion
- Everyone learns/masters a national language
- Children attend compulsory school without exception
- Integration into the labour market within one year
- Respect laws and don’t commit offences
READ MORE: Immigrants in Zurich could be obliged to sign an ‘integration contract’
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What exactly does Switzerland do to help foreigners integrate?
Article 4 of the Swiss Federal Act on Integration states that “the federal government’s contributions to promoting integration are intended to enable foreigners to participate in economic and social life, and to foster social cohesion.”
“These measures contribute, in particular, to faster and more sustainable professional integration of migrants,” SEM said.
Concretely, the federal government has earmarked about 248.8 million francs to be distributed to cantons for their own integration programmes (PIC).
“The PICs are the main strategic instrument of Swiss integration policy.” the Federal Council said. “They are based on programme agreements concluded between the Confederation and the cantons. The 2024-2027 agreements provide for seven areas of support, including language, trainability and employability, as well as living together and participation.”
“These funds will enable the cantons to finance measures aimed primarily at immigrants from EU and EFTA, as well as those from third countries,” the government added.
The biggest amounts are earmarked toward language courses (88 million francs), employment (73 million), and counselling (26 million).
READ ALSO: How does Switzerland spend its money on helping foreign residents integrate?
