Figures released by the Federal Statistical Office on FridayExternal link showed net immigration of European Union (EU)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizens rose by nearly 31,000 in 2018, slightly more than in 2017.
Overall immigration – which is managed by quotas for foreigners from third countries (including, for example, the United States) and temporary limits on some newer members of the EU – increased 2.9% to nearly 55,000 people.
This means that almost 2.1 million foreigners – more than two-thirds of them from the EU and EFTA countries – lived in Switzerland at the end of 2018 (of these, some 400,000 were born in Switzerland). The total population is 8.4 million.
Italians make up the biggest group of foreigners, followed by Germans and Portuguese.
Free movement?
The statistics come at a time when the country’s free movement of people policy is being challenged.
Non-EU Switzerland allows free movement of people from EU and EFTA members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway in return for enhanced access to the EU’s single market.
But the conservative right Swiss People’s Party and anti-EU AUNS group are trying to force a referendum on ending the free-movement accord with the EU, arguing there are too many foreigners. No date for a vote has been set.
More
More
Initiative to stop free movement with EU takes next step
This content was published on
Campaigners seeking to end Switzerland’s free movement of people agreement with the EU have handed in signatures in Bern.
The Swiss government opposes the referendum, saying free movement is an essential part of ties with the EU, which is Switzerland’s biggest trading partner.
The EU and Switzerland are currently also locked in negotiations on a framework agreement for bilateral relations which includes the free movement of people.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
Heavy snowfall in Switzerland causes traffic chaos and accidents
This content was published on
The heavy snowfall late on Thursday and during the night into Friday led to traffic chaos and many accidents in many regions of Switzerland.
Chimpanzee behaviours passed down through generations
This content was published on
Some of the complex behaviours of chimpanzees have been passed down and refined over generations. These include the combination of several tools for foraging.
More than 600,000 rounds of Swiss sniper ammunition reach Ukraine
This content was published on
Sniper ammunition from Swiss P Defence reached Ukraine via a Polish company in July 2023, reported SRF Investigativ on Thursday, citing official information.
Switzerland launches national digital inclusion alliance
This content was published on
The Swiss government launched the Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance on Thursday with the goal of giving as many people as possible access to digital services.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Defining the 25% foreign population in Switzerland
This content was published on
For the first time, Switzerland has 2 million foreigners living in its midst. But just who exactly are they? These graphics offer an explanation.
EU ramps up pressure on Switzerland to sign framework deal
This content was published on
The EU has stepped up pressure on Switzerland to sign a framework agreement by threatening to freeze discussions in other areas of cooperation.
This content was published on
The Swiss government says it will limit the number of Britons who can enter the country to work in the case of a no deal on March 29.
This content was published on
New statistics underline Geneva’s status as the most international canton: almost two-thirds of residents have a foreign passport.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.