(MENAFN) Switzerland has announced new restrictions on asylum eligibility for Ukrainian refugees, limiting temporary protection to those from areas near the front line of the ongoing conflict. The decision, unveiled Wednesday by the Swiss Federal Council, comes amid growing domestic pressure to reassess the country’s refugee policy.

Starting November 1, new Ukrainian arrivals will only receive S protection status—a temporary asylum designation—if their last residence was in regions directly affected by hostilities. This status allows beneficiaries to travel abroad and re-enter Switzerland without a permit.

“When granting temporary protection, a distinction is now made between regions to which return is considered reasonable and unreasonable,” the council said. Western Ukrainian regions including Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi were deemed “safe” for return.

Switzerland will continue extending protection for current Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2027, aligning with the policy of other Schengen Area states.

The move follows similar steps by several European countries to tighten support for Ukrainian migrants. In Poland, President Karol Nawrocki last month signed legislation restricting welfare access to Ukrainians, limiting benefits to families with employed parents and school-enrolled children. The measure, officials said, was intended to curb “tourism from Ukraine at the expense of Polish taxpayers.”

Germany and Finland have also announced plans this year to reduce benefits for Ukrainian refugees as Europe reassesses its long-term response to the war.

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