Swiss Warn EU Jobless Reform Could Cost Millions

2026-05-08 02:49:35

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) A planned reform of unemployment insurance rules for European Union cross‐border workers could prove costly for Switzerland. According to estimates by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the change could result in additional annual costs of between CHF600 million and CHF900 million ($771 million-CHF1.1 billion). Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: Swiss warn EU jobless reform could cost millions This content was published on May 8, 2026 - 12:00 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

Français fr Réforme de l'UE sur les frontaliers chômeurs: coûts pour la Suisse Original Read more: Réforme de l'UE sur les frontaliers chômeurs: coûts pour la S

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The EU is seeking to redefine responsibility for paying unemployment benefits to cross‐border workers. Under the proposed reform, it would no longer be the state of residence that pays benefits, but the state where the worker was last employed before becoming unemployed.

SECO published the estimates on its website on Thursday, figures first reported by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ). The secretariat cautioned that the calculations are subject to considerable uncertainty, as Switzerland has limited data on unemployed cross‐border workers. A more precise estimate will only be possible once the final version of the revised EU regulation is known.
Swiss approval required
Before the regulation can enter into force, it must be approved by both the EU Council of member states and the European Parliament. An EU diplomat said last week that a favourable outcome was expected.
More More 'Costly' EU cross-border worker reform moves forward a step
This content was published on Apr 29, 2026 The proposal will entail additional costs for Switzerland.
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