The Federal Council approved the message on the EU treaty package on Friday – now it is Parliament’s turn.Image: iStockphoto
Mar 13, 2026, 9:58 p.mMar 13, 2026, 9:58 p.m
Parliament takes the lead on the EU dossier. On Friday, the Federal Council approved the message on the EU treaty package and passed it on to the Federal Council. The most important questions and answers:
What has the Federal Council decided?
The Federal Council approved the package for “stabilizing and further developing relations between Switzerland and the EU (Bilateral III)” and handed the dossier over to Parliament for ratification.
The adoption of the message to Parliament on the treaties is an important step towards stabilizing and further developing relations with Brussels, said Federal President Guy Parmelin. “We negotiated well,” said Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. “The result is good for our country.” The further development of the bilateral path is a pragmatic step and guarantees equal playing field and the same rules for all market participants.
Has the Federal Council changed its message?
Yes. The Federal Council has slightly changed the proposal that it had sent out for consultation. Compared to the first proposal, the Federal Council adapted three additional laws. These concern, among other things, the participation rights of the cantons, parliament and the public in the context of so-called “decision shaping”, as the Federal Council announced.
What will Parliament decide on?
On the one hand, Parliament will have to accept or reject the treaties. These were signed between Bern and Brussels and cannot be changed by Parliament. On the other hand, the federal councils will have to discuss 36 changes to the law and three new laws. According to the Federal Council, the changes are 15 of “substantial” and 21 of “minor” extent. The laws serve to implement the package domestically and regulate the accompanying measures.
What is the mood before the parliamentary debate?
The positions are known, the fronts have largely been clarified. The SVP, the Autonomous Suisse Committee and the Mass-voll movement, among others, cannot do anything with the contract package. On the other hand, the other major parties SP, Center, FDP, Greens and GLP, together with the social partners and the majority of the cantons, are fighting for a yes to Bilateral III.
However, several reactions show that an overall assessment of the entire package will only be made at the end of the parliamentary debate. What will likely be crucial is the extent to which the domestic policy measures decided by the Federal Council are changed. The Left warns against weakening the wage protection measures, otherwise the bilateral path risks failing. Supporters of the contract package also criticize the electricity agreement in particular, which is due to be voted on at the same time but in a separate resolution.
What’s next?
From now on the ball is in Parliament’s court. Its committees must now decide how and when the package will be dealt with. Voting Sunday on June 14th is explosive. Then the people and states vote on the SVP’s “No 10 Million Switzerland” initiative. If the referendum were accepted, the bilateral path with the EU would probably be at risk – and the new contract package would therefore also be in jeopardy.
It remains unclear by when Parliament will have completed the package. The aim is to conclude the dossier in parliament before the end of the legislative period in autumn 2027, it has been said on various occasions. A referendum could then only take place after the national elections in 2028.
What is the Federal Council doing now?
“The Federal Council’s leadership comes to an end today – from now on it is in parliament,” said Foreign Minister Cassis. He feels “a feeling of liberation.” The Federal Council would never dare to dictate the pace of parliament. The Federal Council expressed wishes, but no binding requirements.
“Parliament is free to change any laws it wants,” said Cassis. In the end we have to see what emerges from the debate. “I’m very excited at the moment to follow the debate, and then I’ll see…” Cassis finally said in response to a question from the Keystone-SDA news agency as to whether he would still be a Federal Councilor in 2028.
What have Brussels and Bern agreed?
On the one hand, the package provides for the updating of existing agreements. These are those in the areas of air and land transport, food trade, mutual recognition of conformity assessments (MRA) and the free movement of people. The contract texts also regulate regular cohesion payments from Switzerland to selected EU member states. On the other hand, the package provides for new agreements in the areas of electricity, health and food safety. In addition, a high-level dialogue is to be established between Switzerland and the EU. Switzerland’s participation in EU programs was also regulated. The new texts also provide for increased parliamentary cooperation.
Do the agreements contain institutional elements?
Yes. The institutional elements will now be regulated individually in the respective internal market agreements. This is the crucial difference compared to the institutional framework agreement that Bern and Brussels were aiming for by 2021. At that time, the institutional elements “framed” the agreements. The institutional elements regulate the dynamic adoption of law and the dispute resolution mechanism.
What is dynamic takeover?
The enhanced partnership regulates the so-called dynamic transfer of rights in the modernized agreements in the areas of air transport, MRA, land transport and the free movement of people, as well as in the three new agreements. This is intended to ensure that the agreements remain valid even if the law changes. “Decision shaping” therefore applies to these agreements.
What is decision shaping?
Switzerland should be able to participate in the EU legislative process within the framework of this instrument. She is given a say, but cannot have a say. Bern is already familiar with this instrument in the Schengen/Dublin agreements.
What happens in an argument?
In the event of a dispute between the EU and Switzerland, a solution would be sought in the mixed committee of the agreement concerned. Only if no agreement is reached there would the case be submitted to an arbitration tribunal made up of equal representation. If the dispute concerns EU law, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) must be referred to interpret the law. However, the dispute itself is always decided by the arbitration court, not by the ECJ.
How much do the agreements cost Switzerland?
Different cost centers arise for Switzerland. The contribution agreement provides for regular cohesion payments. In the years 2030 to 2036, Switzerland will have to use 350 million francs annually for this purpose. The money does not go to the EU budget, but directly to the partner states. Switzerland must also contribute to its participation in EU programs and various platforms. Overall, access to the EU internal market costs around one billion francs a year.
What happens with wage protection?
Switzerland plans to introduce accompanying measures such as the registration process, wage and work controls and sanctions for violations in order to ensure wage protection during postings. In addition, there are national accompanying measures, such as the digitalization of the reporting process, additional controls in the construction sector and securing social partnership structures. The expense regulations were also adjusted to prevent wage dumping due to insufficient reimbursement of expenses. A deposit requirement can be imposed in the event of repeated violations by foreign companies to protect wage levels.
How does the immigration protection clause work?
In order to restrict immigration from the EU, Switzerland should now be able to take independent measures if it detects serious economic or social problems in its territory. The Federal Council must consider activating the protective clause if one of four threshold values is exceeded. These are net immigration from the EU, the number of new cross-border commuters, the increase in unemployment or the social assistance rate. If one of these values is exceeded nationwide, the Federal Council must act.
When do the agreements apply?
The new agreements can only come into force if they are successfully ratified in both Switzerland and the EU. With one exception, the negotiated contract package is not yet valid.
What is the exception?
The exception concerns the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programs. It is currently being applied provisionally and has enabled researchers from Switzerland to participate in the European research program Horizon Europe since January 1, 2025. Since this year, Switzerland has been able to work again on the Iter nuclear fusion reactor. As part of this agreement, Switzerland will also be associated with the Erasmus plus education and mobility program in 2027.
How does the EU ratify the treaties?
In Brussels, the two legislators must approve the contract package. It is the Council of the EU, in which the governments of the 27 member states are represented, and the European Parliament. The council approved the contract package at the end of February. Parliament began ratification work last month. The negotiated agreements with Switzerland are considered little controversial in Brussels. (sda)