Popular votes and chronology

Votes

When the Swiss voted against joining the European Economic Area (EEA) in the referendum of 1992 Switzerland decided to develop further relations with the European Union on a bilateral basis. Since then there have been a number of other popular votes on questions related to European policy.

15.05.2022: Adoption of the EU Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex).
27.09.2020: Popular initiative «For moderate immigration (Limitation Initiative)»
19.05.2019: EU firearms directive
30.11.2014: Popular initiative «Ecopop»
09.02.2014: Popular initiative aimed at «Stopping mass immigration»
17.05.2009: Acceptance of the Federal Act of 13 June 2008 about the introduction of electronically stored biometric data in the Swiss passport and in the travel documents for foreign individuals (development of the Schengen acquis)
08.02.2009: Continuation of the agreement on the free movement of persons and its extension to Bulgaria and Romania
26.11.2006: Federal Act on Cooperation with Eastern Europe
25.09.2005: Extension of the agreement on the free movement of persons and the revision of the accompanying measures
05.06.2005: Acceptance of the Schengen/Dublin association agreement
04.03.2001: Popular initiative «Yes to Europe!»
21.05.2000: Bilateral Agreements I between Switzerland and the European Union
08.06.1997: Popular initiative «EU membership negotiations before the people!»
06.12.1992: Accession of Switzerland to the European Economic Area

Voting behaviour of the cantons on European policy proposals (PDF, 1 Page, 264.6 kB)

Chronology

Relations between Switzerland and the rest of Europe have been developed steadily. The highlights of this development process are listed in chronological order in the following document:

Data	Switzerland	EU
10.04.2025	At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package Press release, 10.04.2025
21.03.2025	At its meeting on March 21, 2025, the Federal Council approved a package of measures to safeguard wage protection. Fourteen measures are to be included in the consultation draft for the overall package with the EU. The social partners and the cantons have agreed on 13 of these measures. The Federal Council is proposing a further measure as part of the overall package. Press release, 21.03.2025 (DE)

Data

Switzerland

10.04.2025

At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package

Press release, 10.04.2025

21.03.2025

At its meeting on March 21, 2025, the Federal Council approved a package of measures to safeguard wage protection. Fourteen measures are to be included in the consultation draft for the overall package with the EU. The social partners and the cantons have agreed on 13 of these measures. The Federal Council is proposing a further measure as part of the overall package.

Press release, 21.03.2025 (DE)