Switzerland intends to complicate financial transactions for refugees

In Switzerland, the Swiss authorities intend to introduce special payment cards to which financial aid to refugees will be transferred. Swissinfo writes about this.

The money from them the recipients of aid will be able to spend only on certain goods and services, but will not be able to transfer them to their relatives and friends abroad. In this way, the country intends to reduce the attractiveness of the land for relocation.

As soon as they stop sending money home, asylum seekers will start to lose interest in Switzerland," said Andreas Glarner of the Swiss People's Party.

He added that the funds of those who live at the expense of the state should be controlled, and this is easier if the money is spent on the territory of the country and for certain needs.

However, the initiative has already attracted criticism. A number of MPs believe that it will have no effect, as those who live on social assistance receive too little and they simply have nothing to send elsewhere. In addition, they pointed out that there is nothing to prevent a person who has asked for cash from buying some goods, selling them and spending the proceeds as he or she wishes.

In the Ministry of justice of the country said that the proposal will be considered, but to make decisions on the transition to special payment cards, most likely, will be cantons.

We will remind, Ukrainians who fled the war and settled in Switzerland, extended special protection status S until 4 March 2026. It means that Ukrainians can claim housing, financial and medical assistance. More than 66,000 such Ukrainians are registered in the country.