Newly-released data from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) shows that foreign residents — predominantly those from third countries — benefit the most from social aid.
The figures, published on October 29th, are from 2022, but they are still relevant today.
This is what they show
Of the 669,100 people from third countries living in Switzerland, 6.7 percent (that is, 44,900 individuals) received social assistance.
This percentage is almost three times higher than that for people from the EU and EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) — 2.3 percent (about 34,000) — and for the Swiss (1.9 percent / 123,000).
(The number for the Swiss population is highest of all, but that's because there are significantly more Swiss citizens than foreigners living in Switzerland — therefore, expressing the number in percentages gives a better overview of the situation.)
Given that, according to State Secretariat of Migration, 70 percent of the 2.3 million foreign nationals who live in Switzerland come from the EU/EFTA and only 30 percent from third nations, the number of welfare recipients is disproportionately high in the latter group.
Most of the third-country nationals on social assistance came from European countries that are not part of the EU or EFTA (42.8 percent), followed by those from Africa (26.2 percent), Asia (19.9 percent), and America (10.8 percent).
Overall, most public money (28.1 percent) went to households with children, followed by single parents (27.3 percent), and people living alone (25.8 percent).
On the other hand, foreign nationals who were employed full time represent the smallest recipient group: only 0.2 percent.
Overall, women are more likely to receive social assistance (5.7 percent) than men (4.5 percent).
READ ALSO: How many people in wealthy Switzerland are actually at risk of poverty?
‘A last resort’
Social assistance is, according to the government, “a last-resort benefit to prevent people from falling into poverty,” defined in Switzerland as having a total income less than 2,284 francs per month for an individual and 4,010 francs per month for a family.
Typically, these payments — about 1,000 francs per person — cover basic needs like food, clothing and personal care.
Additionally, social assistance also contributes about 1,000 francs toward rent; subsidies for health insurance premiums are also available, with amounts varying from one canton to another.
Municipal authorities will examine the applicant’s financial situation before deciding whether they are eligible for help — and how much.
But while foreigners can apply for this help, they should be aware that doing so will exclude them from getting Swiss citizenship (unless they repay the total amount before applying).
That's because one of the conditions for being naturalised is that the candidate is financially self-sufficient and doesn't rely on public money for support.
Foreign welfare recipients are also at risk of having their work permits downgraded, or even revoked altogether.
READ ALSO: How applying for social benefits could see your Swiss work permit cancelled
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