Published on 5 December 2025

Popular votes and chronology

Switzerland's bilateral path with the EU is characterised by significant political decisions and votes. The chronology provides an overview of the most important stages and milestones in bilateral relations, from the early agreements to current developments and challenges in cooperation with the EU.

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)

  In a popular vote held on 15 Mai 2022 71.48% of the Swiss voted in favour of the adoption of the EU Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex).

  Voter participation amounted to 39.98%.

  • Results of the popular vote (in German)
  • Documentation on the website of the Federal Council
  • Dossier FDF (in German)

• 27.09.2020: Popular initiative ‘For moderate immigration (Limitation Initiative)’

  In a popular vote held on 27 September 2020, 61.71% of the Swiss people and the majority of the cantons have rejected the popular initiative ‘For moderate immigration (Limitation Initiative)’.

  Voter participation amounted to 59.47%.

  • Results popular vote 27.09.2020 (German)
  • Press conference 27.09.2020 (German, Italian, French)
  • Statistical analysis 27.09.2020

  Additional informations

  • Explanations of the Federal Council
  • Dispatch (German)
  • File of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police (German)

• 19.05.2019: EU firearms directive

  In a popular vote held on 19 May 2019, 63.7% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the acceptance of the implementation of the EU firearms directive into the Swiss legal system.

  Voter participation amounted to 43.9%.

  • Results popular vote 19.05.2019 (in german)
  • Press conference 19.05.2019 (in german)

• 30.11.2014: Popular initiative «Ecopop»

  In a popular vote held on 30 November 2014, 74.1% of the Swiss people and all the cantons have rejected the popular initiative ‘Stop overpopulation – safeguard our natural environment’ (Ecopop initiative).

  Voter participation amounted to 49.98%.

  • Results Popular vote 09.02.2014 (in german)
  • Press conference 30.11.2014 (in german)
  • Statistical analysis (in german)

  Additional informations

  • Explanations of the Federal Council (in german)
  • Federal Council Dispatc (de)

• 09.02.2014: Popular initiative aimed at ‘Stopping mass immigration’

  In a popular vote held on 9 Februar 2014, 50.3% of the Swiss people have adopted the popular initiative aimed at stopping mass immigration.

  Voter participation amounted to 56.57%.

  • Results Popular vote 09.02.2014 (in german)
  • Explanations of Federal Council, 09.02.2014 (in german)
  • Statistical analysis

• 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)

  In a popular vote held on 17 May 2009, 50.1% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the 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

  In a popular vote held on 8 February 2009, 59.6% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the continuation of the agreement on the free movement of persons and its extension to Bulgaria and Romania.

  • Position of Federal Council (in german)

• 26.11.2006: Federal Act on Cooperation with Eastern Europe

  In a popular vote held on 26 November 2006, 53.4% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the acceptance of the 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

  In a popular vote held on 25 September 2005, 56% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the 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

  In a popular vote held on 5 June 2005, 54.6% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the acceptance of the Schengen/Dublin association agreement.

• 04.03.2001: Popular initiative ‘Yes to Europe!’

  In a popular vote held on 4 March 2001, 76.8% of the Swiss people have rejected the popular initiative ‘Yes to Europe!’.

• 21.05.2000: Bilateral Agreements I between Switzerland and the European Union

  In a popular vote held on 21 May 2000, 67.2% of the Swiss people voted in favour of the Bilateral Agreements I between Switzerland and the European Union.

• 08.06.1997: Popular initiative ‘EU membership negotiations before the people!’

  In a popular vote held on 8 june 1997, 74.1% of the Swiss people have rejected the popular initiative ‘EU membership negotiations before the people!’.

• 06.12.1992: Accession of Switzerland to the European Economic Area

  In a popular vote held on 6 december 1992, 50.3% of the Swiss people have refused to join the European Economic Area (EEA).

• Voting behaviour of the cantons on European policy proposals

  (German)

  PDF264.59 kB10 March 2025

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.

• Chronology of relationships between Switzerland–EU

  PDF1.16 MB8 December 2025

Documents

• List of Agreements Switzerland-EU

  (German)

  PDF633.98 kB1 January 2024

• The bilateral agreements Switzerland-EU

  PDF812.03 kB1 January 2025