Swiss lift work restrictions for EU citizens, but not for Romanians, Bulgarians

Switzerland canceled all work restrictions imposed in 2012 and 2013 to citizens from 25 European Union member states, but kept restrictions for Romanians, Bulgarians and Croatians. The Swiss Government made the official announcement on Wednesday, April 30. The restrictions will expire at the end of May 2014. This gives full freedom for citizens of these 25 EU member states to find jobs in Switzerland. Romania and Bulgaria were not included in the work restrictions lift as the two countries joined the EU later, in 2007, and neither was Croatia, which joined in 2013. For Croatia however, the Swiss created an exception, under a separate quota system, and will let Croat workers in starting July this year. The Swiss Government is to announce in May the deadline for lifting restrictions for Romania and Bulgaria too. Switzerland is not part of the European Union, but signed treaties with the EU in order to ensure access to European markets. This means the country also had to allow free movement for EU citizens. Earlier this year, the Swiss decided in a referendum to reintroduce quotas on immigrants from the European Union, but the country has three years to decide how to enforce the results of this referendum. editor@romania-insider.com