Switzerland in 2025: bilateral agreements marked by new treaties

A clear majority continues to support the bilateral agreements. However, after years of growing support for the bilateral agreements, 2025 sees the first decline in positive perceptions since 2020. While a majority continues to recognise the economic benefits, ambivalence is growing, especially among the political centre and those who are not affiliated with any party. At the same time, support for the renegotiated agreements remains stable, but there is also scepticism about the solidarity contribution, the so-called cohesion fund, and the adoption of the EU Citizens’ Directive. EEA membership remains a viable option for the majority, while EU membership or going it alone have no chance of success.

Following the successful conclusion of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union in December 2024, the positive attitude towards the bilateral agreements, which had been steadily increasing since 2020, declined slightly for the first time in spring 2025. Although a clear majority continues to see advantages in the agreements, ambivalence is growing. The perception of advantages is declining noticeably, particularly among supporters of the GLP, the centre and the FDP, while it is reaching new highs among supporters of the SP and the Greens. The SVP camp remains more critical, with approval continuing to fall, and among the non-party affiliated, the perception of advantages is losing its majority for the first time since 2020.

In terms of content, the economic benefits of the bilateral agreements continue to be at the centre of positive perceptions, particularly in the form of prosperity and access to export markets. Despite the decline in the perception of benefits, there is no sign of increased polarisation, but rather an increasingly differentiated view of the existing agreements. This development is likely to be due, among other things, to the intense debate on the new negotiating mandate, which is also putting slight pressure on perceptions of existing bilateral relations.

There is still clear support for continuing negotiations with the EU on further developing bilateral agreements, even though approval has fallen slightly. The renegotiated agreements – particularly in the areas of electricity, health and food trade – enjoy stable majorities. The picture is more mixed when it comes to adjustments to existing agreements: EU compromises on deportation and immigration are broadly supported, while institutional issues such as the adoption of EU law and the role of the European Court of Justice remain controversial but capable of winning majority support. Wage protection is also viewed differently. Voters are most sceptical about the solidarity contribution, the so-called cohesion fund, and the adoption of the EU Citizens’ Rights Directive.

The overall agreement with all negotiated elements receives a clear majority, albeit with slightly lower approval than last year. Left-wing and green voters are particularly supportive, while SVP supporters and those without party affiliations tend to be more sceptical. Alternative scenarios for European integration are viewed with greater caution. EEA membership remains capable of winning a majority, while support for continuing the bilateral agreements – both in their existing form without adaptability to new market developments/new agreements and with further development through the adoption of EU law – has fallen below 50 per cent. EU membership or going it alone remain unlikely.

The report ‘Switzerland in 2025’ commissioned by Interpharma is based on a representative survey of 2,011 eligible voters in Switzerland. The data was collected between 8 and 31 January 2025 using a mixed-mode approach: 802 interviews were conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), while a further 1,209 interviews were carried out as part of the gfs online panel.

The sample was weighted according to language region, type of settlement, education and age/gender. Content was weighted according to party affiliations and a recall question about a previous vote. In addition, a basic weighting was applied based on technical accessibility, i.e. the number of telephone connections. The statistical margin of error is ±2.2 percentage points with a 95 per cent probability.