Switzerland Plans Travel Ban for Asylum Seekers Excluding Ukrainians

Switzerland is set to tighten travel restrictions for asylum seekers, generally banning them from traveling abroad, including within the Schengen area, with exceptions only for special cases such as family emergencies or preparation for permanent departure. However, Ukrainians with temporary S protection status are exempted and allowed to visit Ukraine for brief periods due to the ongoing war and family separations. This move aligns with Switzerland's broader policy changes and contrasts with Germany's more lenient approach, where some refugees have been allowed travel back to their home countries without losing protection. In Germany, the influx of young Ukrainian men following the lifting of travel bans has intensified political debates, particularly in Bavaria, where officials call for stricter migration controls and urge the EU to pressure Ukraine to tighten exit rules for conscription-age men. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder advocates for limiting the entry of young Ukrainian men into the EU and tightening border controls, emphasizing the need for mutual solidarity where Ukraine receives aid but also expects men to defend their country. These developments reflect growing tensions within Europe about balancing humanitarian support for Ukrainians with concerns over migration management and social welfare system pressures.