Switzerland

Previous reports: 2024 | 2023/24

As reported by EBCO member organisation CIVIVA Switzerland:

Developments

Conscription provisions and procedures

In June 2025, both chambers of parliament accepted a motion to introduce a security duty. This means that the civil service and civil protection will merge into a security duty, effectively abolishing the civil service. The federal council now has two years to present a legislative proposal to parliament for implementation.

Conscientious objection provisions and procedures

In June 2025, a proposal was submitted to the federal council to reintroduce the examination of conscience. Until 2009, if you had a conscientious objection, you were required to appear before a committee and undergo an examination of your conscience. The parliament has now tasked the federal council with drafting a report on how to reinstate this committee and examination.

Conscientious objection during and after military service

In 2025, a package of six measures was voted on and passed by both parliamentary chambers. A referendum against this proposal was initiated, and enough signatures were collected by January 2026. On June 14, 2026, the Swiss population will vote on the following six measures.

1. a minimum number of 150 days of alternative service (irrespective of the number of days already served in the military prior to application for CO status)

2. the application of the 1.5 ratio of the duration of alternative service to that of military service to officers and NCOs, whose periods of military service are longer than those of the rank and file.

3. no placements that require a degree in human, dental or veterinary medicine

4. no admission of members of the armed forces with 0 remaining days of military service

5. a tightening of the rules regarding the timing of alternative civilian service, requiring that a placement by taken up within the year of admission.

6. likewise, in the case where the application was submitted during military basic training period (recruit school), an obligation to complete the long period of service within the calendar year following the legally binding admission.

1. Military expenditure figures are estimates published by SIPRI (The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) in April 2026.↩︎