Swiss set to reintroduce immigration quota with EU

Swiss voters have narrowly backed proposals to reintroduce immigration quotas with the EU, Swiss television reported — a result that calls into question bilateral accords with the EU and could irk multinational companies.

While neutral Switzerland is not a member of the EU, its immigration policy is based on free movement of people to and from the EU, as well as allowing in a restricted number of non-EU citizens.

The vote, which comes 12 years after an agreement with the EU on free movement of people, could hurt an economy dependent on foreign professionals by increasing red tape and jeopardising bilateral accords.