History
Serbian immigration to Switzerland forms part of the broader story of migration from the former Yugoslavia, driven by economic opportunities, political instability, and conflict. While early arrivals were limited and often tied to education or diplomacy, the community grew significantly during the second half of the 20th century.
The first notable Serbian presence in Switzerland dates to the late-19th century, primarily for educational purposes. Zurich emerged as a hub for young Serbs studying at the University of Zurich, drawn by its reputation as a center for science and humanities. From 1863 to 1914, about 160 Serbian students enrolled there, including women such as physicist Mileva Marić, who studied in Zurich and later became Albert Einstein's wife; spending much of her life in Switzerland.
The largest wave began in the 1960s, fueled by Switzerland's economic boom and labor shortages. A 1965 bilateral agreement between Bern and Belgrade enabled the recruitment of Yugoslav guest workers (Gastarbeiter), many from rural Serbian areas facing unemployment under Yugoslavia's socialist economy. These migrants, often engineers, doctors, dentists, and agricultural laborers, arrived via collective contracts. [5]
By the 1970s, immigration surged amid Switzerland's high demand for foreign labor, tripling the Yugoslav population to around 172,000 by 1990 (including Serbs, who formed a significant portion). This era marked the rise of the Gastarbeiter phenomenon, with many intending temporary stays but eventually settling due to family reunification policies. [6]
The breakup of Yugoslavia triggered the most dramatic wave, with Switzerland granting asylum to tens of thousands fleeing ethnic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Family reunions sustained growth into the 2000s, despite Switzerland's 1991 "Three Circles" model restricting non-EU immigration (placing Yugoslavia in the restrictive third circle).
The 2011 creation of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Austria and Switzerland strengthened cultural ties, supporting churches and community events. Today, migration continues via family ties, and skilled work, though economic factors like brain drain from Serbia persist.
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