Swiss Passport

In the 1950s, Switzerland needed foreign workers. Where did most of them come from?

In den 1950er-Jahren brauchte die Schweiz ausländische Arbeitskräfte. Woher kamen die meisten?

Correct answer: C

  1. A PortugalPortugal
  2. B FranceFrankreich
  3. C ItalyItalien
  4. D GreeceGriechenland

Why

In 1948, Switzerland concluded an agreement with Italy on workers. That is why mainly Italians came in the 1950s.

Common mistakes

A: Portugal
People from Portugal came mainly later, in the 1980s and 1990s.
B: France
Fewer people came from France; Italy was by far the most important country of origin.

Topic

Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative

After the Second World War, the economy grew strongly. Switzerland needed many workers. In 1948 it concluded an agreement with Italy. After that, mainly Italians came. They worked in construction, in factories and in hotels. Many only had a permit as a seasonal worker (Saisonnier): they were allowed to stay for a few months and could not bring their family. Later, people also came from Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Turkey.

Timeline of Swiss history
  1. 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
  2. 1291The Rütli and William Tell
  3. 1515Marignano
  4. 1523The Reformation
  5. 1798The French and Napoleon
  6. 1815Neutrality
  7. 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
  8. 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
  9. 1918National general strike
  10. 1939–1945Second World War
  11. 1948Prosperity and AHV
  12. 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
  13. 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
  14. 1979The youngest canton: Jura

History of Switzerland
The 20th century

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 218 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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