¶ Equal Treatment in Tuition Fees

Source: Dispatch on the Approval of Bilateral III, Chapter 2.3 (pp. 300, 334, 340)
PDF Link | Federal Gazette 2025-0749

¶ Summary

Switzerland commits to treating students from EU member states equally with Swiss students regarding tuition fees. Equal treatment applies to predominantly publicly funded higher education institutions. Admission and maintenance grants (scholarships) remain excluded. The Confederation covers the revenue shortfall during a transitional phase.

¶ Principle of Non-Discrimination

The principle of non-discrimination in tuition fees means:

EU students pay the same rate as Swiss students
Applies to predominantly publicly funded universities and universities of applied sciences
Currently, EU students pay higher fees at many Swiss higher education institutions

¶ What Remains Excluded

Area	Status
Tuition fees	Equal treatment (new)
Admission	Excluded -- current system maintained
Scholarships / Maintenance grants	Excluded -- no obligation
Study places	No minimum quotas, no place obligation

¶ Current Admission System

The existing admission system remains fully preserved:

Exam-free access with a Swiss Matura
For foreign diplomas, the established equivalence checks apply
Higher education institutions retain their autonomy in admission decisions
Capacity restrictions (numerus clausus) remain possible

The current share of EU students at Swiss higher education institutions (as of 2023):

Type of Institution	EU Student Share
Universities	18%
Universities of applied sciences	10%

¶ Target

The EU student share should overall not decrease (Overall Level)
There is no obligation for minimum quotas
There is no obligation to create additional study places
Development is observed within the regular higher education monitoring

¶ Financial Implications

¶ Estimated Revenue Shortfall

Type of Institution	Annual Revenue Shortfall
Universities	approx. CHF 17.3 million
Universities of applied sciences	approx. CHF 4.5 million
Total	approx. CHF 21.8 million/year

¶ Compensatory Funding by the Confederation

The Confederation covers the shortfall according to the following model:

Phase	Confederation's Contribution
Years 1--4 after entry into force	100% of losses
Of which based on actual losses	80% (effective difference)
Of which based on EU student share	20% (proportionally)
From year 5	Regular higher education funding

¶ Legislative Amendments

¶ ETH Act

The Federal Act on the Federal Institutes of Technology must be amended:

Anchoring of the equal treatment obligation for tuition fees
Adjustment of fee regulations at ETH Zurich and EPFL
Transitional provisions for ongoing programmes

¶ HEdA (Higher Education Act)

The HEdA is also amended:

Equal treatment obligation for cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences
Coordination with cantons as higher education providers
Regulation of compensatory funding

¶ Impact on Higher Education Institutions

¶ Positive Aspects

Enhanced international attractiveness of Swiss higher education institutions
Full participation in EU education programmes (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe)
Promotion of academic exchange and research cooperation

¶ Challenges

Short-term revenue shortfall from tuition fees
Possible increase in EU student numbers
Need for capacity planning at individual institutions

¶ Key Points

Topic	Key Message
Principle	Treat EU students equally with CH students for fees
Scope	Predominantly publicly funded higher education institutions
Exceptions	Admission and scholarships remain excluded
Admission system	Remains fully preserved (Swiss Matura, autonomy)
EU share	18% universities, 10% UAS -- should not decrease
Revenue shortfall	Approx. CHF 21.8 million/year (17.3 uni + 4.5 UAS)
Compensatory funding	Confederation covers 100% for 4 years
Legislative changes	ETH Act and HEdA must be amended

¶ References

Dispatch Bilateral III, FG 2025 749, Chapter 2.3 (pp. 300, 334, 340)
ETH Act (SR 414.110)
Higher Education Act (HEdA, SR 414.20)
Federal Statistical Office: Student statistics 2023