Canton of Bern decides on new language requirements for social assistance

The Grand Council in Bern has passed a measure that will require people who claim social assistance in the canton of Bern to learn or speak German or French. The change is part of a new social assistance law, which is being finalised in the canton.

New language requirements for people who receive social assistance

The Grand Council in the canton of Bern has recently voted to require future social assistance recipients to speak or learn one of the canton’s two official languages, French or German. The vote passed by 94 to 49, with four abstentions.

“Language acquisition is one of the most important things for someone who wants to integrate," said Cantonal Councillor Pierre Alain Schnegg (SVP), and the language requirement could be as low as an A1 level, reports Blick.

The vote is part of a new social assistance law being debated in the canton, aiming to modernise an existing one from 2001, reports Der Bund. Other revisions have also been made, such as changes to asset renunciation and repayments of social assistance.

Social assistance in Switzerland differs from unemployment insurance. It is seen as a last resort, aimed at people who cannot support themselves, and operates at a cantonal level. 

Rates of foreigners claiming social assistance double the national average

Rates of social assistance have been declining recently, reaching a new record low in 2023. 249.700 people living in Switzerland received financial social assistance at least once in 2023, amounting to 2,8 percent of the population. However, recent data showed that there is ongoing inequality between Swiss citizens and residence permit holders when it comes to claiming social assistance. 

In 2023, the number of foreign citizens claiming social assistance was 5,7 percent - double the national average. The Federal Statistical Office identifies people “without post-compulsory education, children, foreign nationals, single-parent families, and persons living alone” at higher risk of claiming social assistance. 

Further debate is expected on the new social assistance law.