On 2 April 2025, the Swiss Federal Council approved the draft EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA), marking a significant step towards Switzerland's potential reassociation with the Erasmus+ programme. The EUPA outlines Switzerland's participation in various EU initiatives, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Euratom, and Digital Europe. 

Under the terms of the EUPA, Switzerland could provisionally associate with Horizon Europe, Euratom, and Digital Europe retroactively from 1 January 2025, and with Erasmus+ starting in 2027. However, the agreement will only formally enter into force upon ratification as part of the broader Switzerland-EU package, expected by the end of 2028 at the latest. 

To facilitate this process, the Federal Council plans to submit the necessary financial proposals to Parliament within the framework of the Switzerland-EU package. The anticipated return on investment is projected to exceed the amounts invested, providing Swiss projects and participants with access to additional EU funding and placing them on equal footing with their European counterparts. 

Preparations for reassociation are set to continue through the end of 2026, including the accreditation of ACA member Movetia, Switzerland's national agency for exchange and mobility, and outreach to stakeholders in the education sector. During this period, the existing Swiss solution for promoting international mobility and cooperation in education will be maintained 

The potential reassociation with Erasmus+ is viewed as a catalyst for enhancing international collaboration in education, enabling the Swiss education system to fully leverage the networks and tools offered by the programme, which are benefits that a parallel Swiss solution cannot entirely replicate. 

Follow the developments in the Swiss reassociation here.