Travellers in Switzerland

A group of travelers from France camped illegally in a protected area in Switzerland, highlighting the ongoing issue of finding suitable stopping places for travelers in the region.

Currently, there are only two designated temporary stopping places in the Rheintal area, both with strict limitations on duration and prior approval required.

Despite a legal obligation established in 2003 for adequate stopping places, progress has been slow, with only 40% of the needed sites realized, and ongoing resistance from local communities complicating new developments.

Switzerland lacks nearly 80 designated stopping and transit sites for Jenische and Sinti communities, particularly in the western regions. Although ten new sites have been created since 2021, the demand for additional spaces remains high, with calls for more political will from local governments.