Ukraine: Switzerland adopts further EU sanctions against Belarus
Berne, 18.09.2026 — On 18 September, the Federal Council decided to impose further sanctions on Belarus, aligning itself with the measures the European Union (EU) adopted against Belarus on 23 April. The changes will come into effect on 19 September.
In view of the ongoing support that Belarus is providing to Russia in its war against Ukraine, the Federal Council decided on 18 September to impose further sanctions against Belarus. On 22 May, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) had imposed sanctions within its area of competence on two entities on behalf of Switzerland. With effect from 19 September, the Federal Council is adopting the remaining measures imposed by the EU on 23 April, thereby aligning the sanctions regime against Belarus more closely with that applied to Russia.
In the trade sector, the new measures extend the export ban already in place on goods that might contribute to Belarus’s military and technological enhancement and goods intended to enhance its industrial capacities. In addition, the Federal Council has decided to expand the list of goods and technologies subject to the transit ban via Belarus. Further restrictions are also being introduced on the import of economically significant goods that generate substantial export revenues for Belarus.
In the financial sector, a ban on transactions involving certain cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies – including the Belarusian digital rouble – now applies, in line with the sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, the Federal Council has banned transactions with cryptoasset service providers and decentralised platforms established in Belarus.
The Federal Council has also decided to extend the ban on the provision of services: from now on, the provision of managed security services to the Republic of Belarus, its public bodies and corporations is prohibited, as are services directly related to tourism activities in Belarus.
To protect Swiss companies, the Federal Council has also introduced further measures relating to the satisfaction of certain claims and their enforcement through the courts in third countries.
Enquiries from businesses:
sanctions@seco.admin.ch
058 464 08 12
Links
Measures against Belarus (admin.ch) (de/fr/it)
AS 2026 480 - Verordnung über Massnahmen gegenüber Belarus | Fedlex
RO 2026 480 - Ordonnance instituant des mesures à l’encontre du Bélarus | Fedlex
RU 2026 480 - Ordinanza che istituisce provvedimenti nei confronti della Bielorussia | Fedlex