Pensioners entitled to Swiss pensions and living in Belarus and Russia have encountered problems due to EU sanctions.
The Swiss Compensation Office (ZAS) is responsible for pension payments. The agency explained that Swiss legislation does not prohibit pension transfers to other countries, but problems arise because of the “very broad interpretation of international sanctions measures by financial intermediaries.”
“Swiss banks seek, whenever possible, to ensure the execution of certain types of indispensable payments, such as AHV pensions, but in doing so they depend on decisions by partner banks. These partner banks comply with the foreign legal regulations applicable to them. They independently make decisions regarding risk management in payment transactions and the implementation of sanctions regimes,” ZAS explained.
At present, around 170 people entitled to Swiss pensions live in Belarus and Russia. Problems have affected about 60 pensioners who hold bank accounts only in Belarus or Russia.
ZAS says it is holding talks with intermediary banks to resolve the problems. The agency recommends that pensioners maintain an account in Switzerland or another country not subject to sanctions.
Swiss publication Infosperber reports the story of 76-year-old Swiss citizen Hans Rudolf Knecht, who moved to Belarus 10 years ago with his Belarusian wife. Until February 2026, both received transfers without problems. Knecht is now forced to travel to Switzerland to withdraw money from his account.
Another woman, a 54-year-old Belarusian citizen, moved to Belarus with her husband in 2022. After his death, she lived on a widow’s pension, but can no longer receive the payments.
