This has the potential to substantially tighten the Swiss labor market.  Companies (and jobs) are already leaving Switzerland due to the high cost of labor.  This will make it worse.  I hope the farmers on the other side of the potato ditch are happy.  

Just wondering! How the Swiss economy was working before 2000? i think before EU swiss were living in stone ages with miserable conditions . they didn't have any money and then suddnely people from other EU countries cames and they have changed they fortune of the switzerland. Wahoo so it means swiss will go back to old ages! poor Swiss. You are nothing without EU :(

The political, economic, and business picture was different back then.  It's not a valid comparison.

That said, Switzerland has been dirt poor for ~90% of its history.  It's not impossible for it to become dirt poor again.

The picture was actually completely different back then. All countries were less global and Switzerland was no different. The free circulation in Europe is also a relatively new thing for Europeans. And Brad, Switzerland was doing pretty well before 2000. But for sure, this vote has changed many things and there is no guarantee of what the future holds for Switzerland. 

Yes true misery . . . Back in the 80's there was virtually no crime in and around Geneva, apartment rents were afordable, Swiss universities in Zurich weren't full of German's seeking cheap (but high level) education, you could actually drive across Geneva at any time of the day, companies were mostly staffed by Swiss nationals at every level, . . . . 

Now let's look at the EU . . .  high unemployment (+20% in numerous EU countries) --> so unemployed workers are flocking to Switzerland, youth unemployment at +30% in numerous countries, --> so young EU'ers are heading to Switzerland in droves, crime riddled EU cities so hacked out that the EU criminals come to Switzerland cause there ain't much left to steal at home, empty government cash boxes so let's raid Swiss banks using stolen information, frontalier workers around Geneva up in arms because the French national health insurance is hugely expensive for very little benefits and the frontaliers are all wanting to stay in the Swiss private insurance system, . . .

So I let you be the judge as to who has the upper hand.  And BTW, what are you doing here in such a backward country ??

luckly my father is swiss :), We were always in favor of free circulation but things were different in old days! Geneve was a very beautiful city. city you can really proud of. EU is a scam! the current problem is most countries in EU are in seroius crisis and people want to move towards other countires who are still in good condition and god knows for how long! So when they come from their poor countries and see the social system they exploit it. They don't pay taxes. They don't follow the rules and laws and want to turn this country into same garbage what they have done with their country! If you are qualified, you bring your skills and your expertise to this countries. We have no problem.You are more than welcome!  But if you are coming here to steal and exploit the system. Stay back! 

So It means if i go to usa i need also a work permissin so what should i say? Same with australia, canada, japan, korea, russia, india and the list is long. So why don't people point the fingures towards them. Every body is now making fun of swiss people! 

> They don't pay taxes. They don't follow the rules and laws and want to turn this country

> into same garbage what they have done with their country! [...] But if you are coming

> here to steal and exploit the system [...]

I've seen quite a few of Swiss people that steal and exploit the system, trust me.

Foreigners are not entitled to benefits in Switzerland by just showing up at the door.