Switzerland exhibits a wide diversity of soil types that are exposed to pressures of varying intensity and scale. Localized pressures, such as soil compaction, sealing, and heavy metal accumulation, threaten both short- and long-term soil fertility and agricultural productivity. At the same time, large-scale trends, including the intensive use of fertilizers and the continued cultivation of organic soils, can affect ecosystem functioning across entire regions. Many of these pressures are concentrated on the Swiss Plateau, which covers only about one-third of the country's territory but contains both the highest population density and the most productive soils. Current research identifies several major soil challenges in Switzerland and evaluates the extent to which existing legal frameworks address them. Soil erosion, contamination, nutrient availability, and nutrient-use efficiency are among the best-documented issues in the scientific literature and are relatively well regulated through policy measures. In contrast, other pressing challenges, such as soil organic carbon loss, biodiversity decline, and soil compaction, are addressed by only limited policy instruments. Recent findings from the five-year EJP SOIL project have contributed valuable insights into many of these challenges through research initiatives conducted at different spatial scales. The project’s results are particularly relevant for Switzerland and have important implications for a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, farmers, land managers, and agricultural advisors. By translating scientific findings into practical applications, the project not only increases the value of research outputs for stakeholders but also demonstrates how large-scale research programs can directly support national efforts toward sustainable soil management.