In August 2025, Switzerland recorded 2,184 asylum applications, a 12% decrease compared to July. Between January and August, 16,306 applications were filed, 12.3% fewer than during the same period in 2024. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) expects around 25,000 asylum requests for 2025, a lower figure than last year’s total of 27,740.
The main countries of origin in August were Afghanistan (490 applications), Eritrea (326), Turkey (214), Algeria (182), and Somalia (163). Of the total applications, 1,764 were primary and 420 secondary (due to births, family reunifications, or repeat requests).
The SEM processed 2,600 cases in August, granting asylum in 505 cases (19.4%). 1,018 individuals without the right to remain left Switzerland, including 714 voluntary departures and 304 enforced returns under police escort. There were 5,335 cases receiving return assistance by the end of August.
For the first time since October 2022, the number of pending asylum cases fell below 10,000, standing at 9,928 at the end of August, down from 11,921 at the start of the year. The SEM aims to reduce this number to 5,800 first-instance pending cases by the end of 2026.
Forecasts for asylum applications related to Ukraine remain unchanged, with 12,000 (+/–3,000) expected for 2025, assuming no major change in the conflict’s intensity.