Switzerland received 27,740 asylum applications, an 8.2% decrease compared to 2023. Of these, 20,480 were from newly arrived applicants, while the remainder were secondary or multiple applications. Afghanistan remained the top country of origin with 8,627 applications, including roughly 3,300 from Afghan residents already in Switzerland due to changes in policy regarding Afghan women. Turkey followed with 4,107 applications, a significant decline.
Key developments in 2024:
- The number of asylum seekers from Turkey, Afghanistan, and Syria declined, reflecting broader European trends.
- Central Mediterranean migration to Italy fell by about 60%, though a small number continued onward to Switzerland.
- The Ukraine war indirectly increased migration pressure by worsening conditions in countries of origin.
- The SEM processed 34,585 asylum applications, granting asylum to 10,390 individuals (34.2% approval rate). Provisional admissions totaled 6,459, with 8,823 ending. The first-instance pending cases fell by 23.4% to 11,921.
- No resettlement admissions occurred due to capacity constraints while 8,526 people left Switzerland voluntarily or under controlled conditions, down from 13,001 in 2023.
- 2,247 people were formally returned to their countries of origin or third states.
- Transfers under Dublin and bilateral readmission agreements continued successfully, with Switzerland transferring nearly three times more people than it received from European partners.
- 16,616 applications for Protection S were filed in 2024 (down 27.8%), with 9,272 approved. By the end of 2024, 68,070 individuals held Protection S. The status will remain in place at least until March 4, 2026, unless conditions improve.
For 2025, the SEM projects 24,000 new asylum applications and 17,000 new Protection S applications. The actual numbers will depend on migration flows through Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, North Africa, and visa-exempt countries as well as the return policies of Switzerland’s neighbors.