Executive Summary

Switzerland recorded another decline in asylum applications in 2025: 25,781 new applications represent a decrease of 7.1 percent compared to 2024. Afghanistan remains the main country of origin, while Eritrea increased significantly. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) was able to reduce first-instance backlogs by 20.4 percent and aims to return to normal workload by the end of 2026. The asylum approval rate fell to 27.1 percent, and the overall protection rate fell to 43.8 percent.

Persons

Topics

  • Asylum Statistics 2025
  • Migration Movements Europe
  • Dublin Procedures
  • Protection Status S Ukraine
  • Return Support

Clarus Lead

Switzerland registered a total of 25,781 asylum applications in 2025, marking the second consecutive decline. Of these, 20,300 came from newly arrived persons. For decision-makers: The State Secretariat for Migration was able to significantly reduce first-instance backlogs and plans to normalize the workload by 2026. Migration pressure across Europe declined slightly, although regional shifts (particularly from the Horn of Africa) create new challenges.

Detailed Summary

Countries of Origin and Regional Trends

Afghanistan remains the leading country of origin with 6,207 applications (-28.1%), followed by Eritrea with 3,415 applications (+63.2%). Together with Turkey (2,534 applications), Algeria, and Somalia, these five countries account for just under two-thirds of all applications. The regime change in Syria led to a massive decline in Syrian asylum applications across Europe (from 160,000 to 45,000), but had little impact on Switzerland. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in applications from the Horn of Africa by 3,067 to 6,378 cases, as Eritrean, Somali, and Ethiopian nationals are deliberately choosing Switzerland as their destination country.

Procedures and Decision Rates

In 2025, the SEM processed 31,223 applications at first instance (-9.7%), focusing on the longest and most complex cases. First-instance backlogs decreased by 2,434 to 9,487 cases (-20.4%). The asylum approval rate was 27.1 percent (2024: 34.2%), while the protection rate (asylum + provisional admission) fell to 43.8 percent (2024: 54.1%). In Dublin procedures, Switzerland transfers significantly more persons than it admits (2:1 ratio); in 2025, 2,112 persons were transferred while 1,060 were admitted.

Ukrainian Protection Seekers and Resettlement

Protection Status S for Ukrainians shows stabilization trends: 12,897 new applications (2024: 16,616), 8,331 approvals. The stock increased to 71,762 persons (+3,692). The Federal Council extended the status until March 2027. In the resettlement program, Switzerland admitted 49 refugees (South Sudanese and Sudanese from Egypt) after a 2.5-year suspension.

Key Messages

  • Asylum applications 2025: 25,781 (-7.1%), second consecutive decline
  • First-instance backlogs reduced by 20.4%; normalization targeted by 2026
  • Asylum approval rate fell to 27.1%, protection rate to 43.8%
  • Eritrea (+63.2%) and Horn of Africa show strongest increases
  • Dublin transfers: Switzerland transfers 2:1 more persons than it admits
  • Ukrainian Protection Status S: 71,762 persons, status extended until March 2027

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: How is the distinction between newly arrived asylum seekers (20,300) and the 5,481 births/family reunifications/multiple applications made transparent in public communication to avoid misunderstandings?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do cantonal capacities and financial incentives influence decision rates (27.1% asylum approval) between cantons, and is this variation reflected in the statistics?

  3. Eritrea Causality: The 63-percent increase in Eritrean applications is explained by the Horn of Africa situation – what alternative factors (information cascades, network effects, security situation) could additionally explain this trend?

  4. Dublin Mechanism: The suspension of Italian transfers remains in place, yet Switzerland achieves a 2:1 transfer ratio – how sustainable is this balance given increasing migration routes (Libya–Crete)?

  5. Return Implementation: The number of uncontrolled departures (10,577 persons) exceeds controlled exits – what resources and mechanisms are required to optimize enforcement of deportations by the cantons?

  6. Forecast Risks: The SEM expects ~25,000 asylum applications and ~12,000 protection applications in 2026 – how robust are these scenarios given the volatility of the Turkey situation and Mediterranean routes?

Sources

Primary Source: Asylum Statistics 2025 – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/iiAHV0k5TFjK

Verification Status: ✓ 19.02.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 19.02.2026