Arrival
The accelerated asylum procedure
Switzerland’s asylum policy has a clear goal: to make sure that people who need protection receive that protection in Switzerland, while people who do not need protection leave Switzerland quickly.
Procedure
Regions
Regions and locations
There is one federal asylum centre with processing facilities in each of the six asylum regions. Here asylum seekers can register and submit an application for asylum, which is then processed at the centre. During this time, they are accommodated at the centre with processing facilities or at another asylum centre in the same region.
Bern (city of Bern)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Balerna / Chiasso (TI)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Boudry (canton of Neuchatel)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Zurich (canton of Zurich)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Basel (canton of Basel-Stadt)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Altstätten (canton of St. Gallen)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
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Asylzentren Schweiz
Wipen sie von Zentrum zu Zentrum
Bern (city of Bern)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Balerna / Chiasso (TI)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Boudry (canton of Neuchatel)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Zurich (canton of Zurich)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Basel (canton of Basel-Stadt)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Altstätten (canton of St. Gallen)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Interview
The interview
The interview on the reasons for seeking asylum is the key element of the asylum procedure. Asylum seekers can explain in detail why they need protection and provide evidence in support of their application. The decision on asylum is made on the basis of the interview.
Daily life
Links
Links
Themen- und Kantonsfaktenblätter
Häufig gestellte Fragen zu den Bundesasylzentren
1. Bundesasylzentren
2. Standortsuche
3. Bau, Einrichtung, Eröffnung von Zentren
4. Betrieb
5. Rolle der Kantone/Gemeinden, Folgen für Kantone/Gemeinden
Häufig gestellte Fragen zu den Bundesasylzentren
1. Bundesasylzentren
2. Standortsuche
3. Bau, Einrichtung, Eröffnung von Zentren
4. Betrieb
5. Rolle der Kantone/Gemeinden, Folgen für Kantone/Gemeinden
1. Do asylum seekers sleep in dormitories or in single rooms?
Accommodation is separated by gender in shared rooms; families are accommodated in family rooms. Unaccompanied minors are accommodated in separate rooms and receive special care.
2. Do asylum seekers in the federal asylum centres have to work?
Asylum seekers and persons in need of protection are obliged to work in the centres. For example, they clean the accommodation and sanitary facilities, distribute meals or wash the dishes.
3. Are asylum seekers allowed to leave the federal asylum centres?
Asylum seekers may leave the federal centres with the permission of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM. This is currently regulated by the FDJP Ordinance on the Operation of Federal Centres and Accommodation at Airports. During the week, asylum seekers are free to leave the centre from 9am to 5pm. On weekends, they can leave from 9am on Friday until 7pm on Sunday, for example to visit relatives. Permission to leave for longer can be arranged in consultation with the local commune.
4. What do asylum seekers do all day?
During their relatively short stay in a federal asylum centre, asylum seekers must be available for each step in the asylum procedure – a basic requirement to ensure the swift processing of the procedure. There is a regular daily routine, with fixed meal and rest times and an obligation to participate in household duties. Support organisations are responsible for providing opportunities for activities such as sports and language lessons, and for running community service employment programmes which are of benefit to the public.
5. Are asylum seekers allowed to seek work?
Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while they are staying in a federal asylum centre. However, they may participate in charitable work programmes.
6. Do children staying in the federal asylum centres go to school?
No. Because asylum seekers only stay in the federal asylum centres for a short time only, enrolling them in school is neither practical nor reasonable. However, children of school age are taught and all children receive special care in the centres.
7. How long do asylum seekers stay in a centre? What happens to them after they leave?
All asylum seekers are assigned to a federal asylum centre with processing facilities when they apply for asylum. During initial clarifications, if there is an indication that another Dublin state may be responsible, a Dublin procedure is initiated and the person is returned to the country responsible provided that country agrees. In all other cases, the national procedure is initiated. In the accelerated procedure, a hearing on the grounds for asylum is held and then, if the facts of the case are clear, a decision is made within eight working days. If the person is granted asylum or temporary admission, they are allocated to a canton; in the case of a negative decision, a removal order is issued. If this cannot be carried out, the person is transferred to the canton responsible. The maximum length of stay in the federal asylum centres is 140 days. If further clarifications are required, there is an extended procedure in which the canton takes over responsibility for accommodation and care. The aim is to reach a decision about two months after a person has been allocated to a canton.
8. What happens if an applicant does not follow the rules?
All criminal actions are reported to the police. An applicant who endangers public safety and order or whose behaviour seriously disrupts the proper operation of the federal asylum centre may be housed in a ‘special centre’.
9. What happens if an asylum seeker leaves during the process or cannot be found?
If an asylum seeker does not return to their assigned accommodation and cannot be found, their asylum application is dismissed. As a rule, these people leave Switzerland.
10. Who runs the centres?
The State Secretariat for Migration SEM is responsible for operating the federal asylum centres. However, the federal government does not look after the asylum seekers itself, but outsources the work to private companies. These service providers are responsible for all aspects of daily life, including food, hygiene, health, clothing and activities. They organise the daily programme and coordinate the charitable work assignments. The federal government also commissions security companies to ensure security in the centres and, if necessary and in consultation with the canton and commune, in the surrounding area.
11. Where are food and meals for the federal asylum centres sourced?
Wherever possible and in accordance with the law, local companies provide food and meals.
BAZ Bern
Bern (city of Bern)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Bern
Morillonstrasse 75
3003 Bern
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Bern
Morillonstrasse 75
3003 Bern
Our location
The SEM has operated a federal asylum centre with asylum proceedings in the former Ziegler hospital since 2016.
The centre in Bern has 350 beds and space for approximately 100 SEM staff and legal representatives. Since the federal authorities may only use the building until approximately the end of 2030, federal, cantonal and municipal authorities are currently looking for an alternative location. The aim is to continue operating a federal asylum centre with asylum proceedings near to the city of Bern.
Zurich (canton of Zurich)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Zurich
Duttweilerstrasse 5
Förrlibuckstrasse 110
8005 Zurich
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Zurich
Duttweilerstrasse 5
Förrlibuckstrasse 110
8005 Zurich
Our location
The federal asylum centre in Zurich has 360 beds and around 130 work spaces for SEM staff and legal representatives.
The centre comprises the accommodation block on the Duttweiler site and the offices at Förrlibuckstrasse 110, very close to the centre. Most of the SEM offices and those of the lawyers who process the asylum applications are situated here.
Muttenz (canton of Basel-Land)
Federal
asylum centre without processing facilities
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Feldreben
Stegackerstrasse 12
4132 Muttenz
Our location
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Feldreben
Stegackerstrasse 12
4132 Muttenz
Our location
The SEM operates a
federal asylum centre on the Feldreben site in Muttenz. The centre, which may
only be used until the end of 2020, can accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers.
Although the centre
is used for accommodation purposes, it could also be used in special circumstances as
a reception and registration centre, and for conducting interviews.
Kappelen (BE)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Kappelen
Grenzstrasse 17
3250 Lyss
Our location
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Kappelen
Grenzstrasse 17
3250 Lyss
Our location
The federal
asylum centre at Kappelen mainly accommodates asylum seekers whose application
falls under the Dublin procedure or whose application has been rejected. In
general, these people must leave Switzerland after only a short stay. Asylum
proceedings are not conducted at the centre.
The centre
at Kappelen has 160 beds and provides accommodation for individuals and
families. It is currently being remodelled and expanded to provide a maximum of
270 places by summer 2021.
Embrach (canton of Zurich)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Embrach
Römerweg 21
8424 Embrach
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Embrach
Römerweg 21
8424 Embrach
Our location
The federal
asylum centre in Embrach has a total capacity of 360 beds.
The centre provides accommodation
for asylum seekers whose procedure falls under the Dublin Agreement or whose
application has been rejected.
These
people must generally leave Switzerland after only a short stay. The centre can
accommodate individuals and families.
Allschwil (canton of Basel-Land)
Federal
asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Allschwil
Vogesenweg 9
4123 Allschwil
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Allschwil
Vogesenweg 9
4123 Allschwil
Our location
The federal asylum
centre in Allschwil provides accommodation for 150 asylum seekers, mostly for those
whose asylum procedure falls under the Dublin Agreement or whose asylum
application has been refused.
These people must
generally leave Switzerland after only a short stay. It is a temporary facility
until the necessary 490 places for north-western Switzerland become available
in other federal asylum centres.
Vallorbe (canton of Vaud)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Vallorbe
Champs de la croix 23
1337 Vallorbe
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Vallorbe
Champs de la croix 23
1337 Vallorbe
Our location
The federal
asylum centre at Vallorbe mainly accommodates asylum seekers whose application
falls under the Dublin procedure or whose application has been rejected. In
general, these people must leave Switzerland after only a short stay. Asylum
proceedings are not conducted at the centre.
The centre has
approximately 250 places and provides accommodation for individuals and families.
Most resettlement refugees are accommodated at the Vallorbe centre.
Rümlang (canton of Zurich)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
In planning
Federal Asylum Centre Rümlang
Camp Haselbach
Heuelstrasse 100
8153 Rümlang
Our location
In planning
Federal Asylum Centre Rümlang
Camp Haselbach
Heuelstrasse 100
8153 Rümlang
Our location
The federal asylum
centre in Rümlang has 150 beds and does not process asylum applications. The
premises are still being used for military purposes.
After
decommission and rebuilding, the centre is expected to open in 2024.
Flumenthal (canton of Solothurn)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Flumenthal
Im Schachen
4534 Flumenthal
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Flumenthal
Im Schachen
4534 Flumenthal
Our location
The federal asylum
centre at Flumenthal does not conduct asylum proceedings. It mainly accommodates
people whose asylum procedure falls under the Dublin Agreement or whose asylum
application has been refused, i.e. people who must generally leave Switzerland after
only a short stay.
It provides accommodation
for individuals and families, and has 250 beds.
Grand-Saconnex (canton of Geneva)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
in planning
Federal Asylum Centre Grand-Saconnex
Chemin du Bois-Brûlé
1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Our location
in planning
Federal Asylum Centre Grand-Saconnex
Chemin du Bois-Brûlé
1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
Our location
A new federal centre
is being built on the site of the existing cantonal asylum centre. The new
building will provide 250 beds and should be ready in 2022.
The centre will not
house asylum proceedings, but be used primarily to accommodate asylum seekers.
BAZ Belerna (TI)
Balerna / Chiasso (TI)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Accommodation
Federal Asylum Centre Pasture
Via Motta 4A
6628 Balerna
Our location
Offices (SEM and legal)
Via Milano 23 and Via 1° Agosto
6830 Chiasso
Our location
Accommodation
Federal Asylum Centre Pasture
Via Motta 4A
6628 Balerna
Our location
Offices (SEM and legal)
Via Milano 23 and Via 1° Agosto
6830 Chiasso
Our location
The federal asylum centre in Balerna, opened in June 2024, has 350 beds.
The offices for SEM staff are in the administrative building at Via 10 Agosto in Chiasso, across the road from Via Milano 23, where the legal representatives are based. About 100 people work at the two sites.
Altstätten (canton of St. Gallen)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Altstätten Bleichemühlistrasse 6
Schöntalstrasse 2
9450 Altstätten
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Altstätten Bleichemühlistrasse 6
Schöntalstrasse 2
9450 Altstätten
Our location
A new facility is under construction on the Hädler site in Altstätten. The new building will provide 390 beds and around 100 work spaces for SEM staff and legal representatives.
Since the new building will not be ready for use before 2026, the existing centre in Altstätten has been modified to provide 340 beds as a temporary solution. The SEM has also rented additional office space for around 100 SEM staff and legal representatives at Schöntalstrasse.
Boudry (canton of Neuchatel)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Boudry
Rue de l’Hôpital 60
2017 Boudry
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Boudry
Rue de l’Hôpital 60
2017 Boudry
Our location
The federal asylum centre at Boudry has 480 beds,
and work space for 190 SEM and legal representatives.
Schwyz (canton of Schwyz)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
In planning
Location yet to be defin
Federal Asylum Centre
Franzosenstrasse 77/79
6430 Schwyz
Our location
In planning
Location yet to be defin
Federal Asylum Centre
Franzosenstrasse 77/79
6430 Schwyz
Our location
The definite location
of the centre for the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland and central
Switzerland has not yet been decided. If no other suitable location is found,
it will probably be in Schwyz (canton of Schwyz). The future centre on the
Wintersried site will have 340 beds.
Until the
centre is opened, the army camp at Glaubenberg (canton of Obwalden) will be
used as a temporary centre (Glaubenberg cannot be operated permanently because
of moorland protection regulations).
Kreuzlingen (canton of Thurgau)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Kreuzlingen
Döbelistrasse 13
8280 Kreuzlingen
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Kreuzlingen
Döbelistrasse 13
8280 Kreuzlingen
Our location
The existing centre in
Kreuzlingen will be modified into a federal asylum centre without asylum
proceedings and will contain 310 beds.
The centre will
mainly accommodate people whose asylum application falls under the Dublin
procedure or whose asylum application has been refused, i.e. people who must generally
leave Switzerland after only a short stay.
Giffers (canton of Fribourg)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Guglera
Guglera 1
1735 Giffers
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Guglera
Guglera 1
1735 Giffers
Our location
The federal asylum
centre at Giffers can accommodate approximately 250 asylum seekers. Its
capacity can be increased to 300 places when the number of asylum applications becomes
unusually high.
The centre mainly
accommodates people whose asylum procedure falls under the Dublin Agreement or
whose application has been rejected. These people must generally leave
Switzerland after only a short stay. The centre provides accommodation for
individuals and families.
Sarnen (canton of Obwalden)
Federal asylum centre without processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Glaubenberg
Glaubenberg
6063 Sarnen
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Glaubenberg
Glaubenberg
6063 Sarnen
Our location
The federal
asylum centre at Glaubenberg will be used as a temporary facility until
approximately May 2022. The centre mainly accommodates people whose asylum
procedure falls under the Dublin Agreement or whose asylum application has been
refused. These people must generally leave Switzerland after only a short stay.
The definite location
of the asylum centre for central and southern Switzerland has not yet been
determined.
BAZ Lyss
Bern (canton of Bern)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
in planning
location yet to be defined
in planning
location yet to be defined
Since May 2016, the SEM has
run a federal asylum
accommodation and
procedure centre in the
former Ziegler Hospital in
Bern. The building is being
used by the federal authorities
as a temporary solution,
probably until the end of 2023.
Until recently, the former
armoury in Lyss had been
earmarked as the new long-
term location for the federal
asylum accommodation and
procedure centre.
Now, however, the federal and
cantonal authorities and City of Bern are together
looking at alternative locations
that ensure that the federal
asylum accommodation and
procedure centre remains in or
close to the city of Bern. The
Cantonal Transit Centre in
Kappelen (BE) will be
converted into a federal
asylum accommodation
centre, making 270 places
available from 2021.
Les Verrières (canton of Neuchatel)
Specific centre
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Les Verrières
Les Grand Cernets 1-2
2126 Les Verrières
Our location
Temporarily closed
Federal Asylum Centre Les Verrières
Les Grand Cernets 1-2
2126 Les Verrières
Our location
The facility at Les
Verrières is a special accommodation centre for recalcitrant asylum seekers.
It has a total
capacity of 60 places.
Basel (canton of Basel-Stadt)
Federal asylum centre with processing facilities
Federal Asylum Centre Basel
Freiburgerstrasse 50
4057 Basel
Our location
Federal Asylum Centre Basel
Freiburgerstrasse 50
4057 Basel
Our location
The federal asylum centre for north-western Switzerland is located in Basel.
The centre in Basel has 350 beds. There are also around 130 work spaces for SEM staff and legal representatives.
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The accelerated asylum procedure
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