gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersEffectiveMedium impactVerified

SEM temporarily closes six federal asylum centers

🇨🇭 SwitzerlandAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 21 May 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 90%

Current rules

SEM has temporarily taken six centres out of operation. The reduction is intended to match available capacity more closely with the lower number of asylum applications. The centres can be brought back into operation if demand increases.

Overview

Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) temporarily closed six federal asylum centres because the number of new asylum applications was lower than expected. The centres affected are: Thônex Niederscherli Aesch Arlesheim Sulgen Chiasso SEM announced the measure on 21 May 2026 and said the six centres would be temporarily taken out of operation from mid-June 2026. The temporary closures reduced SEM's available accommodation capacity by around 700 places. The measure was intended to: Reduce excess accommodation capacity. Lower operating costs. Allow minor maintenance and repair work. Keep the centres available for future use if asylum applications increase. This is an operational capacity measure. It does not change the legal requirements for making an asylum claim in Switzerland.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Asylum seekers who would otherwise have been accommodated in one of the six affected centres
  • People entering the Swiss asylum procedure during the period of reduced capacity
  • SEM staff operating federal asylum centres
  • Cantons that receive asylum seekers through the federal system
  • Organisations providing services in or around the affected centres

What changed in the latest version

Before

Switzerland had more federal asylum centres operating. It had planned for a higher number of asylum applications. At the time of the announcement, 30 federal asylum centres were operating nationwide. These centres provided about 7,000 accommodation places.

After

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has temporarily stopped operating six centres. This reduction aims to match the available capacity with the lower number of asylum applications. SEM can open the centres again if demand increases.

This temporary closure is important. It shows a big administrative change in Switzerland's asylum system. This change happened because fewer people are applying for asylum. The closure aims to reduce too much capacity and save money. The decision directly affects the operational capacity for people seeking asylum, reducing it by about 700 places. It also allows for maintenance work on the affected facilities. This ensures they are ready for future seasonal increases in applications. The measure shows that the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) manages resources well in response to changing demand. It also keeps the policy of allowing Ukrainian people seeking protection with negative decisions to stay longer in federal centres to help the cantons.

Explained simply

Imagine a hotel for people seeking safety. Switzerland had fewer guests checking in than they expected, so they're temporarily closing six of these 'hotels' to save money and fix things up. They'll reopen them when more people are expected to arrive in the summer, like when it gets busy during holiday season.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v7Effective 15 Jun 2026EffectiveMedium impact
    SEM temporarily closes six federal asylum centers

    The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced on 21 May 2026 that it would temporarily close six Federal Asylum Centres (BAZ). These centres are in Thônex, Niederscherli, Aesch, Arlesheim, Sulgen, and Chiasso. The closures will start by mid-June at the latest. This is because fewer people have applied for asylum than expected. Asylum applications were nearly 20 per cent lower for the first four months of the year compared to the previous year. The closures will reduce SEM's total capacity by about 700 places. The centres will undergo minor maintenance work. SEM expects them to be ready again when asylum applications usually increase from the summer. Currently, 30 BAZ are operating nationwide, providing about 7,000 accommodation places.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    21 May 2026

    The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is temporarily decommissioning six federal asylum centres by mid-June 2026. This measure, affecting approximately 700 accommodation places, aims to reduce overcapacity and save costs following a significant drop in asylum applications. The centres will resume operations when a seasonal increase in applications is anticipated later in the summer.

Other routes in this country

1 / 6