Switzerland good first refuge for asylum seekers

The majority of asylum seekers allowed into Switzerland last year did not qualify for refugee status Keystone

Proportionally Switzerland admits more asylum seekers into the country on a provisional basis than most other European nations. However, the majority are only given a temporary right to stay and do not qualify for refugee status.

According to figuresExternal link released by the European Union’s statistical office on May 12, the proportion of asylum seekers admitted provisionally into the country in 2014 is 71%, compared to an EU average of 45%.

This makes the alpine nation one of the most generous European countries in terms of offering a safe first refuge. Only Bulgaria (94%) Sweden (77%), Cyprus (76%), and Malta (73%) have a higher share of positive decisions. But apart from Sweden, these countries receive far fewer asylum seekers than Switzerland.

However, not all asylum seekers admitted into Switzerland are given the permanent right to remain in the country. Of the 15,575 cases that received a positive decision from the Swiss authorities, only around 40% were actually granted refugee status.

The majority only have a temporary right to stay in Switzerland. Around 43% of cases were allowed to remain on humanitarian grounds due to ill health or because they were unaccompanied minors. The remaining 17% were offered subsidiary protection, as they faced a risk of harm if returned to their countries of origin.

Switzerland is also particularly harsh when it comes to appeals against asylum rejection decisions. Only 7% of the appeals resulted in a positive decision compared to an EU average of 18%.