Since 2022, Switzerland has not been able to transfer any Dublin asylum seekers who were rejected in Switzerland to Italy. Pictured: An asylum seeker shortly after arriving in Genoa on April 8, 2025.Image: keystone
June 12, 2026, 8:22 p.mJune 12, 2026, 8:22 p.m
Italy has announced that it will take back asylum seekers from Switzerland under the Dublin Agreement. Italy had blocked transfers from Switzerland since the end of 2022.
This is made possible by the new EU migration pact, which came into force on Friday. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) assumes that the first transfers will take place after the implementation of the EU pact, as a spokeswoman said on the SRF program “Echo der Zeit” on Friday evening. The SEM stated that it was in contact with the Italian authorities about this. “Blick” first reported on it.
Italy’s change of course is related to the new European migration pact, which came into force on Friday. A solidarity mechanism provided for in it is intended to relieve the burden on states at the external borders that are under high migration pressure.
Other countries can take on asylum seekers on a voluntary basis, provide financial assistance or send staff. Switzerland intends to participate in this mechanism. But for this it still needs a corresponding agreement with the EU. The Federal Council would then decide year after year how Switzerland should participate. (sda)