Who are the Dubliners and why are they sent back to the country of first arrival?

Dubliners are asylum seekers who are in a European country other than the one in which they initially submitted the application. According to the Dublin III Regulation (now AMMR from 12 June 2026), the first EU country where an asylum seeker enters or is admitted via the Eurodac system is responsible for examining the application. This rule reduces transfers between countries and empowers the state of first access.

What does it mean to be sent back to Italy as a Swiss asylum seeker?

If you applied for asylum in Italy and then entered Switzerland, the Swiss authorities (SEM) may decide to transfer your file to the Italian authorities because that country is responsible for the examination according to the AMMR Regulation. This means that your application will be processed in Italy, not Switzerland, and you will need to return to Italy to continue the process.

How does the procedure for repatriation with the AMMR change from 12 June 2026?

The AMMR introduces simplified criteria and reduced time to determine which country is competent to examine an asylum application. Compared to the previous Dublin III Regulation, the return processes will be faster and the required documentation simplified. An asylum seeker must act promptly in filing any appeals, as the deadlines are compacted.

Which European countries have already adopted this policy of repatriation to Italy?

Seven European countries have adopted or will adopt the policy of returning foreigners to the country of first arrival: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and now Ireland. Switzerland was among the first to implement this system, along with other EU countries.

Where can I find official information on repatriation procedures in Switzerland?

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the competent federal body. You can consult the official website sem.admin.ch, contact the local asylum office in your canton, or contact migrant support organizations. All updates on the AMMR Regulation and the new procedures are published on the SEM portal.

Ireland also sends Dubliners back to Italy (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 22 August 2026

View of Lake Lugano with Swiss Alps in the background, representing Switzerland's geographical position in Europe.

Ireland adheres to the policy of repatriation of asylum seekers. Seventh European country, after Switzerland, to adopt this strategy.

Context

In a nutshell

Ireland adopts a policy of repatriation of foreigners to Italy
Seventh European country, after Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands
New AMMR procedures in force from 12 June 2026 with reduced time

Key facts

What: Repatriation of asylum seekers to the EU country of first arrival
When: From 12 June 2026 (AMMR in force)
Where: To Italy mainly
Who: Irish Government, Home Office and Migration
Countries: 7 European countries including Switzerland
Standard: AMMR Regulation (Asylum Management and Migration Regulation)

Ireland also joins the countries that intend to send migrants back to Italy as a country of first arrival. The news is reported in the media. It is the seventh country - after Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands - that will adopt such a policy with respect to so-called "dublinantes", migrants awaiting asylum who are in a European country other than the one of entry.

A spokesperson for the Irish Ministry of Home Affairs and Migration said: 'Ireland continues to comply with and process all notifications, requests and transfers to all Member States, including Italy, under the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) or the previous Dublin III Regulation, as applicable.'

Who are the Dubliners

The so-called "Dubliners" are asylum seekers who are in a European country other than

Operational details

Implications for Switzerland

Switzerland has already adopted this policy, positioning itself among the first European countries to implement the system of repatriation of foreigners to Italy. This means that when an asylum seeker arrives on Swiss territory after having transited through Italy, the Swiss authorities (SEM - Secretariat of State for Migration) assess the situation according to the criteria of the Dublin III Regulation or AMMR. If the first access to Europe took place in Italy, the applicant can be repatriated to that country for the examination of the application. Ireland's decision to join this policy represents a convergence at European level, although it is nothing new for Switzerland, which has already experimented with return mechanisms for years.

How times change with AMMR

The new AMMR Regulation introduces simplified criteria and reduced time compared to Dublin III. The procedures for determining the competent State will be faster. An asylum seeker who arrives in Switzerland knowing that they are from Italy must be aware that the repatriation process could be accelerated from 12 June 2026 onwards. Eurodac biometric documents facilitate the identification of the initial migration route, allowing authorities to coordinate transfers in a timely manner.

Return scenario in Switzerland

An asylum seeker applying in Switzerland without previous European access will be

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Key points

Practical procedures in Switzerland

If you are an asylum seeker arriving in Switzerland, it is essential to understand how the return procedure according to the AMMR Regulation works. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the federal body responsible for handling asylum applications and determining which applicants should be transferred to the country of first arrival. Among the support services available in Switzerland, access to information, guidance and procedural support are provided by the cantons according to federal laws. See the official sem.admin.ch portal for updated procedures to the AMMR Regulation.

Deadlines and fulfillments

Under the new provisions, the deadline for appeals and the repatriation dossier will be changed from 12 June 2026. Notification and transfer times are reduced, which means that an asylum seeker must act promptly in filing any appeals or requests for review. The SEM publishes the exact times of the procedures on the official website and at the local asylum offices. It is crucial to monitor official communications and keep track of every document received.

What to do if you are interested

1. Check the status of the application: Contact the SEM or the local asylum office to find out if you are subject to repatriation under the AMMR Regulation. 2. Collect documents: Prepare all documents related to your migration route and previous questions

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Source: tio.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Dubliners and why are they sent back to the country of first arrival?: Dubliners are asylum seekers who are in a European country other than the one in which they initially submitted the application. According to the Dublin III Regulation (now AMMR from 12 June 2026), the first EU country where an asylum seeker enters or is admitted via the Eurodac system is responsible for examining the application. This rule reduces transfers between countries and empowers the state of first access.
What does it mean to be sent back to Italy as a Swiss asylum seeker?: If you applied for asylum in Italy and then entered Switzerland, the Swiss authorities (SEM) may decide to transfer your file to the Italian authorities because that country is responsible for the examination according to the AMMR Regulation. This means that your application will be processed in Italy, not Switzerland, and you will need to return to Italy to continue the process.
How does the procedure for repatriation with the AMMR change from 12 June 2026?: The AMMR introduces simplified criteria and reduced time to determine which country is competent to examine an asylum application. Compared to the previous Dublin III Regulation, the return processes will be faster and the required documentation simplified. An asylum seeker must act promptly in filing any appeals, as the deadlines are compacted.
Which European countries have already adopted this policy of repatriation to Italy?: Seven European countries have adopted or will adopt the policy of returning foreigners to the country of first arrival: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and now Ireland. Switzerland was among the first to implement this system, along with other EU countries.
Where can I find official information on repatriation procedures in Switzerland?: The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the competent federal body. You can consult the official website sem.admin.ch, contact the local asylum office in your canton, or contact migrant support organizations. All updates on the AMMR Regulation and the new procedures are published on the SEM portal.