SEM opens a new federal asylum centre in Altstätten (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The new federal asylum centre in Altstätten was inaugurated on 15 August 2026. - The facility is an example of collaboration between state levels. - The centre will be open in early September 2026.

Key facts

• What: Inauguration of the new federal asylum centre in Altstätten
• When: 15 August 2026
• Where: Altstätten
• Who: The Secretariat of State for Migration (SEM)
• Amount: 390 beds and 106 jobs

The new federal asylum centre in Altstätten was inaugurated on 15 August 2026. The facility is an example of collaboration between state levels and will open in early September 2026. The centre will be able to accommodate 390 asylum seekers and will be served by 106 jobs.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) organised an open day on 15 August 2026, during which guests, media operators and the public had the opportunity to visit the new centre.

This initiative is part of Switzerland's migration policy, which includes the creation of reception centres for asylum seekers. According to SEM data, 32,000 asylum applications were submitted in 2025, of which 70% were rejected. The new facility in Altstätten represents a step forward in the policy of receiving asylum seekers in Switzerland.

The Altstätten centre will be managed by the reception centre management company (SOGCA), which has

Operational details

The new federal asylum centre in Altstätten is an example of collaboration between state levels. The facility was built in collaboration with the Confederation, the cantons of the asylum region of eastern Switzerland and the city of Altstätten. The centre will open in early September 2026 and will be able to accommodate 390 asylum seekers. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) organised an open day on 15 August 2026, during which guests, media operators and the public had the opportunity to visit the new centre.

The federal asylum centre in Altstätten represents an important step forward in managing migration in Switzerland. SEM has worked closely with the cantons of the asylum region to ensure that the centre is designed and built to meet the needs of asylum seekers. “Our goal is to create a welcoming and safe environment for asylum seekers,” said the head of SEM. "We are proud to have been able to work together with the Cantons and the city of Altstätten to make this project a reality."

The facility of the federal asylum centre in Altstätten has been designed to accommodate up to 390 asylum seekers. The centre will be equipped with spaces for integration activities, health care services and spaces for families. In addition, the centre will be equipped with advanced technologies to

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Key points

If you would like to visit the new federal asylum centre in Altstätten, you can make a request for information to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) or visit their website for more information.

The new federal asylum centre in Altstätten represents an important step forward in managing migration in Switzerland. SEM has worked closely with cantonal and local authorities to ensure that the centre is suitable for the needs of asylum seekers. The centre will be operated in accordance with federal rules relating to migration, in particular the Federal Law on Migration of 16 December 2005 (LMF) and the Federal Law on the Protection of Asylum Seekers of 26 June 1998 (LPA).

The federal asylum centre in Altstätten will be able to accommodate 390 asylum seekers, who will be assigned to reception facilities in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. SEM has planned to allocate approximately 1.5 million Swiss francs (CHF) for the operation of the centre for the year 2026, based on the budget plans approved by the Federal Council. The figure may vary based on actual needs.

The centre will be run by a team of SEM experts, who will be responsible for providing assistance to asylum seekers and ensuring that the asylum process is respected. The centre will be open 24/7 to ensure that asylum seekers have access to all information and resources

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Source: admin.ch