The SonntagsZeitung analysed corresponding data from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). As the SEM confirmed at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency, a few days after the new exit regulations for 18 to 22-year-old men came into force in August, applications for protection from these people increased across Europe. Switzerland is also affected.

The number of these applications increased significantly from the beginning of September. While there were only 3 applications at the end of August (week 35), the number rose in the following weeks to 33, 77 and then steadily to a (provisional) high of 185 in mid-October. At that time, a third of all applications were submitted by 18 to 22-year-old Ukrainians.

According to the SEM, the increase in applications for S protection status registered in Switzerland from September is mainly due to an increase in applications from people in this group. These currently account for around 30% of all S applications.

However, according to the SEM, there have been signs of stabilisation in recent weeks. With reference to a declining number of entries into the federal asylum centres and a declining number of applications, the SEM notes that“for a few days now” there have been increasing signs that the peak of S applications from people from this group has passed.

According to the SEM, it is not possible to make a general statement on the reasons for this. However, it can be stated that these men in Ukraine are not about to be drafted into the army, as the mobilisation age in Ukraine is currently 25.

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Switzerland updates S status rules for Ukrainian refugees, with new regional distinctions.