Legal Help

As a competence centre and the umbrella organisation of Swiss aid agencies active in the field of asylum, the Swiss Refugee Council provides general information and trainings for the public as well as background work and coordination for specialists and legal advisory services. The Swiss Refugee Council cannot assist or represent individual cases. 

On our website you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the asylum system in Switzerland and the rights associated with the different statuses. 

If you need legal representation, individual legal advice or help with your appeal, you can contact the legal protection service in your federal asylum centre or a legal advisory service in your canton. 

If the legal advisory service cannot help you and your question is not answered by the FAQs, you can call us during our legal telephone consultation hours on Tuesday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: 

 Tel. +41 (0) 31 370 75 99 

Please note: The Swiss Refugee Council does not provide legal counselling on individual cases. We provide general legal information on the asylum procedure, the practices of the Swiss authorities regarding asylum, and the rights attached to each status in Switzerland. If you would like individual advice, please contact the relevant legal advisory service. 

Within the scope of our capacities, we offer legal information for professionals on the asylum procedure, the asylum practice of the Swiss authorities and the rights attached to each status in Switzerland. Our capacities are limited. We endeavour to respond promptly but cannot guarantee an answer within a certain period of time. 

Legal information answering your questions is only possible thanks to donations. We therefore thank you for your support.