Living Conditions 

The living conditions during the asylum procedure (i.e. with N permit) are oftentimes very rough and amount to detention-like conditions (e.g. no work, no language classes, no daily structure, very low-level medical support, no mental health support, etc.).

Whenever there is a complaint about the living conditions, please evaluate in a first step the competent authority for the camp in question. Please note that there are no minimal standards (in contrast to, e.g., minimal conditions for people in criminal detention); therefore, any legal argumentation needs to be drafted very thoughtfully.

If the living conditions in a federal camp (EVZ) are concerned, please contact the respective head of the camp. Otherwise, contact the responsible cantonal or communal authority. If the client already has a lawyer, please refer to such lawyer.

There are several aspects which are quite critical for people with N permit:

·         Access to dental care;

·         Access to medical care;

·         Access to psychological support;

·         Access to language classes/school/university;

·         Access to financial services;

·         Access to labour market.

We have an updated list with services in these regards in different regions of Switzerland. It can be found on G-Drive.