Almost four times as many entry bans due to terrorism
In order to protect internal and external security, fedpol has the power to issue entry bans and expulsion orders against foreign nationals. The number of entry bans quadrupled in 2025 because of a database provided by Europol.
In accordance with the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration, fedpol is authorised to impose entry bans and expulsions on foreign nationals when Switzerland’s internal or external security is under threat. fedpol bases such decisions on its own intelligence, as well as information provided by other authorities, most notably the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS).
| Entry bans | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrorism | 92 | 19 | 81 | 126 | 512 |
| Violent extremism | 0 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 4 |
| Organised crime | 25 | 15 | 16 | 43 | 45 |
| Espionage | 70 | 276 | 75 | 34 | 52 |
| Nuclear proliferation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 187 | 312 | 173 | 238 | 614 |
The number of entry bans rose sharply in 2025 compared with the previous year; the majority of cases related to terrorism. Court-admissible information from foreign partners was a key factor in imposing entry bans in more than 500 cases; for example, Europol provided its member states with a database of individuals linked to the Islamic State who reside abroad.
The number of espionage cases in 2025 was slightly above the average for recent years – with the exception of 2022, when the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the associated espionage activities had a significant impact on figures.
For the first time, fedpol imposed an entry ban on the grounds of nuclear proliferation, i.e. the spread of nuclear weapons or the means for manufacturing them.
| Expulsions | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrorism | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Violent extremism | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Organised crime | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| War crimes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| Enforced | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Not/not yet enforced | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
A total of five expulsions were ordered in 2025. fedpol issued expulsion orders against two suspected terrorists and two individuals involved in organised crime. For the first time, fedpol ordered an expulsion on the grounds of violent extremism.
fedpol’s statistics differentiate between enforced and unenforced expulsion orders, as not every expulsion can be carried out immediately. Reasons for this include the non-refoulement principle* and ongoing appeals or criminal proceedings.
* No person may be deported to a state in which they face the threat of torture or any other form of cruel or inhumane treatment or punishment (SR 101 – Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation of 18 April 1 999 | Fedlex).