According to data released by the Federal Office of Statistics in Switzerland on October 7, 2026, Algerians topped the list of foreigners convicted of theft in the country in 2025. A total of 1,497 individuals with Algerian nationality were found guilty, with only 35 of them being permanent residents. This highlights the significant presence of non-residents among property crime offenders.
The data shows that 1,462 of the Algerians convicted of theft were not permanent residents. The total number of Algerians convicted of various criminal offenses in Switzerland in 2025 was 1,964, with 83 being permanent residents. This makes them the largest group of foreigners convicted of crimes in the country, surpassing those with French and Romanian nationality.
Moroccans ranked eighth in the classification of foreigners convicted of general criminal offenses in Switzerland in 2025, with 782 individuals found guilty, not including permanent residents. This number encompasses all types of offenses, not just theft. The data provides insight into the nationality of individuals convicted of crimes in the country.
In Switzerland, a total of 7,956 individuals were convicted of theft in 2025. According to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, over 80% of those convicted were foreigners, and approximately two-thirds were not permanent residents. The offenses included store theft, pickpocketing, bicycle and car theft, and residential burglary.
The category of non-residents includes individuals with short-term stays, asylum seekers who have been in the country for less than 12 months, tourists, and those without a legal residence status. The data has sparked debate about what authorities and experts term "criminal tourism," where individuals travel across borders to commit specific crimes.
However, the Federal Office of Statistics emphasized that the data does not prove that all non-resident convicts entered Switzerland with the intention of committing a crime. The office highlighted that the statistics only provide information on the nationality and residence status of those convicted, without providing details on their motivations or circumstances.
The issue of criminal offenses committed by foreigners in Switzerland continues to be a topic of discussion, with authorities and experts examining the causes and consequences of such crimes. The data provides valuable insights into the demographics of those convicted, which can inform policy and law enforcement strategies.
Key points
- Algerians made up the largest group of foreigners convicted of theft in Switzerland in 2025, with 1,497 individuals found guilty.
- Over 80% of those convicted of theft in Switzerland in 2025 were foreigners.
- The data has sparked debate about "criminal tourism" in Switzerland, where individuals travel across borders to commit specific crimes.
