The positive relationship between welfare states benefit generosity and acceptance of refugees are often proved through cross-sectional studies. However, cross-sectional studies rarely give an answer to why welfare states differ from expected levels of each variable. This essay delves into two divergent cases: Switzerland and Denmark, to find out how the relationship between the welfare state benefit generosity and the refugees change over time. By studying the changes of the wel-fare states over time through both quantitative and qualitative dimensions the the-sis argues that the welfare state change affects the willingness of states to accept refugees. By studying welfare reforms of Switzerland and Denmark between 1990 and 2010, the essay claims that welfare states that make cuts and are declining in generosity and universalism becomes more inclined to limit the level of refugees. Welfare states that on the other hand have increasing or stabile level of welfare generosity are more inclined to have an increasing or stabilizing level of refugees. The thesis is a comparative-historical deviant case study of Switzerland and Denmark with theory developing ambitions
