If you want to live, work or study in Switzerland, you will probably need a residence permit. Regulations depend on your country of origin and other factors.
The following chapter gives you an overview of the regulations both for EU citizens and Non-EU nationals. For the information for Non-EU nationals, just have a look at the end of the chapter.
EU nationals
The bilateral agreement on the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the EU entered into force on 1 June 2002 and facilitates entry, residence and employment in Switzerland for EU-nationals as well as citizens from Norway, Iceland (EFTA members) and – conditionally – Liechtenstein.
Eventually, EU-citizens will have complete freedom of movement within Switzerland and Swiss citizens within EU-countries.
However, during a transitional period until 31 May 2007, Switzerland can and probably will continue to allocate work permits according to quotas. On 1 June 2007, all quotas for EU citizens desiring to work in Switzerland will be suspended (but Switzerland retains the right to reintroduce quotas until 2012 if immigration becomes unexpectedly high).
For EU-citizens, this means that until 2007 you still need a residence permit and a work permit, and you are still subject to the quota system. However, the procedure for delivering these official documents has been simplified.
New EU residency and work permits
The bilateral agreement on the free movement of persons provides for short-term residency permits (up to 364 days) and five-year residency permits. Furthermore, people with short-term residency permits are not obliged to leave Switzerland when their employment contract ends.
(1) Short-term residency permit (L-EC/EFTA)
Short-term residency permits L (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) are issued to employees with fixed-term employment contracts for less than 12 months and, in many cases, to ‘non-active persons’ (i.e. students and pensioners).
If you are going to work, your employer should make a request for a short-term residence permit to the cantonal labour market authorities. You will receive a short-term residence permit valid for the duration of your employment contract.
On presentation of a new employment contract, you can apply for a new short-term residency permit. This can be done without leaving Switzerland. If your employment continues or you find a new job after the first year, the short-term permit can be renewed.
Note that an L-EC permit gives you the right to bring your family to Switzerland.
(2) B residency permit (B-EC/EFTA)
If you have a fixed-term employment contract for a year or longer or permanent contract in Switzerland, you can obtain a B permit, which is valid for five years. (Dauer-Aufenthaltsbewilligung EG/permis de séjour). The B-EC permit guarantees professional and geographical mobility, allowing you to get a new job, change your place of work or become self-employed.
To obtain this permit, you need to take the same steps for obtaining a short-term residency permit (see above). On presentation of an employment contract for a year or longer, your residency permit will be extended for a further five year period. The extension may, however, be limited to a year if you have been unemployed, against your will, for more than twelvemonths in succession.
(3) Settlement C permit (C-EC/EFTA)
After having lived in Switzerland for 5 years, your B permit will be converted into a C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung EG/permis d’établissement C). This permit gives unrestricted access to the labour market. You don’t require permission to change jobs, your canton of residence or work or to set up your own business. The C permit can be renewed every 5 years indefinitely.
(4) Border crossing G permit (G-EC/EFTA)
A G permit (Grenzgängerbewilligung, permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Switzerland. There are many people commuting to Switzerland for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Switzerland.
Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to residential rights in Switzerland. A G permit cannot be converted into a residential permit.
Since 2002, there have been some changes in the border zone restrictions for G permits:
* Residence for a period of six months in the cross-border region is no longer required.
* All EU citizens now have access to the cross-border commuter status (which is no longer exclusively available to nationals from neighbouring countries to Switzerland).
* You do not have to return home on a daily basis but only once a week. This makes it possible to stay in Switzerland from Monday to Friday and only go abroad during weekends.
* If you have an employment contract for at least a year, you will receive a cross−border commuter permit for five years instead of one year.
* You now also have the possibility to set up your own business in Switzerland.
* In connection with your work, you are allowed to acquire a second home as well as work space in Switzerland.
Self-employment
Your status as a European citizen, theoretically gives you the right to settle in Switzerland and to set up your own business, provided that you do so assuming full responsibility and at your own risk. Regulations are different depending on whether you have an L or a B permit. For more information, go to the website of the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration.
If you are looking for work in Switzerland
If you are looking for work in Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit for a stay up to 3 months long. If your job search lasts longer than three months (or if you are exporting your unemployment benefits), you have to apply to your commune of stay for a residence permit, which is valid for another three months period, for the purpose of looking for work. These permits are not subject to quotas.
Students and pensioners
If you’re planning to stay in Switzerland without working fulltime, you need to fulfil two conditions to obtain a residency permit:
* You must have sufficient financial means to provide for your own and your family’s needs.
* You must have health and accident insurance coverage
If you are a student, you must prove that your main reason for being in Switzerland is to pursue your studies and that you are enrolled in a university or a recognised college of higher education as a regular student. If you get the student B permit, you’re allowed to work up to 15 hours per week.
Non-EU residents
Since the Swiss-EU bilateral agreement for free labour movement, non-EU-citizens can only get a Swiss work permit if their future employer proves there is no Swiss or EU national available to do the job.
However, there are exceptions to this rule for highly qualified specialists and top executives. If you do get a work permit, this will usually be defined in your residence permit.
The types of residence permits for non-EU citizens are very similar to the permits given out to EU nationals, only that they are harder obtain and to renew.
(1) Short-term residence permit (L-Permit)
A short-term residence permit L ( Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) is valid for up to one year and can be renewed. It is linked to a specific job and company and you may not be granted a new permit if you change jobs. After 24 months the residence permit ends definitively.
(2) B residence permit (B-Permit)
A B-Permit is normally valid for one year and can be renewed. To Non-EU-nationals, it is only issued in specific circumstances (i.e. if you’re a highly trained specialist in a profession where there’s currently a shortage of qualified people from Switzerland or the EU).
(3) Settlement C permit (C-Permit)
A C-Permit is given out for permanent residency in Switzerland and can be renewed indefinitely. To Non-EU-citizens, it is normally only given out after 10 years of residency in Switzerland. There are some exceptions for spouses of Swiss citizens and other groups. The C-Permit allows you to freely change jobs, employers and/or become self-employed.
(4) Border crossing G permit (G-Permit)
A G permit ( Grenzgängerbewilligung/permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Switzerland. There are many people commuting to Switzerland for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Switzerland. Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to any residential rights in Switzerland. A G permit is renewed annually and cannot be converted into a residential permit.