Work Permit

EU/EFTA citizens

B permit for work and residence in Switzerland

Citizens from the EU/EFTA area have the right to settle in Switzerland, seek employment or be self-employed. The Cantons are responsible for issuing permits. A residence permit for nationals of EU/EFTA member states is valid for five years; it is issued if the EU/EFTA citizen provides proof of permanent employment or employment for a period of at least 365 days.

(Map of EU/EFTA citizens: Living and working in Switzerland (admin.ch)

There is no authorisation requirement for service providers and temporary employees from EU-27 states and EFTA states for up to 90 days per calendar year; only a registration requirement applies.

Persons from EU/EFTA states who are not employed are also entitled to a B permit if they can prove that they have sufficient financial resources and adequate health and accident insurance.

Third-country citizens

B permit for work and residence in Switzerland

To be clear, only limited work and residence permits are issued for workers from third countries. Managers, specialists and qualified workers are admitted to a limited extent. In principle, priority is given to Swiss nationals, which means that Swiss citizens and EU/EFTA nationals are given preferential treatment and it is difficult to prove that the corresponding position can only be performed by a person from a third country. In addition, some cantons apply a quota system for third-country nationals.

Despite all these almost hopeless prospects; talk to us, perhaps we can obtain a permit.