EU/EFTA Citizens: Residence Permits for Switzerland

You are an EU/EFTA citizen and would like to move to Switzerland? Find out in this blog which residence permit best suits your needs and which requirements have to be met.

What residence permits are available?

The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FMPA; SR 142.112.681), which simplifies living and working conditions for EU citizens in Switzerland, has been in force between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) since  June 1, 2002. This agreement allows nationals of EU/EFTA member states to enter Switzerland, to reside and to take up employment here.

After entering Switzerland, you must report in person to the competent residents' registration office and submit a residence application if your stay is to last longer than three months or 90 working days.

Depending on the reason and duration of stay, the types of permits are:

• Short-term residence permit L
• Residence permit B
• Cross-border commuter permit G
• Settlement Permit C

Residence in Switzerland without gainful employment

The FMPA allows people who are not gainfully employed to stay in Switzerland. Persons who are not gainfully employed include, for example, pensioners, students and other persons who are not in employment.

Stays of less than three months as a non-employed person (e.g. as a tourist) do not require a residence permit. Persons who wish to stay in Switzerland for longer than three months without gainful employment must have the following:

• sufficient financial means so that the person does not become dependent on social welfare; and
• comprehensive health insurance cover that covers all risks (including the risk of accidents).

If your stay lasts longer than three months, you must apply for a B residence permit. To do so, you must register with the migration office of your canton of residence and present a valid passport or identity card. The residence permit is usually issued for five years and is automatically renewed if the two conditions mentioned above are still met.

Residence with gainful employment in Switzerland

EU/EFTA citizens who wish to take up gainful employment in Switzerland generally require a residence permit. Activities of up to three months per calendar year are exempt. All you need to do is register.

As a prerequisite for a residence permit for gainful employment of more than three months, a certificate of employment (employment contract) must be presented. If the employment relationship is limited to up to one year, a short-term residence permit L is issued, limited to the duration of the employment relationship. If an employment contract is concluded for a longer period or for an unlimited period, a residence permit B must be applied for. This residence permit is valid for five years.

EU/EFTA nationals who wish to take up self-employment in Switzerland must also apply for a B EU/EFTA residence permit. Proof of effective self-employment must be provided for this purpose.

Family reunification

The FMPA allows EU/EFTA citizens with a residence permit in Switzerland to bring their family members with them. This means that certain family members can accompany EU/EFTA citizens with a residence permit to Switzerland and also receive a residence permit. These include:

• Spouses;
• Relatives in the descending line, i.e. in particular the children who are younger than 21 or dependent; and
• Relatives in the ascending line, i.e. in particular the parents, provided they are dependent.

The right of residence of family members exists irrespective of the nationality of these persons. However, it must be noted that the duration of the residence permit of the family members depends on the period of validity of the residence permit of the EU/EFTA citizen.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration team.

Authors: Anna Züst, Gian Geel

Category: Immigration