SwitzerlandFree movement
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
The bilateral Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) between Switzerland and the EU/EFTA states creates the right; the SEM confirms it applies to any national of an EU or EFTA state.
This agreement applies to any national of an EU or EFTA state.
Residence basis is gainful employment: EU/EFTA nationals only need a residence permit, which doubles as a work permit; a type B permit is issued for employment of at least one year or for an unlimited period (employment of up to 364 days leads instead to a type L short-term permit).
Nationals of an EU/EFTA state only need a residence permit: this residence permit doubles as work permit.
A residence permit will be issued depending on the duration of employment: a short-term residence permit (type L permit) for employment of up to 364 days or a residence permit (type B permit) for employment of at least one year or for an unlimited period.
Within 14 days of arrival and before actually taking up work, the person must register with the local commune authorities and apply for a residence permit, presenting a valid ID/passport and written confirmation of employment (e.g. an employment contract stating duration and hours).
nationals of EU/EFTA states have to register with the local authorities of the commune in which they are residing and apply for a residence permit.
A valid ID or passport and a written confirmation of employment (e.g. the contract of employment containing details of the duration of employment and the number of working hours) have to be presented.
Within 14 days of their arrival and before actually taking up work , nationals of EU/EFTA states
Spouses; children or grandchildren under 21 or financially dependent; dependent parents and grandparents (dependency before entry must be proven); adequate housing required; spouses and children admitted under family reunification may work regardless of nationality.
Who may apply for family members to join them and reside in Switzerland? Spouses Children or grandchildren who are under 21 years of age or who financially depend on the petitioner Parent(s) and grandparent(s), provided that they financially depend on the petitioner (they must prove that they were dependent on the petitioner before entering Switzerland). For students the entitlement to family reunification is limited to the spouse and children entitled to financial support. Under the terms of the AFMP, the right to family reunification is subject to the condition that housing be adequate to lodge the entire family.
Spouses and children of EU/EFTA nationals who are admitted to Switzerland under family reunification are legally entitled to work regardless of their nationality.
The B permit is valid for five years and can be extended. Under the cited agreements, EU-15/EFTA nationals with five continuous years of orderly residence can obtain a C settlement permit if the required conditions are met. That permit allows an unlimited stay, with status confirmation every five years. The official source states a regular ten-year settlement period for nationals of other EU states not covered by those agreements. The source expressly says that the free movement agreement does not cover permanent residence. The official source does not state the absence or retention rules.
izens holding a contract of employment of twelve months or unlimited duration and people who prove they are genuinely self-employed. Persons not in gainful employment are issued this permit if they can prove that they possess sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family and have taken out adequate accident and health insurance policies. The permit is valid for five years and can be extended. Students are issued this permit for one year and are granted yearly renewals until the completion of their studies, if they continue to fulfil the respective conditions. Type G EU/EFTA cross-border commuter permit: Employed or self-employed persons domiciled in an EU/EFTA state and working in Switzerland (place of work or company headquarters) may apply for
turn to their main domicile abroad at least once a week. Cross-border commuters holding an employment contract of less than one year’s duration are issued with a permit for the period of employment. In employment of twelve months or more, the permit is valid for five years. Cantonal immigration and labour market authorities Type C EU/EFTA settlement permit: Under agreements concluded with the respective states, nationals from an EU-15/EFTA state who have orderly resided in Switzerland for five continuous years are granted a settlement permit (C-permit) if they meet the required conditions. While holders of a settlement permit are entitled to stay for an unlimited period of time, their permanent residence status needs to be confirmed every five years. The free movement agreement does not cover permanent residence. No such agreements with the other EU-states are in force; nationals of states other than those mentioned above are granted a settle
, the permit is valid for five years. Cantonal immigration and labour market authorities Type C EU/EFTA settlement permit: Under agreements concluded with the respective states, nationals from an EU-15/EFTA state who have orderly resided in Switzerland for five continuous years are granted a settlement permit (C-permit) if they meet the required conditions. While holders of a settlement permit are entitled to stay for an unlimited period of time, their permanent residence status needs to be confirmed every five years. The free movement agreement does not cover permanent residence. No such agreements with the other EU-states are in force; nationals of states other than those mentioned above are granted a settlement permit after a regular period of ten years. Cross border commuters Who can apply for a cross-border commuter permit? Cross-border commuters are EU/EFTA nationals who are domiciled in an EU/EFTA state but who work in Switzer
y resided in Switzerland for five continuous years are granted a settlement permit (C-permit) if they meet the required conditions. While holders of a settlement permit are entitled to stay for an unlimited period of time, their permanent residence status needs to be confirmed every five years. The free movement agreement does not cover permanent residence. No such agreements with the other EU-states are in force; nationals of states other than those mentioned above are granted a settlement permit after a regular period of ten years. Cross border commuters Who can apply for a cross-border commuter permit? Cross-border commuters are EU/EFTA nationals who are domiciled in an EU/EFTA state but who work in Switzerland (either as employees or as self-employed persons with company headquarters in Switzerland). They are required to return to their main domicile abroad at least once a week. Cro
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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