EU/EFTA B permit — self-employment

I am an EU/EFTA national and would like to become self-employed in Switzerland. How do I proceed?

This permit is issued to EU/EFTA citizens holding a contract of employment of twelve months or unlimited duration and people who prove they are genuinely self-employed.

They must present a valid identity card (or passport) and documents proving that they are or will be engaged in a self-employed activity and able to support themselves and their family members. The self-employed activity may not begin until the documents required by the competent cantonal authorities have been submitted.

documents proving that you are or will be self-employed and can support yourself and your family (e.g. your accounting records).

entitles the holder to change jobs or take up self-employment (professional mobility). Holders of these types of permits are subject to the same regulations on health and employment as Swiss nationals (i.e. trade laws, permits to carry out an occupation, etc.). However, holders of such permits are not allowed to take up positions that involve sovereign functions (e.g. in the army, police or judiciary).

Citizens of EU/EFTA member states who work in a self-employed capacity in Switzerland may keep their EU/EFTA residence permit when changing to a salaried employment.

Spouses and children of EU/EFTA nationals who are admitted to Switzerland under family reunification are legally entitled to work regardless of their nationality.

EU/EFTA citizens are required to register within 14 days of arrival at the latest with the local authorities of the commune in which they are residing and apply for a residence permit.

The residence permit is valid for five years and can be renewed for five years if the foreign national satisfies the requirements.

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.