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EU/EFTA L permit — employment from three to under twelve months

SwitzerlandFree movement

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which citizenship, status or regional agreement creates the person's right to move/reside?

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.

See recorded sources

Under which circumstances can the person reside: worker, self-employed, student, jobseeker, self-funded person or another recognised basis?

For EU/EFTA nationals, the official employment provision assigns a type L permit to employment of up to 364 days and a type B permit to employment of at least one year or an unlimited period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The lower duration boundary for requiring the type L permit remains unestablished.
  • SEM FAQ - Residence permits
    up work , 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. 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. The steps necessary for obtaining a residence permit may be taken after arriving in Switzerland. Learn more about customs clearance of your own household effects under the following link: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security I am an EU/EFTA national and would like to become self-employed in Switzerland. How do I proceed? EU/EFTA citizens are requi

What entry, registration or residence-document formalities remain?

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.

See recorded sources

Which non-member-country family members can accompany or join, and what broad rights do they receive?

Under the AFMP family reunification: spouses; children or grandchildren under 21 or dependent; dependent parents and grandparents; adequate housing required; spouses and children may work regardless of nationality.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Source does not tie the list specifically to L-permit holders.
  • https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta/eu-efta_buerger_schweiz/faq.html
    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.
  • https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta/eu-efta_buerger_schweiz/faq.html
    Spouses and children of EU/EFTA nationals who are admitted to Switzerland under family reunification are legally entitled to work regardless of their nationality.

When do permanent/long-term rights arise and what continuity, absence or retention conditions matter?

The free movement agreement does not cover permanent residence; under agreements with the respective states, EU-15/EFTA nationals qualify for settlement after five continuous years of orderly residence and others after ten years. Under the FNIA, short-stay periods count toward the ten years but the last five years must be on a residence permit, and the settlement permit expires after six months' departure without notice.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Sources do not address L-specific counting beyond FNIA Art. 34.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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