SwitzerlandStarting a business
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals who want to work in Switzerland on a self-employed basis.
Individuals from non-EU/EFTA states may work in Switzerland on a self-employed basis.
A business plan (planned activities, market analysis, workforce development and recruitment options, planned investments, turnover and profit forecasts), organisational ties with other businesses, articles of association and a commercial register extract.
These documents must include a business plan, setting out planned activities, an analysis of the market, how the workforce will develop (in both quantitative and qualitative terms) and recruitment options, as well as planned investments and forecasts for turnover and profit. Finally, organisational ties with other businesses must also be stated, and the memorandum and articles of association and the extract from the commercial register must be submitted along with the application.
No investment minimum stated. Admission requires that it is in the interests of the economy as a whole, the necessary financial and operational requirements are fulfilled, and the person has an adequate and independent source of income; they must show a lasting positive impact on the Swiss labour market.
Foreign nationals may be admitted to work on a self-employed basis if: a. this is in the interests of the economy as a whole; b. the necessary financial and operational requirements are fulfilled; c. 34 they have an adequate and independent source of income; and
However, admission is conditional upon a review of labour market conditions, as set out in Art. 19 FNIA and, in addition to satisfying the personal and other requirements, the person must demonstrate that self-employment will have a lasting positive impact on the Swiss labour market (overall economic interest).
Holders admitted as self-employed on a residence permit may work anywhere in Switzerland; spouse and children of a residence or settlement permit holder may work employed or self-employed anywhere in Switzerland.
Persons with a residence permit who are admitted in order to be self-employed or to engage in salaried employment may work anywhere in Switzerland.
The spouse and children of a Swiss national or of a person with a settlement permit or a residence permit (Art. 42–44) may work on a salaried or self-employed basis anywhere in Switzerland.
The self-employed person takes the steps to obtain the permit from the cantonal authorities; permits are granted by the cantons, with the Confederation responsible for quotas and the approval procedure. On arrival, the person must register with the commune within 14 days. The official source does not state the duration, renewal or longer-term residence direction.
However, if you are self-employed it is up to you to take the necessary steps.
The permits in terms of Articles 32–35 and 37–39 are granted by the cantons. The Confederation remains responsible for quotas (Art. 20) as well as for derogations from the admission requirements (Art. 30) and for the approval procedure (Art. 99).
On arrival in Switzerland, you must register with the communal authorities in the place where you are living within 14 days.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.