Working in Switzerland
Depending on your country of origin and the duration of your work in Switzerland, you may need a residence permit and a work permit.
- You are a EU/EFTA citizen: You need a residence permit if you want to work in Switzerland for more than three months.
- You are not an EU/EFTA citizen: You need a residence permit and a work permit, and your employer must provide proof that no suitable workers could be recruited in Switzerland or in the EU/EFTA area.
- There are seperate arrangements for young people looking for an internship.
EU/EFTA citizens
You're an EU/EFTA citizen and are looking to work in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). You can find a list of all EU/EFTA member countries on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
Working for less than three months
You plan on working in Switzerland for less than three months.
- You don't need a residence permit.
- You need to provide the authorities of your place of residence in Switzerland with a valid ID or passport, and a document from your employer detailing the work you will be doing and the duration of your employment.
- Your employer has to register you on EasyGov, the online counter for businesses. The registration has to take place on the day before you begin working at the latest. You can find more information on notification procedure for short-time work on the website of the SEM.
Working for more than three months
You plan on working in Switzerland for more than three months.
- You need to request a permit of residence with the authorities of your place of residence in Switzerland. This request needs to be made before you start working. The Confederation offers a registry of adresses of administrative authorities on the federal, cantonal and communal level.
- You need to provide the authorities of your place of residence in Switzerland with a valid ID or passport, and proof of employment, for example your employment contract.
- Residence permits are valid for the whole of Switzerland and entitle you to change jobs and occupations. The period of validity of the permit depends on the duration of employment.
You can find more information on living and working in Switzerland as an EU/EFTA citizen on the website of the SEM.
If you do not have an employment in Switzerland yet, you may stay in the country without residence permit for up to three months. You can request a short-stay permit for EU/EFTA citizens for another three months if you can prove that you have the necessary
financial means to cover your stay in Switzerland.
Cross border commuters
You plan on working in Switzerland while living in a neighbouring country.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals
You are not an EU/EFTA citizen and want to work in Switzerland.
- You need to be considered qualified in order to work in Switzerland. This entails higher education, special training and several years of professional experience. Your employer has to prove that your admission is in the country's overall economic interest, and that no Swiss or EU/EFTA national is available for the envisaged job.
- You need a work permit, even for short-term employment. Your future employer will register you with the local authorities. The SEM lists the Cantonal immigration and employment market authorities.
- Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa.
The SEM offers more information for non-EU/EFTA nationals.
Young professionals, interns
Switzerland has concluded agreements on the exchange of young professionals with the following countries: Argentinia, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, San Marino, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the United States.
You are from one of the countries listed above, are between 18 to 35 years old (for a few countries on the list: between 20 and 30 years old), and have completed an apprenticeship or have graduated from university.
- You may apply for a work permit regardless of the state of the Swiss job market.
- Your employment may last for a maximum of 18 months and you may only work in the profession you have been trained in.
- Finding a trainee vacancy and organizing the necessery permits is your responsibility. The process will take multiple weeks.
The SEM offers more information for young professionals and elaborates on the application process for each country of origin.