Moving Services in Switzerland

Permission to move to or to come to Switzerland must be granted by the Swiss government. This permission has become practically automatic for most residents of the European Union, but it has become harder for non European Union citizens. If someone is from a country that is a part of the European Union, then he or she in theory has the complete right to come to Switzerland and set up shop or engage in work.

 

Those from other countries, on the other hand, will have much more trouble getting permission to work in Switzerland, especially if it could be claimed that this would be taking a job away from a European national. Exceptions must therefore demonstrate that there is no suitable candidate in Europe with the same special skills.

 

Types of available visas for Switzerland include the short term visa, good for one year and renewable, and the work visa, also good for a year. In addition to this there is the permanent immigrant visa which is indefinite. For non Europeans this visa requires 10 years of residency within Switzerland. There are also people who live in neighboring countries where it is cheaper, but who commute to Switzerland for work. These workers can get border crossing visas.

See our guides

• Moving to Switzerland