Draft. This text has not yet been reviewed.
Which permit you receive depends on your nationality, your work and how long you plan to stay. Ask about your permit when you register your arrival, and check the official sources below.
Citizens of EU and EFTA countries
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) describes four main permits:
- L permit (short-term): for an employment contract of less than twelve months. It is valid until the contract ends.
- B permit (residence): for a contract of twelve months or more, or of unlimited duration, and for genuinely self-employed people. People who do not work can also qualify if they have sufficient funds and adequate health and accident insurance. It is valid for five years and can be extended. Students receive it for one year at a time.
- C permit (settlement): for nationals of EU-15 and EFTA states after five continuous years in Switzerland. Nationals of other EU states generally need ten years. It allows an unlimited stay.
- G permit (cross-border commuter): for people who live in an EU or EFTA state, work in Switzerland and return home at least once a week.
If you lose your job or your contract ends, you do not automatically have to leave. SEM says you can generally stay for at least six months to look for work, but you must apply for a job-seeker permit with the cantonal migration authorities.
Citizens of the United Kingdom
Since 1 January 2021, UK citizens who come to Switzerland have been treated as citizens of a country outside the EU and EFTA.
- Arriving to work now: your employer applies for your work permit to the cantonal authority. Permits for UK citizens are limited by a separate annual quota: for 2026, 2,100 B permits and 1,400 L permits.
- Already living here before 2021: rights acquired under the free movement agreement up to 31 December 2020 are protected by an agreement between Switzerland and the UK. Permits issued on that basis are marked “in accordance with the CH-UK agreement of 25.02.2020”.
Citizens of other countries
For citizens of other countries outside the EU and EFTA, admission to work is limited and depends on qualifications, the job and annual quotas. Your employer normally applies for the permit. Check the SEM pages for your situation and ask when you register.
Related guides
- Registering your arrival
- Taxes: your permit affects how you are taxed.
Official sources
- UK citizens: working in Switzerland and acquired rights (SEM)
- Free movement of persons: questions and answers (SEM)
- Working in Switzerland (SEM)
Last checked: 12 November 2026. This is general information only. Please check the official sources above before you act.