How Can I Relocate to Switzerland and What Help is Available?

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Publication 19 April 2022


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Non-Swiss nationals are allowed to stay in Switzerland as tourists, without registration, for up to three months. After three months, anyone planning to stay in Switzerland must obtain a work and/or residence permit, and formally register with the Swiss authorities.

How can I Become a Legal Swiss Resident?
There are two alternative routes to become a Swiss resident:

By working in Switzerland
By not working in Switzerland and/or by being retired
The ‘Normal System of Taxation’
The ‘Lump Sum System of Taxation’
Working in Switzerland
The acquisition of a Swiss work permit allows a non-Swiss national to become a Swiss resident.

There are three ways to be entitled to work in Switzerland:

Being hired by an existing Swiss company.
Forming a Swiss company and become a director or an employee of the company.
Investing in a Swiss company and become a director or an employee of the company.
When applying to work in Switzerland and/or for residence permits, luxembourg mobile database different regulations apply to EU/EFTA nationals, compared to nationals of other countries.

It is a straightforward process for EU/EFTA citizens as they enjoy priority access to the labour market in Switzerland.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals can work in Switzerland as long as they are appropriately qualified, for example managers or specialists and/or with higher education qualifications.
An alternative route is for non-Swiss nationals to form a Swiss company and obtain a residence permit in Switzerland. Relevant individuals must be employed by the company that they establish in Switzerland.

Non-EU/EFTA businesses need to create jobs and business opportunities in Switzerland. The precise number and nature varies depending on the particular canton in which the business is located.