Working under free movement: EU and EFTA citizens
For foreigners, access to work in Switzerland depends first on nationality. EU and EFTA citizens benefit from free movement and can take a job under a Swiss contract, while nationals of third countries are admitted only as qualified specialists within annual quotas set by the government. The cantonal population office issues the permit that matches the contract length.
An Italian, Portuguese or German citizen can take a job with a Swiss contract. The cantonal population office issues an L permit for a contract of less than one year, and a B permit for longer or open-ended employment.
Assignments of less than three months
An EU/EFTA national hired for no more than 90 days per calendar year needs no permit: the employer completes an online notification before work begins. This mainly concerns temporary staffing, the Basel trade fairs and seasonal reinforcements.
Third-country nationals: limited access
A Moroccan, Brazilian or Indian citizen only obtains authorisation as a manager, specialist or qualified worker, usually with a university-level degree. The employer must prove that no suitable Swiss or European candidate was found, then file the application with the canton.
The quotas set for 2026
The Federal Council has renewed a maximum of 8 500 permits for third countries in 2026: 4 500 B permits and 4 000 L permits. By end 2024 only 74% were used. Geneva, for example, has 93 B units and 149 L units.
British citizens since Brexit
British nationals who arrived after 2020 no longer benefit from free movement. A separate quota of 3 500 permits is reserved for them in 2026, including 2 100 B permits and 1 400 L permits, with admission conditions close to those for third countries.
Checks on pay and customary conditions
For a third-country national, the cantonal authority checks that the proposed salary matches the customary rates for the region and industry. In Geneva, the foreign labour unit of OCIRT reviews these files. Undervalued pay leads to a refusal.
Getting a foreign diploma recognised
Regulated professions require recognition: SEFRI for many technical and commercial trades, CDIP for teachers, the Swiss Red Cross for several health professions and MEBEKO for doctors and pharmacists. See our page on training and diploma recognition for details.
Fields where foreign specialists stand a chance
In practice, third-country permits often go to IT, engineering, pharmaceutical research and finance. An experienced cloud engineer hired by a Zurich group has far better prospects than an unqualified profile, for whom admission is practically ruled out.
Choosing a canton by language
Switzerland has four national languages. Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura work in French, Zurich and Basel in German and Ticino in Italian, while Fribourg and Valais are bilingual. A customer-facing job almost always requires the local language.
Family, housing and health insurance
A B permit holder can in principle bring a spouse and minor children, provided there is suitable housing and sufficient income. Each family member must join a LAMal health insurance fund within three months of arriving in Switzerland.
Losing your job on a foreign permit
A foreign employee who has contributed for at least twelve months in the past two years can register with the ORP and receive benefits. Permit renewal may however be reviewed. Our page on unemployment and job seeking explains the steps with the fund.
Towards the C permit and settlement
After five or ten years of residence depending on nationality, and with sufficient integration, especially in language, the C settlement permit can be requested. It lifts most restrictions. Conditions for residence and work permits should be checked with the canton.
Steps to work in Switzerland from abroad
- Check your category, EU/EFTA, United Kingdom or third country, because rights, quotas and timelines differ greatly.
- Have your diploma recognised by SEFRI, the Swiss Red Cross, CDIP or MEBEKO if your profession is regulated.
- Write a Swiss-format CV with a photo, nationality, the permit type you are seeking, languages and contactable references.
- Gather your employment references, translated into French, German or Italian depending on the target canton.
- For a third country, let the employer file the permit application with the competent cantonal office before you start any work.
- Register your arrival with the municipality within fourteen days and join a LAMal health insurance fund within three months.
Relocation costs and pay benchmarks for foreigners
| Expense | Order of magnitude | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Fee for an L or B permit | Cantonal fee, indicative | Canton, duration and type of permit |
| Diploma recognition | Fee set by the competent authority | SEFRI, Swiss Red Cross, MEBEKO or CDIP |
| DELF, Goethe or TOEFL language certificate | Exam fees depending on the centre | Target level and country where taken |
| LAMal health insurance | Monthly premium per adult | Canton, deductible and insurance model |
| Rental deposit | Up to three months' rent | City, with Geneva and Zurich among the most expensive |
| Geneva minimum wage 2026 | 24.59 CHF per hour | Applies regardless of nationality |
Documents to prepare according to your nationality
- Valid passport or ID card, with a D visa for third-country nationals who need one
- Signed employment contract or job offer stating salary and duration
- Swiss-style CV with photo and a targeted cover letter
- Employment references from your former employers
- Translated diplomas and a recognition decision for regulated professions
- Recent criminal record extract for certain sectors and cantons
- DELF, DALF, Goethe or TOEFL language certificate depending on the canton
- Proof of housing for family reunification
Mistakes that derail a move to Switzerland
- Coming to Switzerland as a tourist on a third-country passport hoping to find an employer locally and regularise your situation later.
- Starting work before the cantonal permit has been issued, which exposes both employee and employer to penalties.
- Sending a foreign-format CV without a photo, without employment references and without stating the permit you hold or are seeking.
- Paying a so-called recruiter who promises a guaranteed permit or contract for a fee; legitimate job offers cost the candidate nothing.
- Applying in Zurich or Lugano without German or Italian for a job requiring daily contact with local customers.
Questions from foreign job seekers in Switzerland
The first weeks at work after moving to Switzerland as a foreign employee
Arriving is only half the task. Once the contract is signed and the permit is in order, daily life brings its own demands, and newcomers who prepare for them settle faster. Start with the practical items: a bank account for the salary, a mobile subscription, a public transport pass and a place to live that fits the commute.
At the workplace, expect a more reserved style than in many countries. Colleagues are polite and direct, meetings start on time, and decisions are often reached by discussion before anyone commits. Do not take silence for disapproval. Ask questions early, confirm instructions in writing and learn how the team shares information.
Language and integration
Even where English is common in the office, the local language opens doors in the corridor, at lunch and in the neighbourhood. Plan regular lessons from the first month. Employers notice the effort, and it counts later when you apply to extend the stay or to obtain a more stable status.
Join an association, a sports club or a language exchange. These networks help you find a flat, understand local customs and hear about openings that are never advertised. Keep copies of the contract, payslips and insurance papers in an organised folder, since offices may ask for them.
Finally, be clear about the probation period and ask when the first review will take place. It is a good moment to raise questions about training and responsibilities.
Can a third-country national look for a job from within Switzerland?
A tourist stay allows you to meet employers but not to work. If an offer materialises, the employer files the application and the candidate normally waits for the decision abroad. Foreign graduates of a Swiss university, however, have six months to look for a job.
How long does a permit for a third-country national take?
Timing depends on the canton, the completeness of the file and approval by SEM (State Secretariat for Migration), which follows the cantonal decision. Expect several weeks, sometimes longer, plus the embassy visa procedure. Employers used to international hiring build these delays into their planning.
Is a B permit tied to a specific employer?
For EU/EFTA nationals, the B permit is not tied to a particular employer. For a third-country national, changing job or canton may require a new authorisation. Before resigning, it is wise to consult the cantonal population or migration office.
Do you need to speak a national language to be hired?
In multinationals in Geneva, Basel or Zurich, English is sometimes enough at first. For most jobs, and to obtain settlement later, knowledge of a national language is still expected. A DELF, Goethe or CILS certificate reassures both employers and the migration authority.