Two systems: free movement or non-EU countries
The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons gives EU and EFTA citizens a right of residence linked to employment. Other nationalities come under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act, which is more restrictive and subject to quotas.
Assignments under three months: the notification procedure
An EU/EFTA national hired by a Swiss employer for up to three months per calendar year does not need a permit. The employer files an online notification before work begins, a common step for short seasons in Valais hotels.
The L permit for short-term contracts
The L permit covers a short-term stay, normally linked to a contract of more than three months and less than one year. Its validity follows that of the contract; it suits seasonal workers, replacements and limited temporary assignments.
The B permit for annual residence
With a contract of at least one year or an open-ended one, a European citizen receives a B permit valid for five years. For a non-EU national, the B permit is generally renewed every year by the cantonal migration office.
The C settlement permit
The C permit is granted after a regular, uninterrupted stay, often five years for nationals of many EU countries thanks to bilateral agreements, otherwise ten years. It removes the link to the employer and offers the greatest stability.
The G permit for cross-border commuters
The G permit is for people who live in a neighbouring country and return home at least once a week. It is very common in Geneva, Basel and Ticino; tax details are covered on our page on cross-border work in Switzerland.
2026 quotas for non-EU nationals
For 2026, the Federal Council kept 8500 permits for qualified workers from non-EU countries: 4500 B permits and 4000 L permits. The canton of Geneva therefore has 93 B permits and 149 L permits to allocate among its employers.
The special case of British nationals
Since Brexit, British citizens arriving from 2021 onwards fall under a separate quota of 3500 permits, namely 2100 B permits and 1400 L permits for 2026. Admission conditions are those for non-EU nationals, with qualification requirements and order of priority.
Three conditions for hiring from outside the EU
The employer must show that no suitable Swiss or European candidate was found, that the post requires a qualified profile, often a university graduate, and that the salary matches local practice. Salary levels in Switzerland serve as the benchmark.
The employer files the application
For a non-EU national, the company submits the application to the cantonal labour market authority, for example OCIRT in Geneva, and it is then approved by the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration). The candidate usually awaits the decision abroad before starting.
Students and graduates of Swiss universities
A foreign student may work part time under conditions explained on our page on student jobs in Switzerland. After graduating from a Swiss university or HES, a non-EU national can stay six months to look for a qualified job.
Changing job or canton with your permit
A European with a B permit can change employer and canton freely by registering their arrival. For a non-EU national, changing job or canton normally requires authorisation; see our page on jobs in Switzerland for foreign nationals.
Getting your work permit step by step
- Identify your system by nationality: EU/EFTA free movement, the British quota or admission as a non-EU national.
- Secure a signed employment contract stating duration, working percentage and salary, the key document for any type of permit.
- For a stay of under three months, check that the employer has filed the online notification before your first day.
- As a non-EU national, let the employer file the cantonal application with proof of its search and recognised diplomas.
- Register with your municipality of residence within the cantonal deadline, presenting passport, contract and photo for the residence permit.
- Take out LAMal health insurance within three months of arrival and keep your permit up to date at each renewal.
Costs and financial aspects of a Swiss permit
| Item | Order of magnitude | Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Fee for an L, B or G permit | Indicative amount set by each canton | Permit type, duration, canton of residence or work |
| Application for a non-EU national | Cantonal and federal fees paid by the employer or candidate | Canton, contractual agreement, fast-track procedure or not |
| LAMal health insurance | Indicative monthly premium, variable | Canton, premium region, deductible, insurance model |
| Diploma recognition | Fees vary with the competent authority | SEFRI (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation), Swiss Red Cross or MEBEKO depending on the profession |
| Housing on arrival | Highest rents in Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne | City, size of home, rent deposit |
Documents the cantonal migration office asks for
- Valid passport or identity card
- Signed employment contract or employer's certificate
- Passport photo in the format required by the canton
- Diplomas and, if needed, a recognition decision
- Proof of housing or Swiss lease
- LAMal health insurance certificate
- For non-EU nationals: CV, employer's proof of search and any visa
Mistakes that block or delay a permit
- Starting work before the notification or authorisation, which exposes both employee and employer to fines and jeopardises future applications.
- Believing a job promise is enough for a non-EU national, when the employer must prove no Swiss or European candidate was available.
- Missing the deadline to register with the municipality after arrival, which delays the residence permit and health insurance.
- Paying an intermediary who promises a guaranteed permit for a fee, a typical feature of fake job offers.
- Changing employer without authorisation while your non-EU permit is still tied to the original job.
Swiss work permits: questions people often ask
Can you come to Switzerland to look for a job without a contract?
An EU/EFTA national can stay in Switzerland to look for work for a limited period, with a specific permit beyond three months. A non-EU national generally cannot come to look for a job and must obtain an offer from abroad.
How long does it take to get a B permit?
For a European citizen with a contract, the time depends mainly on the cantonal office's workload, often a few weeks, and work can start after registering arrival. For a non-EU national, the double cantonal and federal approval generally takes longer.
Does a G permit allow you to live in Switzerland?
No. The G permit requires a main residence in a neighbouring country, with a return at least once a week. A cross-border worker who moves to Switzerland must apply for an L or B permit in the canton of their new residence.
Do the non-EU quotas often run out?
Not necessarily: according to the Federal Council, at the end of September 2025 the quotas for non-EU nationals were only 52% used. They remain allocated by canton, however, and some high-demand cantons can draw on the federal reserve.