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Residence permit in Switzerland: types of permits and how to obtain them

  • Dari Podhur
    Counsel
    18.07.2022 ----> revised 07.08.2024 | Knowledgebase
Residence permits are important documents that are required in some countries to allow a foreign national to reside in said country for a fixed or indefinite length of time. In Switzerland, a foreign national is required to apply for a residence permit to be allowed to reside in the country for a period longer than 90 days which is three months.
For certain types of residence permits, particularly those involving family offices, company control, or relocation of business interests, the structure of a Swiss Holding Company may also play a decisive role in residency planning and tax optimization.
There are multiple types of residence permits allowed in Switzerland for foreign nationals with each one differing from the other based on the purpose and duration of stay. These permits generally come with different conditions, requirements, and rules based on the foreign national's nationality.
These rules are much more restrictive to non-EU/EFTA citizens than they are to EU/EFTA citizens. We'd be looking at the different types of permits and how to obtain them.
Table of Contents:

1. EU/EFTA countries: a brief description.
2. Types of residence permits for EU/EFTA citizens.
3. Types of residence permits for non-EU/EFTA citizens.
4. How to get a Swiss residence permit and all related information:

Conclusion

EU/EFTA countries: a brief description

The agreement that simplifies the living and working conditions of EU/EFTA citizens in Switzerland has been in effect since June 1, 2002. This Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FMPA; SR 142.112.681), allows nationals of EU/EFTA member states to enter Switzerland, reside, and take on employment there.
The EU refers to the 27 European countries in the European Union except for the United Kingdom. These are:
● Austria
● Belgium
● Bulgaria
● Croatia
● Cyprus
● Czech Republic
● Denmark
● Estonia
● Finland
● France
● Germany
● Greece
● Hungary
● Ireland
● Italy
● Latvia
● Lithuania
● Luxembourg
● Malta
● Netherlands
● Poland
● Portugal
● Romania
● Slovakia
● Slovenia
● Spain
● Sweden

The EFTA (European Free Trade Association) consists of the following four countries:

● Iceland ● Norway ● Liechtenstein ● Switzerland

Types of residence permits for EU/EFTA citizens

Residence Permit in Switzerland

Types of residence permits for non-EU/EFTA citizens

These are the Switzerland residence permits available to non-EU/EFTA foreign nationals:
  • B permit
    Residence permit
  • C permit
    Settlement permit
  • Ci permit
    Residence permit with gainful employment
  • G permit
    Cross-border commuter permit)
  • L permit
    Short-stay permit
  • F permit
    For temporarily admitted foreigners
  • N permit
    For asylum seekers
  • S permit
    Provisional status for persons in need of protection

How to get a Swiss residence permit and all related information

EU/EFTA Citizens:

● All EU/EFTA citizens who wish to apply for residence permits can do so by registering with the Residents Registry Office in their Swiss Canton.
● All applicants must apply for a permit within fourteen days of arrival in Switzerland.
● Residence permit doubles as a Work permit for employed Residents.

Requirements:

● Residents would need to display that they are financially capable of supporting themselves while in Switzerland.
● Residents must have very good health and accident insurance.
● If the resident is a student, proof of admission to a recognized institution is required.
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Residence permits for nationals of EU and EFTA

  • EU/EFTA L permit (Short Term Residents)

    Who This Concerns: The L permit concerns Job seekers or employees. It provides its holder with the opportunity to reside in Switzerland for a limited period (usually less than 12 months).

    Time Restraints: Foreign nationals in possession of an employment contract with a validity ranging from three to twelve months are qualified for this permit.
    If the employment contract has a duration of fewer than three months within a calendar year, a permit isn't issued. Instead, an online procedure is sufficient.

    Validity: This permit's validity is in sync with the terms of an employment contract.

    Extensions: The total period in which this permit can be extended is less than twelve months.
    1

  • EU/EFTA B permit (Resident Foreign Nationals)

    Who This Concerns: The B permit concerns foreign nationals. It provides its holder with the opportunity to reside in Switzerland for a longer period for certain purposes. These purposes can be related to gainful employment or not.
    Foreign Nationals without gainful employment can receive a B permit if they can show that they are financially capable of supporting themselves during their stay in Switzerland.

    Time Restraints: Foreign nationals in possession of employment contracts of at least twelve months and at most an unlimited duration are qualified for this permit.

    Validity: This permit is valid for five years.

    Extensions: The permit can be renewed for an additional five years if its holder satisfies the requirements.
    If the holder of the permit has been unemployed for up to twelve consecutive months, the renewal of the permit can be limited to a year.
    2

  • EU/EFTA C permit (Settled Foreign Nationals)

    Who This Concerns: The C permit concerns foreign nationals who have spent at least 5 years of regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland.
    It gives its holder with the right to settle in Switzerland without any time restrictions or conditions.

    Time Restraints: There are no time restraints for the C permits.

    Validity: There are no validity restraints for the C permits.

    Extensions: There are no extensions for the C permits.
    3

  • EU/EFTA Ci permit (Resident Foreign Nationals With Gainful Employment)

    Who This Concerns: The Ci permit concerns foreign representations and family members of intergovernmental organizations, including spouses and children up to 25 years of age.

    Time Restraints: There are no time restraints for this permit.

    Validity: This permit's validity is in sync with the duration of the main holder's job or function.
    Extensions: This permit cannot be extended.
    4

  • EU/EFTA G permit (Cross-border Commuters)

    Who This Concerns: The L permit concerns foreign nationals who reside outside Switzerland (in any EU/EFTA member state) and work in Switzerland, either in a self-employed or employed capacity.

    Time Restraints: Foreign nationals possessing the cross-border permit must return to their main place of residence at least once a week.

    Validity: If the holder has fixed-term employment valid for more than one year, the permit is valid for five years. The validity is the same in the case of a permanent employment contract.
    In the case of a fixed-term employment contract being valid for less than a year, but more than three months, the permit's validity is in sync with the duration of the contract.
    If the employment contract is less than three months, there would be no need for a work permit.
    5

Residence permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals

  • B permit (residence permit)

    Who This Concerns: Every non-EU/EFTA citizen immigrating.

    Restraints: It is impossible for this permit to exceed one year the first time it is issued.
    This permit comes with a number limitation, which makes it subject to quotas.
    The permit has limitations on where its holder can live.

    Validity: This permit's validity expires annually. This is only subject to change in the existence of conflicting grounds, such as dependency on social welfare.

    These permits, like the B permit, also influence taxation. For a clearer understanding of how residence status affects business or personal taxation, see the full Swiss Tax System Overview, which provides useful insights for both individuals and companies.

  • C permit (settlement permit)

    Who This Concerns: The C permit concerns foreign nationals who have lived in Switzerland for 10 uninterrupted years. Foreign nationals from US or Canada are eligible for this permit after five years of uninterrupted residence.
    It provides its holder with the right to settle in Switzerland without any time restrictions or conditions.

    Restraints: None

    Merit: This permit holder can change employers freely and live in any canton.
    Taxes also wouldn't be levied at their source anymore.

    This level of permanent residence often intersects with broader bilateral tax frameworks, such as the Switzerland–Germany Tax Treaty, which can influence obligations and exemptions for cross-border residents and income.

  • Ci permit (residence permit with gainful employment)

    Who This Concerns: The Ci permit concerns foreign representations and family members of intergovernmental organizations, including spouses and children up to 25years of age.

    In some cases, individuals holding this permit may also serve in appointed positions within Swiss companies. In such situations, appointing a compliant Swiss Resident and Nominee Director becomes essential for meeting regulatory requirements regarding local representation.

    Time Restraints: There are no time restraints for this permit.

    Validity: This permit's validity is in sync with the duration of the main holder's job or function.

    Extensions: This permit cannot be extended.

  • G permit (cross-border commuter permit)

    Who This Concerns: The G permit concerns foreign nationals who reside in foreign border zones and are employed (gainfully) within Switzerland's neighboring border zone.
    Border Zones are regions that are fixed in cross-border commuter treaties concluded between Switzerland and its neighboring countries.

    Requirements: This permit can only be issued to foreign nationals who have a permanent residence permit in a neighboring country.
    The foreign national also needs to have had their residence in the neighboring country's border zone for a minimum of six months.

    Restraints: The holder of this permit would require permission to change jobs or occupations.

    Validity: This permit is usually valid for just one year.

  • L permit (short-stay permit)

    Who This Concerns: The L permit concerns Foreign nationals working in Switzerland for a typical duration of a year.
    If the employment contract has a duration of fewer than three months within a calendar year, a permit isn't issued, instead, an online procedure is sufficient.

    Validity: This permit's validity is in sync with the terms of an employment contract.

    Extensions: Though this only happens in exceptional cases, it can be extended up to 24 months if the holder of the permit works for the same employer.

  • F permit (for temporarily admitted foreigners)

    Who This Concerns: The F permit concerns foreign nationals who have been called to leave Switzerland and return to their native countries but in whose cases enforcement has proved to violate international law, a genuine risk to the foreign national concerned, or impossible
    The permit is granted as a temporary measure.

    Restraints: In the case where a holder of this permit applies for a residence permit, the procedure wouldn't be treated like a normal one, instead, it'll be governed by a specific Article of the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act.
    Employers must notify the cantonal authority when employment begins and comes to an end.

    Validity: This permit's validity is usually for twelve months.

    Extensions: The permit can be extended by up to twelve months at a time.

  • N permit (for asylum seekers)

    Who This Concerns: The N permit concerns foreign nationals whose request for asylum is being processed.
    This residence permit is issued to the foreign nation pending the result of the request for asylum.

    Validity: Till the result of the plea for asylum is ready.

  • S permit (provisional status for persons in need of protection)

    Who This Concerns: The S permit concerns foreign nationals needing of protection.

    Restraints: Permission is required for any employment or change of job.
    The permit must be submitted to the cantonal authority two weeks before its validity expires without their request. The cantonal authority must also be notified of any change of address within eight days of its happening.

    Validity: The duration of this permit's validity does not entail any right of residence.

    Extensions: The total period in which this permit can be extended is less than twelve months.

Conclusion

There are multiple types of residence permits available in Switzerland for foreign nationals, each attainable by a specific group of people. However, it is much easier for an EU/EFTA citizen to qualify for one. It is also important to note that dual citizenship is not allowed in Switzerland. When applying for residence under specific categories, it’s also useful to understand broader legal topics such as personal rights and restrictions — for example, firearm ownership, which is governed by the Gun Laws in Switzerland and may vary based on your residency status.
With the information in this article, any person should be able to identify which of the residence permits in Switzerland they qualify for.
Sources:

  1. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt.html
  2. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/eu_efta.html
  3. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/nicht_eu_efta.html

Legal disclaimer. This article does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The article should be used for informational purposes only.

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