Yes, you can indeed.

Shorick, thanks for this thread, its very useful but can I ask for an elaboration.

My partner is working for an international organisation. She has a contract and should have her official work permit soon. I have worked for the UN before but am now going to go on a consultancy basis so I can manage my own time. Am I right in thinking that I can apply for residency without problem? If so, under what terms do I apply with the authorities?

What are the implications in terms of taxation, health insurance, etc?

Thanks for this.
JGK

You'll need to provide a bit more info - nationality, nature of relationship (married, registered partnership), partner's permit type......

As swissbob said this cannot be answered unless you are more forthcoming in terms of personal details.

Thanks Swissbob and Shorrrock Mk2 (I dread to ask to what happend to Mark 1) I'll give as much details as I can.

I am a UK national with a full UK passport previously living in Italy.
My partner is Italian with Italian passport. We are not married nor 'legally' joined (ie no pax) but we've been together 7 years.
She has full-time contract here in Geneva with Medicins Sans Frontiers. She has a work permit connected to this contract.
Her residence permit is in process and her office cannot unfortunately tell her what kind will be issued (is that normal) I imagine it will be a temporary one for the year.
I use to work for the UN but now considering doing occasional consultancies.
That is about as much as I know at the moment.

Then I would like to get residency - but what kind and how - and then the issues of tax, health insurance would arise.

Thanks for your help on this. I hope its enough info, if not I'll gladly go and find more.
Best
BK!

Since you are an EU national the status of your partner is pretty much irrelevant (but she should get an EU permit as well. Note the MSF is not an IO in the generally accepted sense of the term).

You can therefore freely set yourself up as an independent (see brilliant thread by Richard for more info on this) and enjoy consultancy work.

Health insurance - you will have to get insured by a Swiss company.

Which is pretty much repeating what the sticky says...

I wrote to the bmf as I was getting so confused and here's their reply, which may help someone else :

"Dear Madam,

The most reliable information for your case are available here : http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/...llte.0021.html

http://www.bfm.admin.ch/etc/medialib...eet_EUEFTA.pdf

- If you intend to work in Switzerland you need to show to the cantonal authorities an employment offer and your passport. You will receive a residence permit valid for the duration of your contract. No work permit is necessary for English citizen any more that means that your employer does not need to apply for a permit for you. You have to do all the formalities by yourself. Proper insurance cover is also required.

- People who would like to reside in Switzerland permanently without pursuing any gainful oc-cupation will be entitled to take up residence provided they are in possession of the following, both for themselves and their dependants:
* sufficient financial resources to ensure that they will not become a burden on the host country during the time of their residence,
* a health and accident insurance policy which covers all the risks.
People who satisfy the above requirements will be granted a five-year residence permit that is valid throughout Switzerland.

- Job seekers are entitled to live in Switzerland for a period of 3 months without needing a permit. If the job search takes longer, they are granted a short term permit L EC/EFTA for another 3 months. They have no access to social security payments. Their permit can be extended for a limited time, provided they are in a position to furnish evidence of job-searching efforts, and provided they have realistic employment prospects.

We hope to have helped you in this matter. "

Pretty much substantiates what Shorrick has advised !

I also checked up on medical insurance and was told that you must get it within 3 months of obtaining a contract.

Sorry, ir's the bfm not bmf !!!

It seems that it is really difficult to get working permit approved for EU-8 citizen?
Do you have any experiences, how long the process can take?
Thanks!

Anywhere between one and three months.

My B-permit (for an EU-17 citizen) was issued after 29 days of my civil registration with the cantonal authorities, for a cost of 65 CHF (cash). Very fast and efficient.

Yes, for EU-17 the simplified procedure exists, but not for EU-8

What exactly does the underlined part mean? I am an EU17 citizen, if I can show that a non-EU company pays me a monthly salary, can I legally reside in switzerland and work from home?

Yes if you organise yourself in such a way that taxes and social security are taken care of (do a search within this forum on sole trader, Gmbh and read the relevant threads). Merely being paid from abroad does not suffice.

Dear Swissites
Aparently contrary to what Ive read here. It should not be assumed that A professional EU citizen will find it simple to get a B permit in Switzerland. My Italian partner( lived together for 8 years) and I( a Brit citizen) applied together three months ago. A company did not apply on our behalf be- cause we both intended to continue working in Italy where we both consult, but to live near Lugano.
I work for my own company in Italy and he is an employee in Italy. We handed all our docs in and have waited three months. His eventually arrived last week, mine not, although the house contract and deposit etc is on my name. I assumed since I have my own business, I would give them tax records, invoices and bank records to prove my ability to support myself.I did, They asked for more. Still waiting, they were far from efficent, and we are very stressed and in limbo as I can't apply for phone internet etc for my business till I have it.
Perhaps Shorick or someone else who knows could answer, is this normal proceedure, that with a couple they give one EU partner a B permit and not the another?sstill hoping

Sorry left out the legislation that was quoted on here for my previous question



Entry regulations for citizens of EU countries (Bilateral Agreement on the Freedom of Movement of Persons)

Individuals with and without gainful employment who hold an EU passport are entitled to an entry, residence and work permit provided they carry health insurance and have at their disposal the financial means to take care of their living expenses. As far as choosing a job and place of residence are concerned, these individuals are equal to Swiss citizens.
s a consequence of the Agreement on the Freedom of Movement binational couples have a right of living together either in Switzerland or in any given EU country] without having to marry for reasons pertaining to rights of residence.

Based on the agreement on subsequent immigration of family dependents nationals of EU countries may bring spouses, children and parents into Switzerland as long as they are able and willing to pay for their living expenses. authorisation. Cantonal Authorities are vested with the power to grant pertinent residence permits.
As of January 1, 2005 the homepage of the Swiss Federal Office for Migration, BFM, will provide information on the categories of residence permits available to EU citizens and on how to obtain such permits:

The answer is in the bold text...

Sorry I don't mean to be thick but what do you mean by this.> I have received regular monthly salary payments into my bank account,( which they have) I have also shown them my bank account in CH which has approx 6 months salary in it? are you saying being an employee is the only option?. The text above states that is not necessary to be employed as an EU cit. Any input you can give will be appreciated. D

Maybe you did not read the text above properly or in full.

If you are not employed nor independent in Switzerland your only choice is living off a pension, without gainful employment. Being an independent in Italy while residing in Switzerland is not covered by the provisions of the agreement on free movement of persons.

Considering your circumstances you need to set yourself up as an independent in Switzerland in order to qualify under the provisions of the agreement.

You should also really read the forum throroughly (as this has been covered before in detail) before writing alarmist postings.