Is there anywhere - official or otherwise that gives a full, definitive list of the benefits of having a C permit?

I have scoured Govt sites and forum on here and other searches but have yet to find an authoritative and full list of benefits compared with B permit (non working,EU) and differences from Swiss Nationality.

There are many partial lists (and rumours) covering taxation 'advantages' , reduced rates for car insurance, voting in commune, mobility to move Cantons, absence from Switzerland, ability to purchase additional property, even right to purchase firearms, etc etc.

With respect to anyone wanting to respond, please don't add or comment on individual aspects - this forum is full of them and elsewhere. I am really searching for a comprehensive list.

There is no list such as the one you are after, since other than the general federal rights attached to the permit, the other ones are very much cantonal and communal (not to mention the "insurance" myth that is nationality related). I don't think any authority is going to bother going to each and every commune and compile such a list.

Hi

I have just one question around C Permit advantages. I am told that a C Permit is not linked to Employment like the B Permit and basically gives unlimited right to stay in Switzerland. Is this correct.

Cheers

my car insurance was reduced when changing from a B to C permit - UK national

Both you and your car were older as well which will also have an effect on your auto insurance. Did your insurance carrier specifically say your rates were being reduced because of your permit status..? I never noticed any such change in mine when I went from B to C but then again I was married to a pass holding Swiss at the time.

Yes, it was at last years renewal time.. i called them to inform of the c permit as heard it may affect insurance and they reduced the premium instantly.

yes but not sure about unlimited right to stay in Switzerland; it has to be renewed every 5 years (I think 5) so I guess there are grounds they could use to refuse renewal.

Any idea what can be the ground to reject the renewal. Its definitely not linked to Employment right ? As with a B if you get fired these is only a limited time you can stay here. Is that the case with C as well.

What does your permit say? Mine says full geographical and professional mobility within Switzerland - i.e. not linked to an employer, not linked to a Gemeinde or Cantron.

No list that I have seen.

With a 'C' permit you are considered to permanently live here and can do everything a Swiss does except, join the army and vote in national elections.

It's not unlimited as C permit is renewed every 5 years. However, for as long as it's valid you can move around Switzerland without problems as it's not linked to a specific employer as a B permit is. So if you get a C permit in November this year it would be valid for the whole of Switzerland until November 2016 I think. Mine was renewed in 2008 and runs until 2013. So long as you are still in employment in Switzerland you can renew it again for another 5 years when the current one runs out. If you become unemployed it will still be valid until it runs out although if you haven't got a new job by that time you probably wouldn't be able to renew it.

If you want to get involved in the voting side of things, so long as you have lived in the same commune for 5 years you can also vote - at least in Fribourg canton that's the case.

And when you retire? Anybody?

I'm pretty sure that's not the case. I think the only main ways to lose it are to commit criminal acts or leave voluntarily for more than the allowed period. I'm pretty sure employment does not come into it (I renewed mine from C to C in Zurich this year and was not asked for proof of employment).

I think, so long as you can prove to the relevant authorities that you can support yourself/family you should still be able to renew. After all, that's what your pensions/savings are for. If they think you have an adequate income from whatever sources it probably will be okay.

There are plenty of people who have retired here with a C-permit.

I think the trick is that they have made sufficient contributions to AHV etc in the course of their working lives, or otherwise that they are able to prove that they have sufficient means to survive without having to ask for help or support.

That could be the case, jaudi. Might be the Swiss are being easier about these things now.

I think so - I assume income could also be unemployment payments or "social" payments.

I think you have to perform some sort of "very bad" act to not get renewed - I do not believe passive acts (like being unemployed) will stop renewal. Such bad acts will probably get you deported anyway....

Just renewed my C and all they wanted was my old permit, passport, and 35 francs. No questions about my finances or work (and I'm self employed); no requirement to show an extrait du registre des poursuites (forgot what that is in German) or anything. I think you really have to do some serious criminal activity to have it denied.

Going from B to C is more complicated.

I read this in the some Federal law, gotta find the link again. The Settlement Permit is always renewed unless you get in trouble with the law, present a security threat to Switzerland or unless you are "very dependent" on social help for a significant amount of time. If you have lived in Switzerland for 15 years though, the social help clause no longer applies.

Correct. C permit holders are entitled to social benefits, such as AHV, EL and IV as any Swiss citizen.