Hi
My question is fairly basic and I have done some searching on the internet for this.

I am an Irish citizen (EU citizen) and my company which is based in the UK wants to send me to Switzerland for a long-term assignment at a client site (>1 year, 2 to 3 yrs probably).

My understanding is that I will need to register and apply for a B permit after arriving in Switzerland but before I actually start working.

My questions:
1. Do I have to perform this registration and application for B-permit at least 14 days before starting work? (This seemd to be the information I gathered from site)

2. How long does it take to get the B-permit? Also, is it possible to commence work before the B-permit is obtained?

3. Does my company need to apply on my behalf or can I do this as an individual? I presume that I would need certain documents from them.

4. If my wife wants to accompany me (she is also an Irish citizen), does she also have to apply for a B-permit? We also have a 3.5 yr old son who is also an Irish citizen. Is there any registration needed for him?

thanks in advance

anyone to help here please?

Hi,
Im in the process of finding a permit to move to suisse, from uk, so trying to get roughly the same info but,
From what I've seen you can all come over on a 3 month tourist visa (no actual visa needed) and apply for your permit during that time,(you can work during this time, and your company can apply to send you out here for work) obviously the sooner the better.

As to the permit, it will probably be a B but the canton that you move to actually decides. If your moving to lausanne it will be Vaud.
As your from an EU country it should take longer than 3 weeks if accepted (very unlikely you'll be declined)

Has your wife got work lined up? if so process would be same for her, but if not she can arrive on a 3 months tourist visa and then find work and ask them to apply, or apply for a residents permit which allows her to live here, and i think gives her 12 months to find work (but she wont be sent back to Ireland after that, just have to apply again

As i say, im also still trying to get info, so this may not be 100% accurate
Also will be moving to close Lausanne

Good luck!!

You aren't the first, and regrettably you won't be the last EF member that is unable to use the search function,

EU Permits - A few bullet points

and welcome to the Forum.

For the OP, if you have any doubts:


(applicable to EU-17 countries)

Q. Can I travel to Switzerland without a visa?
A. Yes

Q. Can I search for a job in Switzerland?
A. Yes. You will be given a 6-month residence permit (three months as a visitor, three months jobseeker's permit) allowing you to reside here while searching for jobs.

Q. Is access to the job market restricted?
A. No. A work permit will be delivered automatically upon signature of the contract.

Q. Is my permit tied to the employer??
A. No

Q. Does this mean I can change jobs freely?
A. Yes

Q. Can I work as an independent?
A. Yes. See details here.

Q. Is my significant other allowed to come with me?
A. Yes.

Q. Is my significant other allowed to work?
A. Yes, provided the union is official (marriage, civil partnership), and regardless of nationality.

Thanks for the links and the comments. I was just wondering if the situation would be any different if I am paid in another country but I live and work in Switzerland (i.e. most probably my salary would be paid in UK, but I would be living in Switzerland as my client site would be in Switzerland). I appreciate that the rules may be different per canton due to the federal structure.

If you are going to live in Switzerland you will need some way of proving the need to, proof you are working and paying tax there, but that is up to your employer.
The permit is up to you to apply for for yourself, and your family when they arrive. As an EU or Irish citizen there is no real problem, you need to register in the town you will live in. You can start work, do not need any type of visa as you aren't jobsearching- you have one! Once you have applied you are in the clear and don't worry about physically having it, we had to wait six months for ours!

You're brave!!! I wouldnt want to be living here but getting paid a UK salary!!!
*shudders @ the thought*

The Swiss will want to see your income, and you'll be able to work in CH for up to 2 years temporarily on an L permit. After that you'll need a local employer or need to be self employed in CH to remain resident.

Are you getting a Cost of Living adjustment, the £ used to need 2.4 francs, now it's 1.4.....(£25k was 60k CHF, now it's approx 38k CHF).

A colleague of mine in a multi that's in both CH and UK needs additional payments to keep his 120 days a year permit, as due to the exchange rate differential, his UK salary is too low to qualify for a CH permit.

The Swiss expect you to be a specialist on approx 80-90k CHF p.a. as a guide.

Yep, the situation is different - what you propose is not doable. The rules are the same in all cantons as it is the Confederation that has authority over immigration matters.