Hi,

Sorry my first post is a question, but having just been made redundant by my company (for no cause - my job is not being replaced), I was wondering whether anyone else on here has sufferred a similar plight. Having been headhunted from the UK in 2003, I have been here for a little over 4 years and it has to be said am pretty dissapointed that my company would do a thing like this having moved me (and my wife) over from the UK. I have a 3 month notice period, and the company are paying one months extra salary but that is pretty much it as far as the terms go. An initial glance on various websites suggests that this is correct, but has anyone got any more information as to whether it would be reasonable to ask for anything else?

Also what is the situation here regarding unemploymeny benefits? Hopefully I'll find another job, but nevertheless would like to understand more about this. Having worked here for more than 2 years, I believe I should be eligible. It does feel kind of odd though, and should the need arise, I must admit I'm of two minds. On one hand I consider that I've paid my insurance premiums and, as this is for such an eventuality, should therefore have no qualms about claiming. On the other hand its not something I ever expected to have to do. Does claiming this put a black mark against you for visa renewal/C application etc. By the way, I'm Irish and have a B visa at the moment, so hopefully no problems on the residency front.

I fully intend to stay in CH and get another job, so view this only as a temporary hiccup - nevertheless would greatly appreciate any views anyone may have.

Patrious45

as EU, you can renew no problem.

So you should be out looking for a job. Search the site for "english speaking companies" which has MANY MANY links.

Check out this thread - the info is mostly reliable

RAV registration and benefit payable.


You should be able to claim something like 86k CHF per year for up to 18 months.

If your B permit expires it will be renewed for at least the outstanding period of your unemplyment benefit entitlement.


If you're set on remaining in Switzerland then just go for it - don't feel guilty. You've paid your taxes but Switzerland hasn't paid a penny towards your education and wellbeing to this point and you wouldn't be there if they had a native who could do the job.

Thanks for the information.

I have read the rules in the link and am curious if the same rules are applied to NON-EUs who generally need to update their permits in annual basis.

I have worked in Switzerland for more than two years and am studying possible options I can choose when either the company or I decide not to extend the contract.
Thanks in advance for your information. Cheers,

Hello It can but it must not so beware. Basically if you resign then you are not going to get anywhere. If on the other hand the company does not extend your contract then dependent on your permit you could then get the same treatment as EU citizens. This is the normal case. It is however possible that your permit is fixed term in which case you are expected to be here until a specific date and when that date comes around you are expected to leave and that is without any benefits. Normally you only find out about this after the event and have spent a fortune paying into the Unemployment pot.

So I would check with the alien bureau (migrationsamt) as to your status. They will be able to give you the information you need. If you are on an open permit you can claim unemployment benefit after having worked here for 2 years assuming you are made unemployed and not that you have resigned.

That's surprising news. If, for example, you are a contractor whose contract is renewed on a regular basis (annually, for example), you may not qualify for unemployment benefit?!

Does this apply only to the permit being fixed period, or also your job contract?

Thanks to everyone for your reponses. Yes I fully intend to stay, as my wife is now working and we are fairly settled. I've actually made a trip to the employment office and found them surprisingly helpful and informed - certainly very different to what I was expecting.

Gav, thanks for that - good point.

Patrious45

Sorry to say but that is the way it is. NORMALLY permits are issued that are open to unemployment but not always and there have been many cases some here on the forum where after paying in for 4 years, someone finds they are not entitled to unemployment benefit. The USUAL case is when the person is a student or working for a university in a non-lecturing role or when the person is here as an ex-pat, but theoretically it can happen to anyone. The deciding factor is whether you are integrated into the Swiss employment market or not. With integration you have entitlement.

It is very difficult outside of asking the alien bureau to know what status your permit gives you - at least I know of no other way.