I've read up about being a tourist on this site but I am still confused .

I am from the UK. I am trying to sort out my life and my options . I have met a wonderful man here in Switzerland who is also English but lives here permanently and has done for years. I have been visiting him regularly all year, for weekends, weeks, a month and this time two and a half months.

I understand I can come here 90 days at a time.

My question is how long do I have to return to the UK for, before I can come back for another 90 days.

Thanking you in advance.

I don't have as much confidence in my answer as I normally would because I've never traveled to the UK from mainland Europe since the EU dropped borders. So I'm not as familiar with this scenario.

I believe UK is not part of Schengen, hence within a 180 day period, if you have exhausted your 90 days in Schengen, then you will have to remain outside of Schengen for at least 90 days.

If there are no passport controls between the UK and the rest of the EU/Schengen then it's moot, isn't it?

You could just move here and become resident in Switzerland. It would solve your tourist problem.

You can still leave the country for a few weeks at a time to go back to the UK but you just have to watch the restrictions on that time out of CH otherwise it voids your permit.

You just need to register when you get here, get yourself some health insurance and you're off.

There are passport controls between UK and Schengen, but it doesn't matter anyway. Although UK isn't Schengen, it is EU and there is free movement between Switzerland and EU, so you can stay here as long as you want

That's true but after 90 days you lose tourist status and you have to register. If you come and go according to the "tourist" status rules you don't need to register.

Thankyou for your replies so far .

It's the 'tourist' rules, I don't quite understand .....

Tourist is anyone who remains in the country for a max of 90 days in any 180 day period. That's cumulative so a week here then a couple of months then another couple of weeks will stack up to the maximum.

Not really - a tourist is someone who remains in the country for a max of 90 days in any 180 day period for the purposes of tourism. Tehnically, if you are here for any other purpose, such as looking for a job, then you should register.

Many thanks for your replies. I have been here to 'get to know' my new man, see how I 'like' switzerland and if all works out if I could make it my home.

I am assuming the 180 days is a 'rolling' 180 days?? If so I have exceeded the culmulative 90 days and am now concerned I won't be allowed back in.

If I wanted to get a permit of some sort I would have to find a job? I have read about being a non-active person, I'm too young for retirement . Does anyone know how much money I would need to be classed as self supporting here? Or any other suggestions of how I can be with my man.

I spent the summer in Switzerland with my new man and had a lovely time. I made the decision I now want to come back to live there with him. I've been back in the Uk for two weeks now and would like some advice as to what to do next.

Do I have to stay away for 90 days and then come back? I think I will be looking for a job and so start with a L permit? Where I want to work has jobs in the New Year.

Is there anything I can be doing whilst in England?

Thanking you in advance.

EU = freedom of movement in Switzerland.
Does he know about these developments?

Perhaps he votes UDC/SVP, and is reading the voting material on mass immigration

Look on the UK Swiss embassy website. Start on www.ch.ch

I've merged the two Threads as basically you are still asking questions on similar subjects and the first thread gave more details which might help with answers.
I can only give the basic sort of reply. Check out the Stickies about employment, permits, health care and whatever. There are links to other sources there which tell you of pitfalls to avoid.
Hope all goes well.

Thankyou. I have read so much information, emailed the Swiss Embassy and they have referred me to the Canton office. My situation is complicated and I dont want to mess up my chances of not being accepted.

Unfortunately my new partner is now having tests for a lump on his neck and I really want to be there for him.

Im sure it will all work out in the end. Just feeling lost and not knowing how to deal with it.

Nope - just come over and register.

ooo thankyou swissbob - I could kiss you xx

As an EU National (assuming you are) you can return provided you register within 8 days of arrival at your local Commune. This will require you to take out Swiss medical insurance within 90 days of registration.

When you register you'll be asked for the basis of your residence. Your options include but are not limited to the following:

-looking for work
-becoming a registered partner of your other half
-getting married
-becoming an au pair
-becoming a student
-becoming a retiree with own funds
-becoming a Swiss employee/self employed person
-(re) joining a local family

Effectively you have to be committed as although freedom of movement applies, it's on the understanding there's a basis for the movement. It looks like you've consumed your "holiday" allocation until year end. However you could come tomorrow, and register within a week on the basis you're looking for work and hitching up with your other half (assuming he's a Swiss/EU-EEA resident).

The amount of money can be based on an "existence minimum" which is generally 1-3k p.m. assuming your costs are paid by your other half (rent, health insurance, food, etc). He may need to untertake to take care of you

So the Commune will assess if you and your partner have enough to sustain both of you. Otherwise you need to come on your own steam with a job offer/income stream.

Although EU/EEA freedom of movement applies, the Swiss authorities decide on letting you become resident (as opposed to visiting) which is a local decision in your prospective canton of residence. CH is not in the EU/EEA so full Treaty rights don't apply.

Can your prospective partner support you while you look for work and demonstrate this to the local authorities? Good luck with the conversation
He can also call his Commune to find out what he needs to do to have you over legitimately.

Thankyou for your reply. It is very helpful. Hopefully it won't be too long before I come back .