Dear all,

I have searched all threads on pregnancy, maternity, and B-permits but it still is not quite clear to me what will happen when my permit expires.

Situation:

• EU B permit (old Europe), but postdoc so permit was granted only for duration of contract (24 months, no renewal in between)
• Kanton Bern, my B-permit allows employer and kanton change
• Possibly 4 months pregnant by the time the contract expires
• Therefore, not satisfying the 5 months working out of 9 months pregnant, because the contract will expire at month 4
• Unmarried, father is old EU too, no official konkubinat

My understanding from Richard's posts is that I will not satisfy unemployment benefit requirements as these do not apply to people on temporary contract permits, especially researchers such as postdocs, regardless how long we have been here. So although I will have worked 24 months out of 24, this is a no no? Am I also correct in thinking I do not satisfy the 5 months out of 9 rule, because I will only be 4 months pregnant when the contract expires? Therefore, I do not qualify for maternity benefits, and the contract will be terminated as planned?

Two questions:
My questions are, is it correct I won't qualify for either unemployment or maternity benefit? Is this because of the 5 out of 9 month rule, or does no one with a temporary contract qualify for maternity benefits?

Second, will I be kicked out, 4 months pregnant? Or will I be given a permit on the basis of my relationship with a 5-year B permit holder, who is old EU too? But would that then change any of benefit entitlements (I presume not?)

Muze7 I think you may have more chance of an answer to your question in the permits section so I have moved your post here. Congratulations.

Maybe a wedding would be an idea? That would solve the problem about the permit... I do know of a case in the old days where the mother got a permit although they weren't married but have no idea how the rules work these days.

Good idea Tillia!!!


Also how is your relationship with your employer?? Any chance you could get them to extend your contract for 1 more month???

I don't know about the benefits, but assuming your partner has the financial means to support you and the baby then you will have no problem getting a dependent B permit.

Or just a registered partnership.

Is that sufficient these days for a "Verbleib beim Gatten" (Dependent?) permit? I know that it was an issue for the gay community but never followed what the outcome was. Once I got my C permit I kind of lost touch with the rules on these issues.

Yes, it is, especially so for old EU.

Thanks to all for the replies, and to Lou for moving the thread.

That would be good, as we have a registered partnership already, but since we are heterosexual couple this is not a formal Swiss one, but a foreign one. I had always the understood the Swiss organized this partnership only for same sex couples because they would say hetero couples can get married.

But going that route presents big problems, I live in another kanton from my spouse, and if we go the route of a dependent permit, I guess I cannot continue to be taxed where I work, and this would be a nightmare, as a language and tax change would be involved.

So I guess what I am trying to find out is if I could somehow stay on an independent permit (the one I have but which is limited to the contract length).

Well, wish you said that from the get-go. The key to getting a dependent permit, regardless of relationship, is sharing living premises...

Since you're old EU, you could apply for a EU job-seeker permit. However I think it is likely to expire before you'd be back on the job market.

Check out this URL
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...ab/manla5.html