Just a bit of a rant, really, as I'm pretty sure there's nothing to be done about it, but a stupid by-product of Brexit just bit us. If anyone's found a way round this problem then please do share it.

Just across the border from us, in Châtel, France, are quite a number of Brits who run building-related businesses. In the past there was never a problem for any of them to do odd bits of work in CH, they just needed to register with the Commune and inform them of dates. There's a set maximum number of says they could work per year, but within that it's just a formality.

So anyway, we'd just arranged with one such, who's a professional tiler, to re-do one of our bathrooms - got quite far along the planning process and he'd been over twice to measure up and discuss things, so he then filled in and submitted the required forms and...

he's not allowed to work in CH. If he was French or other EU it would be fine; if he was UK-resident it would be fine, but a Brit living in France falls between the two, covered by neither of the bilateral agreements between the EU and the UK.

Grrrr, bloody annoying, bloody stupid. Now I've got to start all over again with Swiss contractors, further away and less open to me doing part of the work with them, also almost certainly more expensive.

Perhaps you should share that story with the daily mail.

There is a new services agreement for professionals which allows 90 days of work in Switzerland, but I haven’t been able to find out who qualifies for this!

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home...it/uk/faq.html

It is going to be a real problem for all the winter season staff, be they in bars, restaurants, ski school, châlet work, etc. I have already seen adverts for next December for English speakers who already live in EU and have necessary paperwork/permits.

BTW, French artisans, be they plumbers, carpenters, etc- cannot work in Switzerland unless they register and agree not to undercut wages.

Do you have a link? I was only aware of the need to register a Swiss branch if working in CH for less than 90 days a year or nothing at all below 8 days a year.

Could always risk employing them cash in hand or "black" as they say here. I wonder if we'll ever see Martina Hingis fronting a campaign against tradesman engaging in undeclared work like she's done for the cleaners

https://www.grex.fr/medias/fichier/s...5583686448-pdf

so no need to register if less than 8 days- and a maximum of 90 days, with registration and all details given, including hourly salary.

Glad you ask- it means our young French friend could come and fit a new kitchen as long as we stick to 8 days.

One local farmer has had a French chap working on a full renov. for 1 month now. He is a 'dodgy' character- would be interesting to know if he is registered, etc. I won't dob him in, but someone else might do!

It's no big deal to register, the only sticking point is a Swiss address for the 'branch'.

If staff from across the border have to charge the same rates as the Swiss ones- there is not much point, is there. Like 30 euros versus 100chf.

Imagine if there were 2 prices in the French shops across the border, one for the French, and one for the Swiss

That sucks Ace1 I'd be annoyed in that situation too. However, maybe the thread title can be changed to something more accurate that may not mislead or alarm people? For example:

"Brexit consequence: Brits who are resident outside of Switzerland unable to do casual work in CH without permission."

Otherwise, reading the thread title suggests that Brits cannot work in Switzerland, in general, which is a little alarming in a topic dedicated to permits and visas and will cause a lot of people to click this thread unnecessarily.

My bet goes to Gemainde that is misinformed. I'd challange them to require to point where that comes from and ask to call Amt in Bern for clarification - what is called "open official case" on most communities.

What is the difference when Brit comes down to work in CH going over France and has there holiday apartment , took few days off in FR and perhaps is required to register there when staying more than 30-days , than decided to do some work for couple weeks in CH - why would his stay in FR impact his ability to work in CH ?

it be different story for cross-border commuters of course ..

I would be amazed if ACE could get pros for that rate in a ski resort, the cash in hand rate in Chamonix is at least €50 v €85 plus TVA.
Interestingly the average handworker in CH does not earn 16,000 a month, so again do you have a link for a min of 100 an hour salary for employees.

Brits need a work Visa or residents permit to work in most countries outside the UK, how is this a surprise to you?

I thought the ‘majority’ of the British were opposed to the EU and its principle of free movement? Living in a second country and working in a third stinks of free movement.

You reap what you sow.

Indeed, I left the UK to work in CH long before free movement. Totally unnecessary, anyone with talent can work where they want.

There are indeed massive advantages to not living in Chamonix

Also a sense of personal responsibility. Making a customer lose time by offering services while not having idea if it's possible to deliver is........I cannot think about any kind word. Just like an adult version of the dog ate my homework.

Really, that cheap? Even in Berlin, low standard of salaries, I pay 60 EUR an hour or so (white, not cash on hand)

I don't, I moved to St Gervais, far more sun however the best off piste skiing accessible from a lift (when the replace it after the fire) is Argentiere. Plenty of Americans spend 3 months a season, year after year in Chamonix for this reason.

Funnily enough our cleaner lives in Chamonix..... so there is no saving on staff.