My husband and I moved here in January from the United States. We are both US citizens.

We are here because of my husband's work. He has a work permit (B). My B permit is for residency only.

However, I have a specialized education and extensive experience in my field. I hold a Master's in Library and Information Studies and have more than 10 years of experience at the management level. The degree is uncommon in Europe, so it would be easy to show that a Swiss and/or EU citizen would not be able to do this work.

I have been approached by two libraries who would like me to work for them as a consultant to help them set up new programs and services based upon the US public library service model. However, I am not certain how I would do this legally.

The situation is further complicated because while I live in Canton Zürich, the libraries are in neighboring cantons. And if I were to begin consulting on a more extensive basis, I would need to be able to cross canton boundaries with whatever permit I may have.

The libraries have said they could pay me by sending a check to my permanent address in the United States. That would certainly be an easy way to do it. However, given that I am a resident of Switzerland I am concerned this method is outside the boundaries of the law. I wouldn't want to do anything that could get me or my husband kicked out of the country!

Another option is to be hired by the libraries on a part-time, temporary basis. However, that could become complicated if my consulting work expands and I consult with multiple libraries. It would be a pain to file new permit paperwork every time I consult with a new library.

A third option I heard is to start a coporation here in Switzerland and then have that "Swiss Corporation" sponsor me as the sole employee. That again seems excessively complicated.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Gretchen

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1. The third option ie starting a GmbH or an AG is not too complicated but not as easy either so one needs to do paperwork, deposits, government fees etc.

2. It is difficult with the second option as well to be independent as the permit is employer specific and sometimes canton specific so everytime one needs to change.

3. Not sure about billing through US.

Let me know we could discuss as i am in a similar situation and with a similar field i.e in the information field. Send me a PM if you wish.

Hi,

I'm not an expert, but i'd suggest that you utilize the services of a swiss company that does this kind of work (employs consultants) and has the required permits and what not.

You would then become an employee of the Swiss company, and the libraries would pay the swiss company on invoice for services, say based on your time sheets.

I set up a GmbH and it was not difficult. In fact, I think the rules change in May or June making it even easier to do without using an attorney.

The one thing that needs to be done with a GmbH is capitalize the company with 20,000CHF. The money does not need to stay in your business bank account for long ( a few days), but if you do not have access to that amount, I am not sure what you do.

There are probably people on this board who know about the new rules for forming a GmbH.

Good luck.

fduvall

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This is correct except that the new rules come into effect from Jan 1, 2008.

Basically, it doesn't matter where or how you get paid as a US citizen or where you reside. You still have to file a US tax return although there are special circumstances when living abroad. You certainly wouldn't get kicked out of the country. Some information can be found below. Google also has many many hits.

http://www.taxmeless.com/IRS593Publication.htm

I don't see how this is any different from your living in the US and doing consulting work for a foreign company or vice versa.

Hi Gretchen,

The most obvious and simple advice seems to have been overlooked on this thread.

Go and talk to your local community office and explain the situation. Explain that your permit is restricted regarding work, but that your husband has a work permit and you'd like to work as well. Especially considering the nature of your work (even in another canton) is specialised, I can't really see a big drama. Certainly less of a drama than some of the other options being kicked around!

Or have you already spoken with them and posted these questions based on the advice they gave you?

That said - since this is mostly about permits, I'm going to move this to the permit section.

If you browse the forum you'll also find lots of other threads where working as a spouse has been discussed.

Mark

Gretchen,
I agree with Mark about going and having a chat with your local Gemeinde. While I'm not sure about things in ZH, you can probably get the canton's Auslaenderdienst to provide a interpreter (Dolmetcher) to help out if they don't speak much english in the Gemeinde office (see if you can get the Gemeinde to request the interpreter for you). They'll probably be happy to help you out with working as you will be adding to the tax base.

From what I know (and I'm not a tax/employment expert by any means) an Einzelfirma expects that you have multiple clients, so you probably meet this requirement. Einzelfirmas are usually shops or plumbers, etc.

You may also want to contact Gabriel Grether at Grether MacGeorge (http://www.gmacg.com/ and http://www.gmacg.com/company.php). Gabby's a Swiss attorney who also writes a legal advice column in the 'Swiss News' magazine that is published monthly. Gabby also helped a friend of mine set up a Gmbh, and he was quite happy with her work on it.