Dear all,

I think that it is impossible to change canton (from Zurich to Geneva) while being unemployed as it says in the "Ausländergesetz" (Foreigner Law).

But want to see if anyone has experience in this matter.

Thanks,
Sahasrara

Additional info: I get unemployment benefit

What permit do you have & what passport do you hold?

I have a B-Permit (5 years and still valid up to 2014). I have Greek passport.
I receive unemployment benefit until End of November 2010.

Not so.

As an EU citizen you have complete mobility. You can go and live in whichever Kanton you like.

What's more I believe you get unemployment benefit for 2 years in VD for example, and only 18 months in Zug. Unsure about Geneva and Zurich, but it may be the same.

In Zurich & Geneva you get 400 Days over 24 months so 18 months of paid benefits in 24

I have been at the cantonal registration office in Geneva and I need a permit for Geneva as my permit is only valid for Zurich, and as I am unemployed I do not really know if I am not neglected as someone already said I will get more unemployment payments in Geneva.

Did you read the "Auslàndergesetz" ? It says in the section "Kontonswechsel" that B-Permit holder are not entitled to change cantons if they are unemployed.

'B' Permit holders may change their Canton only with the permission of the Canton where you are registered. Normally it is not approved. You would have to find a good excuse like a sick mother in Geneva.

The unemployment payments and duration for you, are the same in every Canton.

As a 'C' permit holder, I changed Cantons without any problem.

Not the case for Spouses holding a B permit.

Not since 01.01.2008 when non-EU B permit holders were granted geographical freedom.

But then again what about the Foreign Law (Auslàndergesetz) where it says that umemployed people are do not entitled to change cantons except of C-permit holders?

Also I don't think, the police will give me the same B-permit as before since I am unemployed. So I probably will get no permit or at least a B-permit with yearly renewal because they are issuing a complete new permit, and this will enable me to consume all my benefits until they are completely used up. They don't issue 5 years permits on basis of unemployment. Do they? And giving a reason like my girlfriend moved, so I want to join her, is more than doubtful that they will accept this. I don't want to put my B-permit (5 years) at risk. So I better not change cantons.

Could you point to the art. number for this? I don't find it covered in the amendments of 2008 and as no non-EU resident had the right prior to 2008 I'd have expected to see it mentioned in the art.s theat gave them the right.


You have a 5 year B permit. You are not replacing it nor renewing it, merely changing your address.

Article 37 AuG

This denies a Kanton change for those not entitled to a permit or permit renewal. You are not in that category. You have a 5 year EU type B permit.

You have two choices:

1. Go to the local town hall and ask.

2. Get a copy of

Uebersax / Rudin / Hugi Yar / Geiser, Immigration Law, 2nd edition, Basel, 2009, 8:13 Revision with references.

I think reference 7241 is apt:

"Persons with residence permits have a legally protected right to another canton."

Well, I spoke with the migration office in Zurich (Migrationsamt Zürich) today and they said that you have to prove an income. My income (RAV payments) will run out this month. After then I have no income. Okay, in Geneva I would be entitled to get another 120 days. But this will look like that I am only changing cantons because of this. They said (in Zurich), without having any working contract you have minor chances to get a permit in Zurich. I think the same applies to any other canton in Switzerland. That means my existing B-permit will not be overwritten from another canton.

Yes, you are granted geographical freedom as a EU national but only if you have a work contract you can live from or enough cash in the bank or...

No one there with insider information?

You have only a legally protected right to another canton as a C-permit holder. B-permit holder have a right if they have work or sufficient cash for all I know. Also this does also include L-permit holder. What about them?
Geographical freedom is classified according to your permit.

Where are you getting this information from? Unemployment here is for 400 days which can be paid out over a two year period. If you are over 55, then you can have 520 days.

The Federal Council extended it to another 120 days for people over 30 in the canton of Geneva recently. This procedure is only in force between November 10 and March 11.

How interesting. However, according to this article*, it was a temporary measure lasting till October 31st.

[FR] http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/economie/chomage-genevois-520-jours-indemnites-2010-03-31

*Google translator did the reading for me

ahh, and further extended... http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/suisse/s...-Jura-10306398 [FR]

You know wrong. Geographical mobility for EU citizen is not regulated by the AuG but rather the Free Movement Agreement, Annex I article 2.