Any foreign national planning to stay in Switzerland for longer than 90 days must apply for a residence permit. Swiss residence permits are categorised by their duration as follows:
- short-term, valid for less than 1 year;
- limited, requiring annual renewal;
- permanent, issued for an indefinite period.
Understanding how the Swiss immigration system works is crucial for anyone planning to make the Swiss Confederation their new home, regardless of where you are coming from – the US, the UK, the EU or another country.
5 key benefits of a Swiss residence permit
- High quality of life and safety. Switzerland ranks 5th in the Global Peace Index as a safe European country with a high standard of living. Swiss residents have access to prestigious educational institutions and high-quality healthcare.
- Freedom of movement. As a Swiss resident, you can travel visa-free across the 29 European jurisdictions of the Schengen Area.
- Unique opportunities for work and business. In Switzerland, foreign professionals and enterprising investors can secure well-paid employment, register their own companies and benefit from a reliable banking system.
- Tax optimisation. The Swiss Confederation offers a competitive tax regime involving the annual payment of a fixed tax not linked to actual income.
- Swiss citizenship. After 5–10 years of residence in the country, an immigrant becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence . If you have mastered one of the local official languages sufficiently well and have integrated seamlessly into the community of your canton, you will be able to apply for citizenship after a certain period of time.
Who needs a residence permit in Switzerland
This welcoming country is chosen as a place to move to by:
1. Entrepreneurs and owners of international companies
Businesspeople often relocate to Switzerland with their businesses to move their headquarters to an economically stable jurisdiction, gain unrestricted access to the large, solvent European market, and make use of the services of reliable Swiss banks.
2. Financially independent individuals
Wealthy foreigners, particularly those referred to by the acronym HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals), are drawn to Switzerland by its economic stability, the opportunity to safeguard their assets, and the high quality of life. Some find the predictable taxation under the lump-sum taxation regime advantageous, whereby a fixed annual tax amount, calculated on the basis of expenditure, is payable once a year.
3. Top managers and high-calibre professionals on employment contracts
Foreign specialists come to work in Switzerland for the opportunities for career progression, high salaries, and comfortable working and living conditions.
4. Families of residents
Spouses, children, and sometimes elderly parents travel to the Swiss Confederation with the main applicant, or join them later, so as not to sever family ties, to live comfortably in a safe country, and to provide their children with an excellent education.
5. Retirees
Wealthy middle-aged foreign nationals move to Switzerland to spend their retirement in a cosy country with a high quality of life and an excellent healthcare system.
Popular ways to obtain residency in Switzerland
A Swiss residence permit is not a one-size-fits-all immigration route. There are numerous legal grounds for obtaining Swiss residency.
Residence based on employment
Under current laws, a foreign national cannot work in Switzerland without a permit. The rules for obtaining one vary significantly depending on whether the foreign specialist is a resident of a European Union or European Free Trade Association country, or holds citizenship of another country.
Regardless of nationality, every applicant for a residence permit must have an employment contract with an employer in Switzerland.
Residence permits for specialists from the EU/EFTA
Prospective employees of Swiss companies from EU and EFTA countries obtain a residence permit in the municipality to which they plan to move. To do so, they must register with the local authorities within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland and submit a written statement from their employer confirming their employment.
Residence permits for employees from third countries
A work permit for an employee from a non-EU/EFTA country is obtained by the Swiss employer. To do this, the following is required:
- Establish the same working conditions, salary and social security contributions for the required position as for Swiss employees.
- Advertise the vacancy on the local labour market and confirm that no suitable candidate could be found among Swiss nationals or citizens of EU/EFTA countries.
- Obtain a work permit for the foreign employee by applying to the immigration authorities of your canton and to SEM – the State Secretariat for Migration.
The Swiss authorities impose quotas on the number of work permits issued to third-country nationals with specific professional qualifications.
In turn, a foreign employee from a country outside the EU/EFTA must:
- Obtain a job offer from a Swiss employer that has been pre-approved on the local labour market.
- Possess high professional qualifications and work experience. Qualifications must be confirmed by relevant university education and/or an academic degree.
- Rent or purchase accommodation in Switzerland, take out health insurance for the duration of the first residence permit, and demonstrate to the immigration authorities that they have sufficient personal savings to settle in their new location.
- Provide a police certificate confirming no criminal convictions. The foreign specialist must not have a history of deportation or be subject to an entry ban into the Swiss Confederation or EU countries.
- Obtain a visa to move to Switzerland, where, within 14 days, you will need to register with the cantonal immigration authorities and apply for a residence permit.
Work permits in Switzerland are usually granted to specialists from third countries for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal. Key factors for a foreign employee’s long-term residence in the Swiss Confederation also include their age and language skills, as well as a high level of professional and social adaptability.
Imperial & Legal will help you gather all the necessary documents for employment in Switzerland within a reasonable timeframe. Our specialists provide coordinated support with your employer throughout the process of obtaining a work permit and will ensure that deadlines for submitting applications and documents are met. Experience shows that Swiss companies are more likely to consider candidates who have legal support from our firm.
Swiss residency for entrepreneurs and business owners
A residence permit for entrepreneurs and business owners offers a pathway to residency in Switzerland for individuals who are prepared to establish, acquire or actively manage a commercial enterprise that brings long-term economic benefit to the country.
This immigration route is chosen to launch an innovative start-up, a trading company, an IT business or a consultancy firm on Swiss territory, or to register a holding structure or a branch of an international company.
Provided certain conditions are met, it is also possible to acquire an existing business in Switzerland in its entirety, or to make a significant investment in a Swiss company with the aim of playing a significant role in its management.
Requirements for entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit in Switzerland
The applicant must provide:
- A university degree, certificates of professional training and a CV.
- A detailed business plan with financial indicators and a forecast for the company’s development.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to set up the company and carry out successful commercial activities.
- Documents proving that the entrepreneur is prepared to manage their firm in accordance with Swiss corporate, tax and labour regulations.
If the applicant is investing in an existing company, they must take on a key role in management, supervision and strategic leadership.
- A purchase agreement or a residential property lease agreement in the Swiss Confederation.
After moving to Switzerland, the entrepreneur must spend more than 6 months of the year in their new home country.
- A police certificate confirming no criminal convictions.
In addition to police records, the cantonal immigration authorities check whether the entrepreneur has any breaches of immigration law or entry bans.
What criteria are used to assess a foreign entrepreneur’s Swiss business?
The prospective company must make a significant contribution to both the canton’s and the country’s economy by:
- creating new jobs for Swiss citizens and permanent residents;
- developing priority sectors of the Swiss economy;
- introducing innovations;
- diversifying the canton’s economic landscape;
How can a businessperson successfully immigrate to Switzerland?
One of the distinctive features of the immigration process in this country is the considerable discretion granted to Swiss federal and cantonal authorities when issuing residence permits to investors and businesspeople. To ensure that moving to another country is not marred by unforeseen complications, the team at Imperial & Legal handles a whole range of tasks for foreign entrepreneurs: obtaining a residence permit, preparing corporate documents, registering a company and optimising tax arrangements.
Residence permits for financially independent foreign nationals
The Swiss residence permit programme for financially independent individuals allows wealthy foreigners to reside in the country on a long-term basis.
Retired participants in the programme are primarily looking to find a peaceful, comfortable living environment in Switzerland, with access to first-class healthcare.
HNWIs view the country as a major financial centre where they can preserve and grow their capital, as well as make significant savings on tax payments through the special lump-sum taxation regime.
Financially independent expats often move to Switzerland with their families to provide their children with a first-class education.
What are the requirements for programme participants?
To obtain a residence permit in Switzerland without the need to work, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The programme participant must prove they have sufficient financial means to support themselves and their dependants. The monthly income of a financially independent person must exceed the threshold set by Swiss law.
Income may come in the form of pensions, benefits, investments or savings. Applicants must provide evidence, such as bank statements or income reports. - This immigration programme for wealthy foreign nationals is linked to a lump-sum taxation regime, under which tax is calculated based on annual living expenses in Switzerland, rather than on global income or the value of assets. It is not uncommon for an agreement to be concluded between the cantonal authorities and the high-net-worth immigrant, setting out the lump-sum tax required to maintain residency.
- Applicants and their dependants must have valid health insurance covering medical expenses in the country.
- To maintain their immigration status, programme participants must reside in Switzerland for the majority of the year. To do this, the applicant must purchase or rent suitable accommodation. The relevant documents are submitted alongside the application for a Swiss residence permit.
- Programme participants may not work or conduct business in Switzerland, but may receive passive income from investments, such as dividends from a foreign company.
Our specialists will help you develop a favourable strategy for moving to Switzerland, select a canton that suits your goals, and act as your trusted representatives during negotiations with regional authorities. Imperial & Legal staff also provide support in gathering evidence of the funds required to participate in the immigration programme and compile the necessary documentation. As with our other routes, we take on a significant portion of the work to ensure your move to Switzerland is as smooth as possible.
Family reunification or moving to Switzerland with your family
Third-country nationals can apply for a residence permit not only for themselves, but also for their spouses and children under the age of 18.
If an EU/EFTA citizen is moving to the Swiss Confederation, in addition to their spouse and minor children, they may bring with them:
- dependent children and grandchildren under the age of 21;
- parents and grandparents who are dependent on the main applicant – the latter category of relatives cannot be included in the application if the residence permit is being applied for on the grounds of study or an internship.
Family reunification occurs when an immigrant who has already settled in Switzerland arranges for relatives to join them. This possibility depends on the financial situation of the host party – the availability of a regular income and sufficient living space.
Furthermore, the number of relatives who can be invited will depend on the person’s immigration status (resident, permanent resident or citizen), as well as whether certain family members hold residence in one of the EU/EFTA countries.
Imperial & Legal consultants assist family members abroad in gathering all the necessary documents and also advise the inviting party throughout the process of preparing and submitting the application for family reunification.
Residence for study in Switzerland
All categories of international applicants must first obtain confirmation of enrolment at one of Switzerland’s accredited educational institutions.
The relocation process then varies depending on the foreign student’s nationality:
- If the student is a citizen of an EU or EFTA country, they simply travel to their place of study and register with the cantonal immigration authorities to be issued with a residence permit.
- Prospective students from third countries must first obtain a visa from the Swiss consulate in their home country. Once the prospective student has been granted a visa, they travel to Switzerland to study and contact the immigration authorities in their canton to register and obtain a residence permit.
All prospective students, regardless of their nationality, must have:
- sufficient funds to cover their living expenses in Switzerland;
- insurance covering healthcare costs for at least the first year of their stay.
Imperial & Legal’s comprehensive service package for students includes advice throughout the application process, preparation of the application and supporting documents, as well as liaising with the consulate and cantonal authorities.
What is a cantonal strategy and why is it important for a smooth move to Switzerland?
Each canton in Switzerland has its own tax regime, corporate regulations, unique property market, and linguistic and cultural characteristics.
The choice of which Swiss region to live in determines many important factors, including the costs of obtaining a residence permit.
For example, entrepreneurs, investors and digital nomads often move to the canton of Zug, as this region has low tax rates on corporate and personal income. Top managers and HNWIs often consider Geneva, as an international financial centre, as a place to relocate. High-income immigrants in Geneva receive personalised offers from reputable Swiss banks, which help them preserve and grow their capital.
How long does the process of obtaining a residence permit in Switzerland take?
On average, the processing time for an application is between 3 and 6 months. In practice, the exact time taken to obtain Swiss residency varies depending on the canton, the chosen immigration route, the applicant’s nationality and the workload of the authorities.
Nationals of countries outside the EU/EFTA usually allow more time for obtaining a Swiss residence permit, as:
- they face stricter requirements regarding the documentation package and a more thorough vetting process;
- most such applicants will require a visa to travel to Switzerland, which can take up to 8 weeks to obtain.
Add to this the time needed for preparation, and it will take around 8 months to obtain a Swiss residence permit.
If a high-income earner or investor is moving to Switzerland, the duration of negotiations with the cantonal authorities regarding the lump-sum tax must be added to the timeframes mentioned above .
With Imperial & Legal, you can better manage the timeline: we prepare the documents in advance, help you complete the application correctly and support you in your dealings with the immigration authorities.
Stages of obtaining residency in Switzerland
Let’s look at the process using the example of a third-country national not affiliated with the European Union or EFTA:
Preparation
Obtaining an entry visa
Moving to Switzerland and registration
Obtaining a residence permit
Renewing your residence permit
Why should you contact the consultants at Imperial & Legal?
Consultations with our specialists will significantly save you time and money during the process of obtaining residency in Switzerland.
We take a systematic approach, backed by the expertise and experience of Imperial & Legal’s staff. From checking the documents you’ve gathered to liaising with the authorities of the Swiss canton, our lawyers prioritise multitasking, openness to our clients’ wishes and ensuring confidentiality.
