Swiss work permits

Foreigners who want to work in Switzerland need a work permit. There are several different kinds.

The B permits are for European Union foreign nationals who have found employment in and want to live in Switzerland.

Requirements: recipient of a work contract (or a binding work offer) with a duration of at least one year.

Valid: 5 years 

The L permit

L permits are for short durations for European Union foreign nationals who want to live in Switzerland for less than a year, within or without a work contract.

Requirements: Requirements: recipient of a work contract (or a binding work offer).

Valid: The work contract cannot exceed 12 months total. The authorization is renewable without restrictions and without the need to leave the country. It can be

converted into a B permit after a 30 month stay without interruption.

The C permit

The C permit is a permanent residence permit for foreign nationals of the European Union who are employed and reside in Switzerland.

Requirements: candidates must have lived or worked in Switzerland for 5 years.

Valid: indefinite

The G permit

The G permit is for workers from the European Union who live in a European Union member country (most frequently France, Germany, Austria and Italy).

Requirements: recipient of a work contract (or a binding work offer). Workers who come from border countries must go back to their home country at least once a week (but can return every day if they wish).

Valid: usually for five years, but for contracts which are less than a year, the authorization is for the duration of the contract.