Swiss Residence Rules
by Nationality

Benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Generally have easier access to residence and employment in Switzerland, subject to registration, sufficient means, employment or self-employment conditions and health insurance.

• —Registration with cantonal migration authority required
• —Employment, self-employment or sufficient means required
• —Health insurance mandatory
• —Simplified procedures compared to non-EU/EFTA nationals
• —B permit issued initially; C permit after qualifying period

Treated as third-country nationals after Brexit, unless protected by acquired rights under the Swiss-UK Citizens' Rights Agreement. UK nationals who were resident in Switzerland before 1 January 2021 may hold protected status.

• —Post-Brexit: subject to non-EU/EFTA rules for new applicants
• —Acquired rights may apply for pre-2021 residents
• —Employment-based residence subject to quotas
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available in certain cantons
• —Individual legal review recommended

Treated as third-country nationals. Residence and work permits are subject to cantonal and federal quotas, priority checks and approval procedures.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Employment requires employer sponsorship and priority check
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available
• —Retirement and family reunification routes available subject to conditions
• —US tax obligations continue regardless of Swiss residence

Treated as third-country nationals. Subject to the same quota and approval procedures as other non-EU/EFTA nationals.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Employment requires employer sponsorship
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available
• —Individual cantonal review required

Treated as third-country nationals. Switzerland is a popular destination for Gulf-based private clients considering residence, lump-sum taxation and property acquisition.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Lump-sum taxation route frequently considered
• —No gainful activity in Switzerland required for lump-sum route
• —Property acquisition subject to Lex Koller
• —Banking and compliance review standard

Treated as third-country nationals. Additional banking, compliance and sanctions review may apply depending on individual circumstances, source of funds and applicable regulatory requirements.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Enhanced compliance and source-of-funds review
• —Sanctions screening required
• —Banking access subject to individual review
• —Legal and compliance advice strongly recommended before proceeding

Treated as third-country nationals. Switzerland and China have a bilateral free trade agreement, but this does not extend to free movement of persons.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Employment requires employer sponsorship and priority check
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available
• —Property acquisition subject to Lex Koller

Treated as third-country nationals. India and Switzerland have a bilateral social security agreement but no free movement arrangement.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Employment in specialised sectors most common route
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available
• —Individual cantonal review required

Treated as third-country nationals. Subject to the standard non-EU/EFTA quota and approval procedures.

• —Subject to non-EU/EFTA quota system
• —Employment requires employer sponsorship
• —Lump-sum taxation route may be available in certain cantons
• —Individual review required

C permit holders are treated as settled residents for most purposes, including property acquisition. The C permit is indefinite and grants rights broadly equivalent to Swiss nationals in many areas.

• —Indefinite residence permit
• —Full property acquisition rights (Lex Koller exempt)
• —Generally after 5 or 10 years of continuous residence
• —Qualifying period depends on nationality

B permit holders have temporary residence rights. Property acquisition rights depend on nationality, permit basis and canton. EU/EFTA B permit holders generally have broader rights than non-EU/EFTA B permit holders.

• —Annual or multi-year renewable permit
• —Property rights depend on nationality and permit basis
• —EU/EFTA B permit: main residence generally possible
• —Non-EU/EFTA B permit: more restricted
• —Individual review required before any property acquisition