EU/EFTA permit for Switzerland
Free movement of persons simplifies the framework for EU and EFTA citizens, but the administrative steps still have to be completed correctly and on time. We manage the file so you can focus on the move itself.
If you hold the nationality of an EU country or of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, your move to Switzerland falls under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. In practice, an eu efta permit switzerland application is far more straightforward than a non-EU work permit: there is no quota, no labour-market priority test, and no employer-driven authorisation process to clear before you can start work. What remains is a set of formal steps: registering with the correct cantonal authority, choosing the right permit category for your contract, and, for very short assignments, using the online notification procedure instead of a residence permit.
My Swiss Relocation prepares and follows up your file with the cantonal migration office so that the paperwork keeps pace with your start date. This page covers who the EU/EFTA scheme applies to, how the B and L permits differ, when the online notification is enough on its own, and the mistakes that most often delay a file.
Who the EU/EFTA scheme covers
The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons applies to nationals of EU member states and of the EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). It covers employees taking up a position with a Swiss employer, self-employed people setting up an independent activity, and their family members joining them, regardless of the family member's own nationality.
British nationals are the main exception. Only those who already held a Swiss residence permit before the end of the Brexit transition retain rights under the former free-movement framework; anyone arriving from the UK today is processed under the rules that apply to non-EU nationals, including the quota system. If your situation involves a UK background, tell your consultant early so the correct procedure is used from the start.
B and L permits: which one applies to your contract
The permit category follows the length of your employment contract rather than any personal choice. A contract of one year or longer, or an open-ended contract, is processed as a B residence permit; a contract of less than one year is processed as an L short-stay permit, valid for the duration of the contract.
Both permits are tied to the same free-movement guarantees: you can change employer or canton without needing a new authorisation, and you can take up self-employment on the same basis. The main practical difference is renewal timing and, for family members, the conditions attached to joining you.
| B permit (EU/EFTA) | L permit (EU/EFTA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical contract | One year or more, or open-ended | Less than one year |
| Change of employer or canton | Free, notification only | Free, notification only |
| Family reunification | Available under standard conditions | More limited, depends on contract length |
| Renewal | Not automatic; requires a timely application | Follows the contract, usually not renewed beyond it |
The online notification procedure for short assignments
Not every short stay in Switzerland requires a residence permit. Below certain thresholds, an online notification through the federal platform replaces the permit application, provided the assignment stays within the applicable limits and sector rules.
The thresholds differ by situation: an employment contract of up to three months with a Swiss employer can be handled through notification instead of an L permit, while posted workers and self-employed service providers are capped at 90 effective working days per calendar year, counted cumulatively. In sectors considered higher-risk (construction, gardening and landscaping, hospitality, cleaning, security and itinerant trade, among others), notification is required from the first day of activity, without the short exemption that applies elsewhere. Deadlines are strict: as a rule the notification is due eight days before work starts, though short-term postings can be notified up to the day before, and only genuine emergencies allow notification after the fact.
- Confirming whether your assignment qualifies for notification or needs a full permit application
- Identifying which sector-specific rule applies to your contract
- Preparing and submitting the notification within the applicable deadline
- Keeping records so the cumulative 90-day threshold is tracked correctly across the year
Registering once you arrive
Beyond the permit or notification itself, arriving in Switzerland with the intention to stay triggers a registration duty with the commune of residence, generally within days of taking up residence, and a corresponding file with the cantonal migration office. This is where your address, your contract, and your civil-status documents are checked against the permit category you are applying for.
The exact documents requested vary by canton: proof of address, passport, employment contract, passport photos, and sometimes a certificate from the employer or proof of health insurance. We identify the cantonal requirements that apply to your file before submission so the office does not send it back for missing pieces.
What's Included
- Confirming your eligibility under the EU/EFTA free-movement scheme, including any UK-related exceptions
- Determining whether a B permit, an L permit or the online notification applies to your situation
- Preparing the full application file with the documents required by your specific canton
- Managing the online notification procedure for short-term assignments within the applicable deadlines
- Filing the application with the competent cantonal migration office and communal registration
- Following up the file until you receive your physical permit or confirmation
- Advising on related rights: family reunification, change of employer, and change of canton
Steps and Timeline
Review your contract and situation
We check your employment contract or self-employment plans against the conditions for a B permit, an L permit, or the online notification, and flag anything that needs clarifying before submission.
Assemble the file
We gather the documents required by your canton: passport, contract, proof of address, photos, and any cantonal forms, and prepare the notification or the permit application accordingly.
Submit and track
The file is submitted to the relevant cantonal authority or the federal notification platform. We monitor its progress and respond to any request for additional information on your behalf.
Confirm receipt and registration
Once your permit or notification confirmation is issued, we verify that all details are correct and that your communal registration is complete.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming free movement means no formalities are needed at all
- Missing the communal registration deadline after arrival
- Confusing the online notification for short assignments with a full permit application
- Not tracking the cumulative 90-day threshold across the calendar year for posted or self-employed work
- Forgetting to notify the cantonal authority of a change of employer or address
- Waiting until the current permit is close to expiry before starting the renewal
Also Worth Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit if I am an EU citizen coming to Switzerland for a short assignment?
What is the difference between a B permit and an L permit for an EU/EFTA citizen?
Can I change employers with an EU/EFTA permit?
Is my EU/EFTA B permit renewed automatically?
Are British nationals still covered by the EU/EFTA free-movement rules?
Ready to move forward?
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