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Citizens of EU//EFTA member states have the right to take up gainful employment in Switzerland. A distinction is made between commencement of work with a Swiss employer, the posting of workers by EU/EFTA based companies to Switzerland and self-employment.
Information on fees as of March, 2024
Please note that the fees in connection with work permits (particularly for negative orders) had to be increased as of March 1, 2024. The fees follow the cost covering principle. The applicable rates can be found in the current regulation on fees.
Notice for nationals from Croatia
On 22 November 2023, the Federal Council has decided to extend the safeguard clause provided for in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with regard to workers from Croatia.
Croatian nationals who would like to take up employment in Switzerland will therefore still be subject to quotas in 2024. The full freedom of movement of persons remains suspended. The same number of permits will be available as for 2023: The number of short stay permits (L) available in 2023 has been fixed at 1007, the one for residence permits (B) at 1150. Labour market requirements will still not be examined.
Commencement of work Switzerland
Employment relationships between foreign employees and employers based in Switzerland are referred to as commencements of work.
Up to a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year
EU/EFTA citizens pursuing gainful employment in Switzerland for up to a maximum of ninety days per calendar year do not require a special permit. However, they are subject to mandatory notification to the authorities by their Swiss employer. Said notification must occur by the latest one day before starting work.
Notification procedure team at the Office for Economy and Labour
Email: meldeverfahren@vd.zh.ch
Phone: +41 43 259 91 11
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
More than ninety (90) days per calendar year
A residence permit is required for gainful employment in excess of three months, issued by way of registration at the competent commune of residence.
Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich
Phone: +41 43 259 88 00
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Postings
Different from work commencements, posted employees remain subject to the employment contract with their employer in the country of origin. Their work assignment in Switzerland is limited and, as a rule, project-bound. The free movement of persons does not apply unconditionally in such cases.
Up to a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year
Employees assigned by a company based in the EU/EFTA to provide services in Switzerland may do so for up to ninety days per calendar year without needing a permit. However, they are subject to the notification requirement by their EU/EFTA based employer. Said notification to the authorities must occur at the latest eight days before starting work.
Employers must adhere to the salary and working conditions customary for the location, profession and sector.
Notification procedure team at the Office for Economy
Email: meldeverfahren@vd.zh.ch
Phone: +41 43 259 91 11
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
More than ninety days (90) per calendar year
A permit must be applied for prior to the start of work if it is evident that the envisaged work will require a stay of more than ninety days per calendar year. Requests to extend the provision of services beyond ninety days will be granted in exceptional cases only.
The admission of posted employees from EU/EFTA member states must correspond to the general interest of the Swiss economy.
Admission will only be granted to managers, specialists and other qualified workers.
Employers must adhere to the salary and working conditions customary for the location, profession and sector.
Self-employment
Residency in Switzerland
Citizens of EU/EFTA member states have the right to take up gainful self-employment in Switzerland, provided their place of residence is here. However, they must provide evidence of self-employment; the establishment of a company or a business premise with an actual and economically viable business activity must be substantiated by way of accounting records.
Up to a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year
Citizens of EU/EFTA member states pursuing self-employment in Switzerland for up to a maximum of ninety days per calendar do not require a special permit. However, they must notify the authorities of their activity by the latest eight days prior to the start of their self-employed work.
Notification procedure team at the Office for Economy
Email: meldeverfahren@vd.zh.ch
Phone: +41 43 259 91 11
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
More than ninety (90) days per calendar year
A residence permit is required if self-employment in Switzerland is in excess of three months. Said permit is issued by way of registration at the competent commune of residence.
Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich
Contact Us
Phone: +41 43 259 88 00
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No residency in Switzerland
The principle of free movement of persons does not apply unconditionally to citizens of EU/EFTA member states who do not take up residency in Switzerland but nonetheless wish to work in a self-employed capacity.
Up to a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year
Citizens of EU/EFTA member states pursuing self-employment in Switzerland for up to a maximum of ninety days per calendar year may do so without needing a permit. However, they must notify the authorities of their activity at the latest eight days prior to starting work.
Notification procedure team at the Office for Economy
Email: meldeverfahren@vd.zh.ch
Phone: +41 43 259 91 11
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
More than ninety (90) days per calendar year
A work permit is required if the duration of the self-employment activity is in excess of three months. Said permit will only be issued if the activity corresponds to the general interest of the Swiss economy and, furthermore, the person pursuing self-employment is a specialist. In addition, proof of self-employment abroad must also be presented.
Further information
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Contact
Office for Economy - Work Conditions
Hotline
Monday to Friday
9pm to 11 pm
2pm to 4pm
