Working abroad
Working in Switzerland: L and B permits, quotas and basic rights
The rules for entering the Swiss labour market: free movement for EU/EFTA citizens, limited access for others, and the minimum rights in the Code of Obligations and the Labour Act.
Who this is for
People who want to work in Switzerland as employees, including cross-border commuters, whether EU/EFTA citizens or nationals of third countries. It does not cover self-employment, study or asylum.
In short
- EU/EFTA citizens benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP): with a job contract they get an L, B or G permit.
- Access for third-country nationals is limited: annual quotas, priority for Swiss and EU/EFTA workers, qualified profiles only.
- There is no federal minimum wage; some cantons have one, and many sectors have collective labour agreements (CLAs).
- Minimum holidays: 4 weeks a year (5 up to age 20). Maximum hours: 45 or 50 a week depending on the sector.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and have exceptions. Always check the official text in the sources below and, for your own case, talk to a trade union, a qualified lawyer or the competent public authority.
EU/EFTA citizens: free movement
Switzerland is not in the EU, but the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) allows EU/EFTA citizens to work there. [1] In practice, depending on the length of the contract:
- up to 3 months or 90 days per calendar year: the online notification procedure is enough, done by the employer at the latest the day before work starts; [2]
- L permit (short-term residents) for contracts of less than one year;
- B permit (residents) for contracts of at least one year or open-ended;
- G permit for cross-border commuters, who live in an EU/EFTA state and return home at least once a week.
If you move, you must register with your municipality of residence within the deadline set by the canton: the municipality or cantonal migration office issues the permit.
Third-country nationals: limited access
For non-EU/EFTA nationals the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) applies. [3] In summary:
- the Federal Council sets annual quotas of permits; [4]
- the employer must show it could not find a suitable worker in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA (priority); [5]
- pay and conditions must match those usual for the place and sector; [6]
- as a rule only managers, specialists and other qualified workers are admitted. [7]
The employer files the application with the cantonal authority; approval by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) follows. Official information: sem.admin.ch. Be wary of anyone promising permits for money: see fair recruitment.
Recognition of qualifications
Regulated professions require recognition of your diploma. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) indicates the competent authority for each profession. See also recognition of qualifications.
Pay: no federal minimum wage
Switzerland has no national minimum wage. Some cantons have introduced one for their territory, including Neuchâtel, Jura, Geneva, Ticino and Basel-Stadt. [8] The amounts change every year: check them on the canton's website. In many sectors minimum pay is set by collective labour agreements (CLAs), some of which are declared generally binding.
Working hours
The Labour Act (ArG/LTr) sets the maximum working week: 45 hours for workers in industrial firms and for office, technical and sales staff in large retail businesses; 50 hours for all other workers. [9] Some categories, such as senior managers, are excluded from the Act.
Holidays
The Code of Obligations guarantees at least 4 weeks of holiday a year, and 5 weeks up to age 20. [10]
Dismissal
An open-ended contract can be terminated with notice: normally 1 month in the first year of service, 2 months from the second to the ninth year, and 3 months after that, unless other terms are agreed in writing. [11] Dismissal is generally free but must not be abusive (for example retaliation); an abusive dismissal gives a right to compensation, not reinstatement. [12] Protection periods apply during illness, accident or pregnancy.
Who to contact
- Cantonal labour inspectorate for hours and safety.
- Conciliation authorities and cantonal labour courts for disputes.
- Tripartite commissions and CLA joint committees for underpayment.
- Trade unions for advice.
Checklist
- Check which permit applies to you based on contract length and nationality.
- Ask for written information on the job (pay, hours, role).
- Check whether a CLA or a cantonal minimum wage applies.
- Check on your payslip that you are registered for AHV/AVS and occupational pension.
- Register with your municipality within the cantonal deadline.