--- title: "Switzerland EU free movement requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/switzerland/free-movement-eu/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Switzerland # Switzerland EU free movement **First stay:** 5 yrs EU/EFTA free movement (EU, EEA and EFTA citizens) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (No time limit while the conditions are met; L permit up to 364 days, B permit 5 years and renewable.) - **Renewal:** Renewable - **Who can apply:** 30 nationalities (Citizens of the EU states and of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (EFTA)) - **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse, children or grandchildren under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents and grandparents may join, with adequate housing; family members may work whatever their nationality.) ## Key facts EU free movement is a long-stay route for Switzerland. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Only for passports from 30 countries ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons applies to any national of an EU or EFTA state. - Croatian citizens have full free movement without quotas since 2026. - Employment of up to 3 months needs no permit; the employer notifies the authorities online before work begins. - Jobseekers may stay up to 6 months; the first 3 months need no permit. #### What you must show - Persons not working need sufficient financial means so they do not rely on Swiss welfare benefits. - Persons not working need health and accident insurance covering all risks; health insurance is compulsory within 3 months of arrival. #### Documents - Employees show a valid ID or passport and written confirmation of employment, such as a contract with duration and hours. - The self-employed show a valid ID or passport and proof of self-employed activity and of means to support their family. #### Steps 1. Register with the local commune within 14 days of arrival and apply for a residence permit; for work, before starting work. 2. An L permit is issued for employment of up to 364 days and a B permit for employment of a year or more or open-ended. #### After you arrive - The B permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed for 5 years if the conditions are met. - A settlement permit (C) is issued after 5 years of continuous residence to nationals of the older EU states (EU-15) and EFTA states, and after 10 years to others. ## When you become tax resident How Switzerland decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 30 days in a stay in Switzerland, temporary interruptions disregarded** Tax residence by stay applies from 30 days when the person works in Switzerland (DBG Art. 3(3)(a)). - **At least 90 days in a stay in Switzerland, temporary interruptions disregarded** Tax residence by stay applies from 90 days when the person does not work in Switzerland (DBG Art. 3(3)(b)). - **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income at the federal direct tax scale of 0% up to CHF 15,200 (≈ $18,200) (single) rising to 11.5% above CHF 794,000, (≈ $952,000) and cantons and municipalities add their own income and wealth taxes, so the total burden depends on the place of residence. [All tax rules for Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/switzerland/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Citizens of EU and EFTA states may live and work in Switzerland under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. They register with the commune within 14 days and receive an L or B permit. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) #### Requirements - The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons applies to any national of an EU or EFTA state. (sources 1, 5) - Croatian citizens have full free movement without quotas since 2026. (source 6) - Employment of up to 3 months needs no permit; the employer notifies the authorities online before work begins. (sources 4, 1) - Jobseekers may stay up to 6 months; the first 3 months need no permit. (source 4) - Persons not working need sufficient financial means so they do not rely on Swiss welfare benefits. (sources 2, 3) - Persons not working need health and accident insurance covering all risks; health insurance is compulsory within 3 months of arrival. (sources 3, 4) - Employees show a valid ID or passport and written confirmation of employment, such as a contract with duration and hours. (sources 1, 4) - The self-employed show a valid ID or passport and proof of self-employed activity and of means to support their family. (sources 1, 4) - Register with the local commune within 14 days of arrival and apply for a residence permit; for work, before starting work. (sources 1, 4) - An L permit is issued for employment of up to 364 days and a B permit for employment of a year or more or open-ended. (source 1) - The B permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed for 5 years if the conditions are met. (source 2) - A settlement permit (C) is issued after 5 years of continuous residence to nationals of the older EU states (EU-15) and EFTA states, and after 10 years to others. (source 1) #### Stay - No time limit while the conditions are met; L permit up to 364 days, B permit 5 years and renewable. - Initial permitted stay: 60 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. - Up to 3 months up to 3 months: Employment of up to 3 months by notification, or job search; no permit needed. - L permit (short-term) up to 12 months: Employment contract of up to 364 days. - B permit (resident) up to 60 months: Employment of a year or more or open-ended, self-employment, or sufficient means with insurance; renewable. - C permit (settled): After 5 years (EU-15 and EFTA nationals) or 10 years (others). #### Nationality Citizens of the EU states and of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (EFTA) Open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. #### Work The residence permit doubles as a work permit; holders may change jobs or become self-employed, except in sovereign functions such as the army, police or judiciary. #### Family Spouse, children or grandchildren under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents and grandparents may join, with adequate housing; family members may work whatever their nationality. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [FAQ: Free Movement of Persons Switzerland - EU/EFTA](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta/eu-efta_buerger_schweiz/faq.html) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [B EU/EFTA permit (Resident foreign nationals)](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/eu_efta/ausweis_b_eu_efta.html) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Factsheet: Residing in Switzerland without gainful activity](https://www.sem.admin.ch/dam/sem/en/data/eu/fza/personenfreizuegigkeit/factsheets/fs-nichterwerbstaetige-e.pdf.download.pdf/fs-nichterwerbstaetige-e.pdf) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Working in Switzerland as a foreign national](https://www.ch.ch/en/foreign-nationals-in-switzerland/working-in-switzerland/) · ch.ch (Swiss Confederation) · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Swiss residence permits: application and renewal](https://www.ch.ch/en/documents-and-register-extracts/permits-for-living-in-switzerland/) · ch.ch (Swiss Confederation) · checked 2026-10-10 6. [Thresholds to restrict free movement with Croatia not reached (press release, 14 January 2026)](https://www.efd.admin.ch/en/newnsb/ciU7vNgDGQu6) · Federal Department of Finance (Swiss Federal Council) · checked 2026-10-10 ## EU free movement and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | EU free movement | – | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/free-movement-eu/) Portugal | – | – | Yes | | [Free movement by treaty](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/free-movement-andorra/) Spain | – | 5 yr | Yes | | [Visa-free stay (12 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/visa-free-365d/) Georgia | – | 1 yr | – | | [EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/free-movement-eu/) Italy | – | – | Yes | ## Questions people ask ### How long can I stay on the EU free movement? No time limit while the conditions are met; L permit up to 364 days, B permit 5 years and renewable. ### Can I work on the EU free movement? The residence permit doubles as a work permit; holders may change jobs or become self-employed, except in sovereign functions such as the army, police or judiciary. ### Can I bring my family on the EU free movement? Spouse, children or grandchildren under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents and grandparents may join, with adequate housing; family members may work whatever their nationality. ### Who can apply for the EU free movement? Citizens of the EU states and of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (EFTA) Open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. ### How are EU free movement holders taxed in Switzerland? No special regime in our records is tied to the EU free movement. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income at the federal direct tax scale of 0% up to CHF 15,200 (≈ $18,200) (single) rising to 11.5% above CHF 794,000, (≈ $952,000) and cantons and municipalities add their own income and wealth taxes, so the total burden depends on the place of residence. ## Similar visas elsewhere [🇫🇷 EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/free-movement-eu/) [🇬🇧 Visa-free stay (6 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/visa-free-180d/) [🇦🇱 Open Balkan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/free-movement-open-balkan/) [🇭🇺 Visa-free stay (4 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/visa-free-120d/) [🇷🇸 Open Balkan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/free-movement-open-balkan/) [🇦🇲 Visa-free stay (6 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/armenia/visa-free-180d/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [FAQ: Free Movement of Persons Switzerland - EU/EFTA](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta/eu-efta_buerger_schweiz/faq.html) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [B EU/EFTA permit (Resident foreign nationals)](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/eu_efta/ausweis_b_eu_efta.html) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Factsheet: Residing in Switzerland without gainful activity](https://www.sem.admin.ch/dam/sem/en/data/eu/fza/personenfreizuegigkeit/factsheets/fs-nichterwerbstaetige-e.pdf.download.pdf/fs-nichterwerbstaetige-e.pdf) · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Working in Switzerland as a foreign national](https://www.ch.ch/en/foreign-nationals-in-switzerland/working-in-switzerland/) · ch.ch (Swiss Confederation) · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Swiss residence permits: application and renewal](https://www.ch.ch/en/documents-and-register-extracts/permits-for-living-in-switzerland/) · ch.ch (Swiss Confederation) · checked 2026-10-10 6. [Thresholds to restrict free movement with Croatia not reached (press release, 14 January 2026)](https://www.efd.admin.ch/en/newnsb/ciU7vNgDGQu6) · Federal Department of Finance (Swiss Federal Council) · checked 2026-10-10 Tracked since 2026-10-11. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.