Admission to switzerland of UK nationals

In accordance with the departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020 as well as the end of the transition phase on December 31, 2020, Switzerland’s Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) no longer applies to the UK.

Preconditions for admission of UK Citizens to Switzerland:
As of January 1, 2021, the admission requirements of the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) apply to newly arriving workers from the UK. Like all other third countries, only qualified executives and highly qualified specialists can be admitted from the UK, as long as this is in the overall economic interest of Switzerland. Individuals with special professional knowledge or skills may be admitted if there is a proven need for their admission. Swiss nationals and EU/EFTA nationals have priority on the Swiss labor market and the salary and working conditions customary for the location, profession and industry must be observed.

An overview of the basic admission criteria for non-EU/EFTA nationals in accordance with the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA):
Basic principles for admission to the labor market

The following requirements must also be met:

Admission must be in Switzerland’s overall economic interest. Only managers, specialists and other qualified workers can be authorized. Priority must be given to Swiss nationals. Priority is given to Swiss nationals, EU/EFTA nationals, permanent residents and foreign nationals entitled to work, temporarily admitted persons and those who have been granted temporary protection. Employers must comply with the salary and working conditions customary in the location, profession and industry.

An application for a work permit must be submitted by the employer to the competent cantonal migration or labor market authority.

Special regulations for British nationals: Since the end of the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the UK in 2021, quotas have applied to UK citizens in the same way as for third-country nationals. In 2025, up to 3,500 workers can still be recruited from the UK (2,100 B permits and 1,400 L permits).

UK citizens can stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you wish to move to Switzerland permanently, you will need to take certain steps to begin your life in this Alpine nation. After entering Switzerland, you must first apply for a long-term residence visa. Immediately after your arrival in Switzerland, you should register with the cantonal immigration and labor market authorities.

Around 3/4 of the labor market in Switzerland consists of three strong, dynamic sectors:
mechanical engineerin
the chemical industry and
the service sector.
In addition, British specialists are sought in the following areas
Medicine and nursing
Technology and engineering
Teachers
Employees in the hospitality industry (especially in the tourist strongholds)

What are the advantages of moving to Switzerland?
Switzerland is a country with a low crime rate, a good labor market and a transport system that is unmatched anywhere in the world. The economy in Switzerland is very strong and will have one of the highest per capita GDP in the world. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Switzerland is the safest country in the world and several Swiss cities such as Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern top the list of the world’s most liveable cities.

Switzerland has long been a country for people who want to live where clean air, a good standard of living and safe streets are a priority. Switzerland is a safe place to live, surrounded by people with strong values and ambitions. Apart from that, switzerland’s income as well as waelth taxes are among the lowest among the industrialized nations. Apart from this, income and wealth taxes in Switzerland are among the lowest in the industrialized world.

Retired UK citizens can be granted a residence permit if the following requirements are met cumulatively:
older than 55 years
Proof of close ties to Switzerland
Proof of sufficient financial means
neither gainfully employed abroad nor in Switzerland

Wealthy UK Citizens:
If you have enough money and are not dependent on state aid, you can live in Switzerland as long as you meet the other residence requirements. You must be able to prove all of this, when applying for a residence permit. To emigrate to Switzerland as a wealthy UK Citizen, it is highly advisable to consult a qualified immigration lawyer who can help you with the specific requirements for the residence permit. It is important to prove sufficient assets (often at least CHF 10 million) and a reasonable standard of living (e.g. CHF 400,000 to 600,000 per year) in order to obtain a residence permit.

Up to 90 days per calendar year for the cross-border provision of services.

Based on the temporary agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom on the mobility of service providers (EAER press release), the online notification procedure will continue to apply for authorizations of cross-border service providers from the UK for up to 90 working days per calendar year (short-term gainful employment). Furthermore, this applies to posted workers from companies based in the UK, regardless of their nationality, and self-employed service providers based in the UK who are UK nationals.