Cross-border commuter permit for Switzerland

Would you like to work as a cross-border commuter in Switzerland? Then you need a cross-border commuter permit (G permit). The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU simplifies living and working conditions for EU citizens. In addition, there is mutual recognition of professional qualifications, the right to purchase real estate and the coordination of social security systems. The same regulations also apply to nationals of EFTA countries.

You must always have your cross-border commuter permit with you while working in Switzerland. It is not valid as an identity document. If you are checked at the border, you will need an identity card or passport.

If you decide to relocate to Switzerland, other forms of work permit are required. The different types of work permit or residence permit are explained below.

Cross-border commuter permit (G permit)

Place of residence in Austria. Place of work in Switzerland.

Prerequisites

• Citizen of an EU or EFTA state
• Residence in Austria
• Workplace in Switzerland
• Return to the place of residence at least once a week

Responsible body

• The migration or immigration office of the canton in which your future place of work is located
• Depending on the canton, sometimes additionally: the cantonal employment office

TIP: As a rule, your new employer will take care of applying for the cross-border commuter permit.

Procedure

Option 1: Cross-border commuter permit (cross-border commuter permit) with a maximum validity of one year
If your agreed employment period is shorter than 12 months, the competent authority will limit your cross-border commuter permit to the duration of the employment contract.

Option 2: Cross-border commuter permit (cross-border commuter permit) valid for five years
If your agreed employment period is longer than one year or you even have an open-ended contract, you will receive a cross-border commuter permit valid for a maximum of five years. You can have the permit extended for a further five years at a time.

Note: An extension should be applied for in good time before the expiry date. Change of job, change of address abroad and changes to marital status must also be reported to the competent authority.

Required documents

• Employment contract
• Proof of an Austrian main residence
• Copy of your identity card or passport
• a current passport photo

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Short-term residence permit (L permit)

Main residence in Austria. Place of residence and place of work in Switzerland. Valid for a maximum of one year.

Short-term residents are foreign nationals who are staying in Switzerland for a limited period of time, usually less than one year, for a specific purpose of residence with or without gainful employment.

EU/EFTA nationals are entitled to this permit if they can prove that they have been employed in Switzerland for between three months and one year. Employment relationships of less than three months per calendar year do not require a permit for EU/EFTA nationals; these are to be regulated via the so-called notification procedure. The period of validity of the permit corresponds to that of the employment contract. It can be extended up to a total duration of less than 12 months.

L EU/EFTA permits without gainful employment are issued to jobseekers from all EU/EFTA states, but this does not create any social security entitlements.

As a rule, employees from Austria rent an apartment in Switzerland for this period. They then live there during the week. At the weekend, short-term residents return to their family in Austria. Short-term residents can keep their main residence in Austria during this time.

Due to the main residence in Austria, a similar regulation applies for taxation as for the tax for cross-border commuters.

Residence permit (permit B)

Main residence in Switzerland. Place of work in Switzerland. Valid for up to 5 years.

Residents are foreign nationals who are staying in Switzerland for a longer period of time for a specific purpose, with or without gainful employment.

The residence permit for nationals of EU/EFTA member states (EU/EFTA nationals) is valid for five years. It is issued if the EU/EFTA national provides proof of permanent employment or employment for a fixed term of at least 365 days.

The residence permit is extended for five years if the foreign national meets the requirements. However, the first extension may be limited to one year if the person concerned has been involuntarily unemployed for more than twelve consecutive months. Persons without gainful employment from all EU/EFTA states are entitled to a B EU/EFTA permit without gainful employment if they can prove that they have sufficient financial resources and adequate health and accident insurance.

Unlike cross-border commuters or short-term residents, residents no longer have the option of taking out health insurance in Austria. In any case, residents require Swiss health insurance in accordance with the KVG.

Most important requirements

• Proof of an employment contract (at least one year or indefinite)
• Proof of an apartment / house in Switzerland
• In some cantons, a deregistration certificate for the primary residence (e.g. Austria) is also required

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Settlement permit (C permit)

Main residence in Switzerland. Place of work in Switzerland. Validity unlimited.

Settled persons are foreign nationals who have been granted a permanent residence permit after residing in Switzerland for five or ten years. The right of residence is unlimited and may not be subject to any conditions. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) determines the earliest date from which the competent cantonal authorities may issue the settlement permit.

In principle, any Austrian citizen who has worked in Switzerland for a total of at least ten years or who has been in possession of a (short-term) residence permit for at least five years without interruption can apply for a permanent residence permit (C permit).

Further requirements for the approval of the C permit are

• No criminal or official registration or prosecution
• No receipt of social assistance within the last 3 years
• Valid employment contract

The Austrian citizen with a permanent residence permit has moved the center of his life to Switzerland, i.e. his family now also lives in Switzerland, he has a Swiss bank account and he pays his taxes in Switzerland. In other words, they are virtually on an equal footing with Swiss citizens. The only exception: the permanent residence permit does not include the right to vote.

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Family reunification for EU/EFTA nationals living in Switzerland

You live in Switzerland and would like your family to come to Switzerland.

If you have an EU/EFTA residence permit in Switzerland, the following members of your family (regardless of their nationality) may benefit from the provisions on family reunification and move to Switzerland:

• Wife, husband, registered partnership,
• Children and grandchildren up to the age of 21 or older if they are granted maintenance,
• Parents and grandparents, provided they are granted maintenance (the need must actually exist before entry and must also be able to be proven).
• If you are in education (school, university), only your spouse and dependent children may benefit from family reunification.

You must fulfill the following conditions in order to be eligible for family reunification:

• According to Swiss customs, the apartment must be large enough for the whole family.
• Self-employed or non-employed persons: You must provide proof that you have the necessary financial means to support your family members.

Family members must present the following documents when entering the country:

• a valid identity card or passport,
• if necessary, a visa (for persons who do not belong to an EU/EFTA state and who require a visa in accordance with entry regulations);
• a certificate from your home country stating that you are related to them,
• in the case of dependants, a confirmation from the home country or the country of origin stating that you are responsible for the maintenance of this relative must be submitted.

The residence permit of your family members has the same period of validity as your residence permit. The spouse and children of EU/EFTA nationals may also take up employment in Switzerland. Exception: If the spouse and/or children of Croatian nationals hold a short-term residence permit L, taking up employment is subject to authorization (prior check of salary/employment documents). conditions).

What applies to third-country nationals?

If you come from a country outside the EU/EFTA area (a “third country”), you must be specially qualified to work in Switzerland. The number of work permits is limited and depends, among other things, on your qualifications and profession.

Your future employer must obtain a work permit for you. They must show that they were unable to find a suitable person for your position on the Swiss labor market. In principle, this is only possible for well-qualified specialists – primarily people with a university degree and several years of professional experience.

Further information on“Working in Switzerland”.