Moving to Switzerland

Swiss retiree residence permit (55+)

Aufenthaltsbewilligung für Rentnerinnen und Rentner (Art. 28 AIG, Art. 25 VZAE)

People aged 55 or over with substantial means and genuine personal ties to Switzerland who will not work.

What you need

• Minimum age 55.
• Special personal ties to Switzerland, e.g. earlier long stays or close relatives in Switzerland. Courts hold that relatives alone are not enough; the applicant needs their own ties.
• Sufficient financial means, judged against the supplementary-benefits (ELG) standard; cantons set their own practice and often expect far more.
• Swiss health insurance is compulsory for residents.

Not for

• Any gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad other than managing your own assets
• People without their own ties to Switzerland
• Anyone expecting an entitlement: approval is discretionary (canton plus SEM)

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Apply to the cantonal migration office of the intended canton (often via the Swiss representation abroad for the entry visa). US, Canadian, UK and Australian citizens enter visa-free for short stays but need the permit approved for residence.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

B permit, usually renewed annually.

Renewal

Annual, while conditions are met.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 10 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Spouse may be included if means cover both; no fixed figure.

Swiss work permit for non-EU nationals

Aufenthaltsbewilligung B / Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung L zur Erwerbstätigkeit für Drittstaatsangehörige

Managers, specialists and highly qualified people whose Swiss employer cannot fill the job from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA.

What you need

• Quota place: 8,500 permits for third-country workers in 2026 (4,500 B and 4,000 L). UK nationals have a separate quota of 3,500 (2,100 B and 1,400 L).
• Priority for Swiss and EU/EFTA workers: the employer must show recruitment efforts failed.
• Qualified workers and specialists (typically a degree plus several years of experience); salary and conditions customary for the place and sector.

Not for

• Self-employed people without major economic benefit
• Remote workers for foreign employers
• Jobs that EU/EFTA candidates can fill

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. The employer applies to the cantonal labour-market authority; SEM approves; the worker then gets a D visa if needed. US and Canadian citizens compete in the general third-country quota; UK citizens have their own quota.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

B permit usually 1 year, renewable; L permit up to 1 year.

Renewal

Renewable while employed.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 10 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Spouse and children can join with adequate housing and income; spouses get work rights.

Swiss residence for wealthy non-workers under 55 (cantonal fiscal interest)

Aufenthaltsbewilligung wegen wichtiger öffentlicher Interessen (Art. 30 Abs. 1 Bst. b AIG), incl. erhebliche kantonale fiskalische Interessen

Wealthy people under 55 whose move would bring a canton significant tax revenue, usually combined with lump-sum taxation.

What you need

• Canton certifies a significant fiscal interest; amounts are set by each canton and negotiated case by case.

Not for

• People without very high income or wealth
• Gainful activity in Switzerland

Where you apply

From inside the country. Through the cantonal tax and migration authorities, usually with a tax adviser; SEM approval needed.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

B permit, renewed annually.

Renewal

Annual.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 10 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Spouse and children may be included.

Art. 30(1)(b) AIG and cantonal fiscal-interest practice were not verified against SEM directives or any canton in this pass. Cantonal minimum tax amounts are not published uniformly.