Work permit

The Agreement on the Freizügigkeitsabkommen with the EU/EFTA allows you to live and work in Switzerland.

You do not need a work permit for Switzerland, but you do need a residence permit. You will receive this if you present a written employment contract (fixed-term or indefinite) or a similar document.

Self-employment

If you enter Switzerland to take up self-employment, you must  provide proof of self-employment that secures your livelihood.

Further information: Fact sheet on self-employment EU/EFTA

If you work for a Swiss company for a maximum of 3 months per year, you do not need a work permit. All you have to do is sign up. This is referred to as short-term service provision. These would be, for example:

• Servicing
• Repair and maintenance work
• Implementation of courses and seminars

You can register here (no later than the day before the start of work):
Notification procedure State Secretariat for Migration

The Agreement on the Freizügigkeitsabkommen with the EU/EFTA allows you to live and work in Switzerland.

There are no restrictions for the year 2025 if you want to work in Switzerland. 

It is possible that maximum numbers for Croatian workers will be reintroduced in 2026. 

Since 1 January 2021, British nationals who want to work in Switzerland for the first time have been treated in the same way as third-country nationals. 

To work in Switzerland, you need a permit from the Migrationsamt and the Labour Market Authority.

You can only work in Switzerland if you are well qualified, for example as:

• Executive / Manager
• Specialist
• Professional with several years of professional experience

The number of people admitted to the labour market is limited.

Your future employer must prove that there are no people in Switzerland and in the EU and EFTA countries who are suitable for the position to be filled (nationals have priority).

In order to work, you need a work permit in addition to a residence permit.

You can work in Switzerland with Schutzstatus S : Information from the SEM. Your employer must apply for a work permit before you start work.

This application can be submitted to the Canton of St.Gallen immediately after obtaining Schutzstatus S : Information Canton of St.Gallen

You can also work independently. To do this, you must apply for a work permit from the Canton of St.Gallen before starting work. The canton will check whether you have the money and experience to do the planned work.

During the procedure, the labour market authority may request further documents necessary for the granting of a permit.

Please send inquiries about the processing status by e-mail to schutzstatus@sg.ch. 

The organisation REPAS helps people with protection status S in the canton of St.Gallen to find a job. The social welfare office of your municipality of residence registers you with REPAS. 

Recognised refugees (B permit) and temporarily admitted persons (F permit) are allowed to work in any job they find. 

All you or your employer have to do is submit a report to the Office of Economy and Labour and comply with Swiss wage and working conditions. After signing up, you can start working immediately. 

The organisation REPAS helps refugees and temporarily admitted persons in the canton of St.Gallen to find a job. The social welfare office of your municipality of residence registers you with REPAS.