EU/EFTA: work in Switzerland
3 tasks in suggested order
1. EU/EFTA: register before starting work
EU/EFTA nationals employed for more than three months generally must register with the municipality of residence within 14 days of arrival and before starting work, and apply for a residence permit.
EU/EFTA employees with employment lasting over 3 months must generally register within 14 days after arrival and before starting work.
Residents'/migration authority of the municipality or canton of residence.
Valid passport/ID plus employment contract or employer confirmation; further cantonal evidence.
Register before starting work. Self-employed persons must additionally provide evidence of self-employment.
Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration
2. EU/EFTA residence permit
If applicable: If the duration/type of work requires a residence permit.
Residence conditions depend on the purpose of stay; cantons are responsible for issuing permits.
The deadline and type of permit depend on the reason for residence and nationality; check the cantonal procedure.
Cantonal migration/residents' authority.
Passport/ID plus evidence of employment, self-employment, study or sufficient means/insurance depending on status.
EU/EFTA and third-country rules differ significantly.
Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration
3. New job: clarify accident insurance
Employees are compulsorily insured against occupational accidents by the employer; with at least eight hours per week for the same employer, cover generally also includes non-occupational accidents.
Report the accident to the employer/insurer as quickly as possible.
Employer or its accident insurer; for unemployed persons Suva, for non-employed persons health insurance with accident cover.
Accident circumstances, date, medical information and employer/insurance details.
From at least 8 hours per week with the same employer, compulsory coverage generally also includes non-occupational accidents; different rules apply below that threshold.
Official source: ch.ch
