L EU/EFTA permit (Short-term residents)

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

EU-25/EFTA nationals are entitled to this permit provided they are in possession of an employment contract valid from three up to twelve months. Employment contracts of less than 3 months’ duration within a calendar year are not subject to a permit but are regulated via a registration procedure. For nationals of EU-2 member states (Bulgaria and Romania), all employment is still subject to a permit. In addition, the temporary regulations will apply until approximately 2016. The period of validity of the permit is identical to the term of the employment contract. It can be extended for a total period of less than twelve months. Provided the new quota has not been exhausted, the permit can be renewed after an overall stay of one year without foreign nationals having to interrupt their residence in Switzerland. L EU/EFTA permits without gainful employment are granted to job seekers from all EU/EFTA states. However, this practice does not create an entitlement to social insurance.