Bulgaria and Romania

Protocol II on extending the free movement agreement to Romania and Bulgaria (EU-2) took force on June 1, 2009. Employees and service providers from these countries will initially be subject to interim provisions, however.

Switzerland has decided to continue restrictions on citizens from Romania or Bulgaria until 2016 at the latest. Thus, citizens from these countries are facing restricted access to the Swiss labor market and are subject to special quotas. Domestic workforce can be given precedence over Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, and salary and work conditions may be checked by the authorities. The same holds for service providers doing business in certain sectors.

When staying in Switzerland without gainful activity (students, pensioners, etc.) and in matters of family reunion, citizens of all EU and EFTA states enjoy the same rights.

For detailed information on short-term employment (for example in public service provision), go to: