EU-8
Attention: Citizens from EU-8 The Federal Council decided on 18 April 2012 to invoke the safeguard clause provided for in the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the free movement of persons, applying it to the EU-8 Member States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary). From 1 May 2012, category B residence permits granted to citizens of these countries will be subject to quotas. This measure is to remain in force for a year and applies to persons who come to live in Switzerland to become self-employed and to persons who possess an employment contract in Switzerland that is valid for a year or more. For further information go to: |
The agreement with the European Union on the free movement of persons was extended by a supplementary protocol. Under this Protocol I, effective since April 1, 2006, the free movement agreement has been extended to the ten EU member states which joined the EU in 2004. Since May 1st 2011, EU-8 citizens of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia benefit from the full free movement of persons (same regulation as EU-17/EFTA).
Citizens of Cyprus or Malta have full rights to freedom of movement and free access to the Swiss labor since June 1, 2007. Cf.:
For detailed information on short-term employment (for example in public service provision), go to:
When immigrating in order to start up a business in Switzerland or to stay here without gainful activity (students, pensioners, etc.), and in matters of family reunion, citizens of all EU and EFTA states enjoy the same rights:
Go the right hand side of this page for information on the various residence categories and points to consider if you are planning to move to Switzerland.