Switzerland is a part of the European Economic Area, therefore even though it is not a member of the EU, residents of the Old Continent can relocate here with less complicated conditions. These also apply to citizens who relocate from the UK to Switzerland.
The fact that the UK’s exit from the European Union will not have an impact on UK residents who choose to leave their home nations and relocate to Switzerland is a huge advantage. Our staff is here to assist you if you require legal assistance in order to immigrate to Switzerland from the UK.
The key procedures and available visas for UK nationals relocating to Switzerland are described here by our immigration lawyer in Switzerland.
Criteria for UK nationals traveling to Switzerland with a visa
British nationals who wish to reside in Switzerland for extended periods of time must apply for one of the following visa categories:
a B residence permit, which can be obtained based on a work contract that lasts longer than 12 months; a C long-term or settlement permit, which allows for an indefinite stay and needs to be renewed every 5 years; a Ci residence permit, which is issued to EU/EEA citizens who work for governmental organizations. An L short-term residence permit, which has a maximum validity period of 1 year.
To relocate to Switzerland, you must complete the following two steps: apply for a work, study, or family visa and get the required resident permit. Depending on your country of origin, our immigration attorneys can assist you in applying for the appropriate kind of visa. Please contact us at any time for more information about our services in detail.
When relocating to Switzerland from the UK, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the validity length of the L and B short-term residence permits will coincide with the duration of the employment contract. For those who wish to operate as independent contractors and launch small enterprises in Switzerland, the B residence permit is a good choice.
Our lawyers can provide you with guidance if you’re thinking about immigrating to Switzerland and need to know what kinds of residence permits you’re eligible for. We can offer complete support for moving from the UK to Switzerland.
paperwork needed to go from the UK to Switzerland
The following must be prepared and submitted to the Swiss Embassy in the UK, although the documentation required of a UK citizen moving to Switzerland primarily depends on the cause for the relocation:
the applicant’s valid passport (it is advised that this be valid for at least six months at the time of application), proof of a rental agreement (this requires the applicant to find housing before traveling to Switzerland), a recent passport-sized photo, and supporting documentation attesting to the reason for the relocation (business plan, work contract, etc.).
Regarding the most affordable cantons to relocate to, our immigration attorney in Switzerland can provide you with a variety of information. We may also help with the planning involved in submitting an application for a Swiss residency permit. This infographic also explains how to relocate from the UK to Switzerland:
How to apply for a work permit as a British national
Many people decide to migrate to Switzerland based only on job due to the country’s excellent salaries and high standards of living.
Should you plan on working in Switzerland for longer than eight days a year, you will need an employment permit. To work in Switzerland, non-Swiss nationals are typically required to get an immigration authorization, which can be in the form of a work permit or a work and residency permit.
The primary prerequisite for anyone looking to relocate to Switzerland from the United Kingdom is a Swiss work visa. The Swiss work visa, also called the national or D-visa, is one of the long-stay visas. The holder of the visa is entitled to work in Switzerland for the duration that it is valid.
You are eligible to apply for a work visa in Switzerland if you meet the following requirements:
You are a seasoned expert with several years of experience in your field; you have a job offer from a Swiss company; you meet the requirements for Swiss work permits.
You can apply for a work visa in Switzerland if you meet these requirements and your employer is asking for your residence permit.
One of the main routes for immigration to Switzerland from the United Kingdom is through employment; if you require assistance with the application process, our experts can assist you.
In most circumstances, your nationality will determine your chances of obtaining a resident visa in Switzerland. In this context, the Swiss government primarily distinguishes between EU/EFTA citizens and so-called third-state nationals, or inhabitants of any country outside of the EU/EFTA.
In contrast, it is quite easy to request a B permit for Switzerland from a nation that is a part of the EU or EFTA. Candidates may initially travel to Switzerland in order to search for employment, for a maximum of ninety days. If they are able to get adequate employment for the duration of this year or longer, they may apply for a B permit.
moving via family reunion from the United Kingdom to Switzerland
If you live in Switzerland, you may be allowed to invite family members to live with you, depending on your residency status. In this way, a family reunion visa can be acquired.
When requesting a family reunion visa, the following documents need to be sent in:
the application form; a valid passport; four passport-sized biometric photos that are no more than six months old; Form B of an international marriage certificate, both original and copies for the spouse; original and copies for the children of birth certificates that have been translated and notarized; three copies of the Swiss identity card, passport, or residency permit of the spouse or partner.
a portion of the original and copy personal registration certificate; the criminal history of the Swiss resident; and an original and copy domicile certificate.
New family members will have to prove a certain degree of linguistic competency when they seek for a Swiss residency card, according new laws announced in 2019.
To enable family reunions, applicants might need to provide proof of their level A1 language skills. If not, they have to show that they are enrolled in a course that will allow them to become fluent in the language. These restrictions do not apply to L permit holders’ families.
If you choose to come back to this country to be with your family, you can contact our Swiss immigration lawyers for information on the application process.
Moving from the UK to Switzerland to Retire
For British nationals, Switzerland offers an excellent quality of life and is a terrific option for retirement. It is important to note that, for those who are interested, the Central European nation offers a special visa called the retirement visa.
British nationals must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Swiss retirement visa:
They are not under 55 years old.
They are self-sufficient financially, they have to spend the most of the year in Switzerland, and they need to get health insurance.
Concerning the paperwork needed to be submitted in order to receive the visa, these are:
the retirement visa application; a current passport; a bank statement proving sufficient funds; and a health insurance policy.
Swiss permanent residence for British nationals
Applying for a permanent residency card can increase the likelihood that moving to Switzerland from the UK will be a firm decision. This is the equivalent of the C settlement permit, which British nationals can acquire following five years of continuous residence in Switzerland. Our lawyers can assist you in obtaining the necessary paperwork, which are identical to those needed to apply for a short-term resident visa.
Citizenship in Switzerland may be applied for by those holding a C permit after ten years of residency and satisfactory integration. You can depend on our immigration lawyer for assistance if you need it when applying for any of them. If you wish to travel to Switzerland with family members, we can also help.
Help in relocating from the UK to Switzerland
UK nationals wishing to move to Switzerland can take use of our immigration attorneys’ comprehensive assistance, which includes:
help in preparing immigration documents in accordance with the type of residence permit sought; guidance in registering with the cantonal authorities upon arrival in Switzerland; assistance in applying for long-term residency and the renewal of temporary residence permits. explain the regulations applicable to their specific cases when moving to Switzerland.
It is significant to remember that individuals traveling from the UK to Switzerland have 14 days from the time of entry to register with the employment and immigration authorities in the canton in which they intend to reside.
You can discuss your choices with our lawyers if you wish to immigrate to Switzerland from the UK or any other nation. We can also help with the investment process to get Swiss citizenship. Here’s our video on the same topic:
foreign nationals residing in Switzerland
A report released by SwissInfo.ch states that at the end of 2015 and 2016, immigrants made up 25% of the population of Switzerland.
Two million of the 8,3 million citizens of the nation were foreigners, and 80 percent of them were from EU nations like Germany, France, and Italy;
In 2016, 396,000 foreign nationals were born in Switzerland, making up 7% of the country’s total foreign population.
Please get in touch with our solicitors if you need help moving from the UK to Switzerland.