Important Updates
Important Updates
October 17, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
October 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Issues Guidelines on the New H-1B Fee
October 17, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Mandatory Insurance for Foreign Employees
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Online Temporary Work Permit Submission Process
October 17, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
October 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Issues Guidelines on the New H-1B Fee
October 17, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Mandatory Insurance for Foreign Employees
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Online Temporary Work Permit Submission Process
October 17, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Immigration statistics: Updated information about available quotas in Switzerland

August 9, 2019

Zurich

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Konstantin L. Schmid

Knowledge about the Swiss quota system is helpful in order to understand how work permits in Switzerland are distributed among different groups of nationalities. For companies, this knowledge is indispensable when it comes to recruitment plans and helping to shape these more efficiently.

The arrangement is that whoever wants to live and work in Switzerland for more than 4 months must apply for permits that are subject to a quota. Exceptions to this rule are citizens of the EU27 and EEA  (European Economic Area) countries who are engaged under local work contracts. There are two types of permits subject to a quota: L Short-term Permits and B Residence Permits. These are further divided between citizens of the EU27/EEA countries, Croatian nationals, and nationals of third countries.

Quotas for third-country nationals

The Federal Council announced the new quotas on January 1st, 2019. For third-country nationals the number of B Residence Permits made available was increased by 1,000 in comparison to the previous year, while the number of available L Short-term Permits was reduced by 500, so the total availability for third-country nationals for the 2019 year will be 4,500 B Residence Permits and 4,000 L Short-term Permits. These will be distributed between the federal level and the individual cantons.

According to statistics published by the State Secretariat for migration, by the end of June 2019, 2,631 of the 4,500 B-quota permits and 3,124 of the 4,000 L-quota permits (including the reserve left from the previous year) were still available.

How do quotas work for EU nationals?

EU27/EEA nationals can benefit from agreements on the free movement of persons, but these are only valid when a local work contract is involved. Authorisations for employment for EU/EEA nationals are still subject to quotas during assignments to Switzerland.

For EU27/EEA nationals on assignments, the Federal Council – as in the previous year – authorised 500 B Residence Permits and 3,000 L Short-term Permits. These quotas are released quarterly and are available as a pool between all the cantons of Switzerland.

At the end of June 2019, 351 of the 500 B-quota and 2,024 of the 3,000 L-quota permits were still available to nationals from the EU27/EEA member states.

Quota restrictions: What Romanian, Bulgarian and Croatian nationals should know

Romanian, Bulgarian and Croatian nationals should pay attention to some important pieces of information regarding further quota restrictions.

From the 1st June 2019, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals benefit from full freedom of movement of persons, so they are now the same as the EU27/EEA citizens in terms of local employment and relocation to Switzerland. Since the two countries joined the EU in 2009, the Federal Council made use of the so-called “safeguard clause”, which permitted the introduction of quotas for permanent Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants for a maximum of ten years. This term expired at the end of May 2019.

Of the EU member states, limitations on the free movement of persons now only apply to Croatian nationals. For the year 2019 103 B-Permits and 953 L-Permits are available to Croatian nationals. The quotas are issued quarterly and apply to local employment. For Croatian nationals, the 50 B-quota permits released by the end of June as well as the 476 L-quota permits released to this point have been completely used up. In the next quarter, 50 new B-quota permits and 238 new L-quota permits will be available to Croatian nationals again.

This blog keeps you updated about developments regarding the available quotas and other topics relating to immigration. If you have any questions about the topics above, please contact me or the Fragomen Swiss Immigration Team.

 

Sources:

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/publiservice/statistik/auslaenderstatistik/monitor.html

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Zurich

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.