Planning to Work at Eurovision 2025? Understanding Swiss Work Permit Rules for Artists and Crew Members

With the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 fast approaching in Switzerland, Fragomen is highlighting key immigration and work authorisation considerations for artists, crew members and technical staff involved in the event. Switzerland provides certain exemptions from standard work permit requirements for individuals in the artistic sector, and this guide outlines the relevant compliance rules.

For those planning to attend the contest as spectators, refer to Fragomen’s earlier blog from February: Planning to Attend Eurovision 2025? What You Need to Know About Swiss Entry Rules for Visitors.

Who Qualifies as an Artist or Crew Member?

• • • Artists are those who have a creative or interpretative activity, such as painters, sculptors, poets, writers, actors and ballet dancers on stage or screen, stage and film managers, as well as set designers, make-up artists and prompters. Artists may also include musical and vocal performers, especially orchestral players, opera actors, composers, conductors, choir directors, circus and variety theater performers.
    • Crew members include sound engineers, lighting technicians and support staff, such as builders and production crew.

Work Permit Requirements for Artists and Performers

In Switzerland, any artistic activity carried out for an employer based in Switzerland, or for a foreign employer established in Switzerland, is considered work and requires authorisation from day one. Therefore, it is necessary to apply for a work and residence permit to enter Switzerland ahead of time.

Exceptions

• • • EU/EEA/UK-based employees can make use of an online notification system to be compliant to work up to 90 days in a calendar year.
    • Stage artists, including musicians performing at concerts in public halls/stadiums/festivals under a non-employment arrangement (where the Swiss partner is the event organiser providing infrastructure, ticket sales, marketing, etc. and the artists are solely responsible for the musical programme), are exempt from work permits for up to eight calendar days per year.

Work Permit Requirements for Crew Members

Like artists, technicians and crew members require authorisation from day one.

Exceptions

• • • EU/EEA/UK based foreign technicians and stage builders can work up to 90 days in a calendar year using the online notification system.
    • Foreign technicians and stage builders outside of the EU/EEA/UK are exempt for up to eight days in a calendar year; a valid work permit is required after this period.

Exemptions and Special Cases

Self-employed individuals who do not transfer their domicile to Switzerland, or who work for an employer based abroad, are not considered to be employed in the country and are exempt from an authorisation. In this constellation:

• • • Non-EU nationals could remain in Switzerland up to 90 days within a rolling period of 180 days, under the Schengen rules, without a work permit.
    • EU nationals can remain in Switzerland for up to three months without needing a work permit.

For longer projects:

• • • Artists can obtain a work and residence permit for up to eight months without being subject to a quota or an approval process.
    • For employments lasting longer than eight months, Swiss employers must apply for a standard work permit, subject to normal immigration rules.

Key Compliance Tips for Eurovision 2025 Participants

• • • Artists and singers entering Switzerland for the event for a maximum duration of eight days do not require a work authorization.
    • Crew members and technicians coming from abroad do require to have a valid work authorisation in place from day one.
    • Make use of the online notification system.
    • Apply for work permits early to avoid last minute delays.
    • Ensure all staff and crew have valid work authorisations to avoid compliance issues.

Need to know more?

If you have any questions or need assistance with work permits, exemptions or Swiss immigration requirements, please contact Senior Immigration Manager Ana Bessa Santos at [email protected].

This blog was published on 10 April 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.