Self-Employment in Switzerland: What to Consider

The pandemic has brought a work from anywhere mindset and we have been faced more and more enquiries on the possibility of being self-employed in Switzerland. Switzerland has always been an attractive location for start-ups and individuals looking to set up their own businesses due to the country’s stable economy, low taxes and entrepreneurial mindset.

But, what does it really mean to start your own business in Switzerland, and what are the possibilities if you are a third-country national from an immigration perspective?

Unsurprisingly, Switzerland has very different rules for EU/EFTA and third-country nationals. So, let’s look at this in more detail.

 

EU Nationals 

An EU national who wants to be self-employed in Switzerland could obtain an initial permit for five years if certain conditions are met, such as:

• • • Proving that the company has been successfully registered in Switzerland
    • Registering for and securing social insurance
    • Proving sufficient financial means to reside in Switzerland to show that there is no risk of needing welfare assistance
    • Having a detailed business plan with proof of regular income or accurate forecasts on future income

 

Third-Country Nationals  

For third-country nationals, the requirements are much stricter, and generally, it is much more challenging for this group of nationals coming from abroad to set up a business in Switzerland and obtain a work authorisation for themselves. However, the success of such requests depends on each Canton and the type of business you are looking to set up. In other words: it is at the sole discretion of the authorities.

If you are already in-country and holding a valid permit and wish to now be self-employed, you will need to comply with all the above-listed requirements. Keep in mind that your application will need to be reviewed and approved by the local Cantonal authorities, so expect to draft a very detailed business plan and have a solid financial forecast, as these types of requests are only approved if they are in the economic interest of the country and if the financial conditions and requirements for running the business are met.

As mentioned, the process is more challenging if you are a third-country national living abroad and considering becoming self-employed in Switzerland. In addition to the above requirements, you will need to provide a detailed justification as to why you do need to work in Switzerland—i.e., why you are the best candidate for the position in your company. Furthermore, demonstrating that your company is of great economic interest for the country is a key factor. 

The good news for EU/EFTA as well as third-country nationals is that family members who are entitled to engage in gainful employment may engage in self-employment without undergoing an additional application procedure.

 

Need to Know More? 

For further information about self-employment in Switzerland or if you have any questions or enquiries, please contact Ana Bessa Santos at [email protected]. This blog was published on 8 February 2022, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.