Work Permit Requirements Remain for EU Nationals Despite Expiration of Quota Limits

As reported in our May 2 client alert, the Swiss government will not renew its annual quotas on the employment of most EU nationals, but EU nationals seeking to work in Switzerland will still require work permits. Bulgarian, Croatian and Romanian nationals must still obtain work permits and will continue to be subject to annual quotas. 

The expiring quotas limited the number of long-term B-Permits that could be issued to most EU nationals for work under Swiss employment contracts. The quotas expired on April 30 for EU-8 states and will expire on May 31 for EU-17 states. 

The EU-8 countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The EU-17 countries are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. 

What This Means for Employers 

Once the quotas expire, there will no longer be a limit on the number of EU nationals who can enter Switzerland for work, at least until the Swiss government implements a February referendum that seeks to limit immigration from EU states. 

In practice this means that, depending on the Swiss canton, most EU nationals who will work under local employment contracts can begin working immediately after completing in-country registration, even if their permit application is still in process. Those who will work while remaining on their home employment contract must obtain a permit prior to starting work in all cantons. Bulgarian, Croatian and Romanian nationals must wait for an approved work permit before they can start working in Switzerland. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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