News and current developments on work and residence permits - December 2024

Key statement
 

Third country nationals

8’500 specialists from non-EU/EFTA countries may be recruited in Switzerland.

• 4'000 quotas for L short-term residence permits
• 4'500 quotas for B residence permits

Service providers from EU/EFTA countries

The maximum number of service providers (i.e. expatriates) from EU/EFTA countries remains unchanged.

• 3'000 quotas for L short-term residence permits
• 500 quotas for B residence permits

Croatian citizens

As per 1st January 2025 Croatian nationals coming to work to Switzerland will benefit again from the full freedom of movement. The safeguard clause for quotas for Croatian citizens is no longer applicable.

UK citizens

The agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the UK is no longer applicable since January 1st, 2021, following the UK's departure from the EU. Up to 3'500 workers may be recruited from the UK next year.

• 1'400 quotas for L short-term residence permits
• 2'100 quotas for B residence permits

The federal council plans to intends to incorporate the separate quota for UK nationals into the regular quota for third-country nationals in the medium term.