Getting help with living in Switzerland
Help from the Swiss government
For any questions about moving to or living in Switzerland, you may be able to get help from:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Berne cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Switzerland.
Professional help in Switzerland
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Switzerland, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Switzerland to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Switzerland. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Switzerland before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which Swiss visa or residence permit you need to live in Switzerland.
You can get a visa or residence permit to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with family in Switzerland
- volunteer
- complete an internship
For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on:
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you must register as a resident in Switzerland. Contact your local municipality, known in Switzerland as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’. The municipality will make an appointment for you to register with your local cantonal immigration and employment market authority
If you have any problems or questions when registering, contact an English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland.
Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit
Contact the civil registry of your local municipality for information on how to:
- extend your visa or residence permit
- replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit
In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.
The Swiss government also offers guidance on extending a Swiss residence permit.
Settlement permits
You may be able to apply for a settlement permit (‘C’ permit) in Switzerland if you have lived there legally and continuously for at least 10 years. This allows you to live and work in Switzerland indefinitely.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, contact your local cantonal immigration and employment market authority.
Citizenship
Switzerland recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Swiss citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Swiss citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Berne cannot help with Swiss visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Residency if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021
If you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.
Read the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration’s information on UK citizens’ residency rights in Switzerland.
Residence permits if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021
If you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a biometric residence or settlement permit.
If your permit was issued before 1 January 2021 and your residence status has not changed since you moved to Switzerland, your permit should be marked (in German, French and Italian) with the words “In accordance with the CH-UK agreement of 25.02.2020”. This shows that you have rights under the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.
For more information, read the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration’s information on UK citizens’ residency rights in Switzerland.
Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES),you’ll need a Swiss L, B, C or G biometric residence permit when entering or leaving Switzerland. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Switzerland or other Schengen countries.
Renewing your residence permit if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021
You’ll need to renew your residence permit after:
- 1 year, for short term residence (‘L’) permits
- 5 years, for residence (‘B’) permits
- 10 years, for settlement (‘C’) permits
Contact the civil registry office of your local municipality for information on how to renew your residence permit. In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.
The Swiss government also offers guidance on extending a Swiss residence permit.
Bringing family members to Switzerland if you moved there before 1 January 2021
The Swiss government’s information on UK citizens’ residency rights in Switzerland explains which family members can join you in Switzerland.
Contact your local cantonal immigration and employment market authority for more information on:
- how and when they should apply for their residence document
- fees and processing times
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
If you have a Swiss residence permit or settlement permit, the time you spend in Switzerland does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.
Always carry your passport and residence or settlement permit when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence or settlement permit, or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.
If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Switzerland using your EU or EFTA passport.
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
The Swiss authorities recommend that children aged 17 and under carry a letter of parental consent if they’re travelling out of Switzerland without their parent or legal guardian.
Contact the Embassy of Switzerland in London for more information.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.
British nationals legally resident in Switzerland, and who have a Swiss L, B, C or G residence permit, do not need to register with the EES.
If you’re legally resident in Switzerland but do not have one of these residence permits, contact your local municipality for information on how to get one. In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.
You can also read guidance on:
For more information on how the EES works, read:
Healthcare in Switzerland
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Unless you have UK-funded healthcare in Switzerland, you must buy insurance with a Swiss health insurance company within 3 months of arriving.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on health insurance in Switzerland.
Working in Switzerland
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Switzerland, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Switzerland for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you.
You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on working in Switzerland as a foreign national.
You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Switzerland legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
If you live in Switzerland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Switzerland, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Switzerland
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
The Swiss government provides information on driving in Switzerland, including how to:
For more information read guidance on road travel in Switzerland, in safety and security in the travel advice for Switzerland.
Driving in Switzerland using a foreign driving licence
You can drive in Switzerland for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:
- the UK
- Gibraltar
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- the Isle of Man
You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Switzerland.
Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence
To continue driving after 12 months, you must exchange your driving licence. You can do this at your local driver and vehicle licensing office (in German, French or Italian).
For Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licenses, you may need to take a driving test.
You do not need to take a test to exchange a UK licence.
You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Swiss licence to drive legally.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for:
For more information:
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Switzerland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Swiss Federal Tax Administration or your cantonal tax administration (in German, French or Italian) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Switzerland. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland.
National Insurance
Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.
Claiming a Swiss pension
Contact the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office to find out whether you can claim a retirement income in Switzerland.
You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on retirement in Switzerland.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
Claiming Swiss benefits
You may be entitled to some Swiss benefits.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in Switzerland
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
You may need to get authorisation from the Swiss government to buy property in Switzerland. Read guidance on purchasing property in Switzerland as a foreign national.
If you already own a property in Switzerland, your property rights are protected under the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Switzerland
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Swiss elections
You may be eligible to vote in some cantonal and communal ballots.
You cannot vote in Swiss federal elections unless you hold Swiss citizenship.
For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on voting rights in Switzerland.
Studying in Switzerland
If you plan to study in Switzerland, you must meet all visa and residency requirements before you travel.
You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Switzerland legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. You’re still eligible for most of the same student support, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information, read guidance on:
You can also contact:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on family and work.
Schools and education
The European Commission provides information about the school system in Switzerland.
All children aged 4 to 15 must attend school or home school in Switzerland.
For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on education in Switzerland.
Childcare
The Swiss cantons and municipalities are responsible for childcare services in Switzerland.
For more information, read guidance on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Switzerland, register the birth with the Swiss authorities.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Switzerland, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
The Swiss government also provides information on:
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Swiss government offers guidance on:
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland.
Documents for British people in Switzerland
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Switzerland, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Switzerland, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
If the NHS funds your healthcare in Switzerland through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Swiss authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
