Long-stay visas (Type D)
Swiss EU/EFTA Free Movement Residence Permit (Permit B EU/EFTA)
A five-year permit for EU/EFTA nationals coming to live, work or be self-employed in Switzerland under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.
Important information
- Issued by
- Cantonal migration office
- Permit type
- Permit B EU/EFTA (or L EU/EFTA for short contracts)
- Duration
- 5 years, renewable for a further 5 years
- First renewal may be limited to 1 year after 12+ months of involuntary unemployment
- Eligibility
- Nationals of an EU or EFTA member state
- Employment condition
- Contract of at least 12 months or of indefinite duration for a B permit
- Quota
- None for EU/EFTA nationals under free movement
Who it's for
- Citizens of EU member states and of EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) moving to Switzerland
- Employed workers, the self-employed, and economically inactive people with sufficient means
- Family members of EU/EFTA nationals joining them in Switzerland
Requirements
- Nationality of an EU or EFTA state and a valid passport or ID card
- For employees: an employment contract of 12 months or more (or open-ended) for a B permit
- For the self-employed: proof of a genuine self-employed activity in Switzerland
- For the economically inactive: sufficient financial means and comprehensive health and accident insurance
- Registration with the commune of residence
What you can do
- Live and work anywhere in Switzerland, changing employer, job or canton freely
- Take up self-employment or move between employment and self-employment
- Bring family members under free-movement family-reunification rules
- Build towards a C settlement permit, generally after five years' residence
How to apply
EU/EFTA nationals do not need an entry visa. They may enter Switzerland and must register with the residents' registration office of their commune before starting work and within the deadline after arrival.
On presentation of a valid passport/ID and proof of employment, self-employment or sufficient means, the cantonal migration office issues the B EU/EFTA permit for five years. A stay of under three months (or up to three months to look for work) does not require a permit, only notification in some cases.
Documents
- Valid EU/EFTA passport or national identity card
- Employment contract, or proof of self-employed activity, or evidence of sufficient means
- Proof of comprehensive health and accident insurance (especially for the non-employed)
- Proof of address / accommodation in Switzerland
- Completed registration form for the commune
Frequently asked questions
No. There are no quotas or prior labour-market approval. They enter without a visa and register locally, then receive the B EU/EFTA permit on proof of employment, self-employment or sufficient means.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
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