Long-stay visas (Type D)
Swiss Residence Without Gainful Activity (Retirement / Private Means, incl. Lump-Sum Taxation)
A residence permit for people who will not work in Switzerland but can support themselves, covering EU/EFTA retirees and older non-EU/EFTA applicants with strong ties, often via lump-sum taxation.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Issued by
- Cantonal migration office (+ SEM approval for non-EU/EFTA)
- Permit type
- Permit B (B EU/EFTA for EU/EFTA nationals)
- No work
- Holder must not take up gainful activity in Switzerland
- Non-EU/EFTA age rule
- Generally 55 or older with special personal ties to Switzerland
- Financial test
- Sufficient means + full health/accident insurance
- Tax option
- Often paired with cantonal lump-sum (expenditure-based) taxation
Who it's for
- EU/EFTA retirees and other economically inactive people with sufficient means
- Non-EU/EFTA nationals aged 55+ with genuine personal ties to Switzerland who will not work
- Financially independent individuals seeking to reside in Switzerland, often under lump-sum taxation
Requirements
- Sufficient financial means so as not to rely on Swiss social assistance
- Comprehensive health and accident insurance covering all risks
- No gainful activity in Switzerland (and, for third-country retirees, none abroad either)
- For non-EU/EFTA nationals: generally aged 55 or over
- For non-EU/EFTA nationals: special personal ties to Switzerland (assessed cumulatively)
- Suitable accommodation in Switzerland
What you can do
- Reside in Switzerland without working
- Renew the permit while the financial and other conditions remain met
- Arrange cantonal lump-sum taxation where eligible (non-Swiss nationals not working in Switzerland)
- EU/EFTA holders can later move towards a C settlement permit
How to apply
EU/EFTA nationals enter without a visa, register with their commune, and receive a B EU/EFTA permit on proof of sufficient means and insurance.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals apply through the cantonal migration authority, which assesses age, personal ties, means and the no-work condition; SEM approval is required. Where lump-sum taxation is involved, the applicant negotiates the tax arrangement with the canton in parallel. Once approved, a national (D) visa is issued for entry.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Proof of sufficient financial means (pension, assets, income statements)
- Comprehensive health and accident insurance
- Proof of accommodation in Switzerland
- For non-EU/EFTA applicants: evidence of personal ties to Switzerland
- Any lump-sum taxation agreement / correspondence with the canton, where applicable
Frequently asked questions
Not on wealth alone. A third-country retiree generally must be at least 55, have special personal ties to Switzerland, hold sufficient means, and stop working everywhere. These conditions are assessed together.
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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