Immigration
Entry Requirements
Make sure your passport is in order prior to your move to Switzerland. U.S. citizens staying in Switzerland for up to 90 days (consecutive or combined within a six-month period) for tourist or business purposes do not require a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. Switzerland is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free travel within a multi-country zone of Europe. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see the U.S. Department of State’s Schengen Fact Sheet.
Permanent Residence
If you are planning to move to Switzerland and stay for longer than three months, you are required to obtain a Residence Permit. This permit is issued by the Cantonal Immigration Offices. When you apply for a Residence Permit, the migration office will determine the type of visa you will need based on the length of time you plan to stay in the country. There are eight types of Residence Permits issued by Switzerland. The two most common permanent Residence Permits for expats are:
- Permit B, which is for foreign nationals who are resident in Switzerland for a longer period of time for a certain purpose, with or without gainful employment
- Permit C, which is issued for long-term settlement; as a rule, third-country nationals are in a position to be granted a settlement permit after ten years’ regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland; U.S. and Canadian nationals are subject to a special regulation
Work Permits
Switzerland has a dual system for foreign nationals who want to work in the country. The first system applies to citizens from the European Union and the European Free Trade Association. The second system is for citizens of all other countries. You are required to have a guaranteed work contract from an employer as well as the appropriate work visa before entering the country. A job offer alone is not enough to guarantee a Work Permit. Family members of a permit holder are allowed to stay and reside in Switzerland as well, regardless of nationality.
Working in Switzerland requires that you apply for and receive one of three Residence Permits issued by Cantonal Migration Offices. For details click on Work Permits and then click on Non EU/Efta Nationals.
Retirement
You may retire in Switzerland if you are over 55, have close connections with Switzerland (frequent stays, family members in the country, etc.), no longer pursue gainful employment in Switzerland or abroad, transfer the center of your interests to Switzerland and have the necessary financial resources. In addition, you will need health and accident insurance covering all risks in Switzerland. Owning property in the country is not enough to establish close connections. For more on retiring in Switzerland, you can contact the Cantonal Immigration Offices.
Customs
Household Goods
You may bring your household goods and similar possessions into Switzerland duty-free if you have owned and used them for at least six months prior to your move and they remain in your possession for at least one year. You must be in Switzerland and must take up residence before the clearance of customs. A declaration form must be completed and given to the customs office before importation. Registration of your items is required with the local authorities in order for them to be cleared. Your international moving company will likely handle most of the details, but you will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport (copy of first three pages)
- Work and Residence Permits
- Property title of residence in Switzerland
- A list of the Inventory in your preferred language showing the full contents that are planned for shipment, including appliances with their make and serial number
- A Customs Import Form and a list of any alcoholic beverages that are being brought into the country
Dutiable Items
- New items that are less than six months old; they require an invoice and must be in a separate list apart from the household goods inventory
- Food in large quantity
- Alcoholic Beverages
Restricted Items
- Drugs and narcotics
- Weapons
- Ammunition
- Anti-radar equipment
- Animal products from endangered species
- Dairy and white meat products
- Cleaning fluids
Motor Vehicles
You may import one motor vehicle duty-free if it is owned and used for over six months and you state that it will not be sold within a year of its importation. At the point of entry the owner must present customs officials with form 18.44 (Declaration for clearance of household effects) completed in duplicate. You also must present a valid driver’s license and the vehicles proof of purchase documents. Once in the country, the vehicle must be brought to the appropriate authorities for inspection. Vehicles must meet Swiss safety regulations as well as noise and exhaust emissions regulations. Vehicles that remain in Switzerland for longer than one year must have Swiss plates. Drivers living in the country for more than one year will need a Swiss driver’s license. The following is a list of documentation required for vehicle importation:
- Passport
- Work and Residence Permits
- Vehicle title
- Purchase invoice
- Form 18.44
- Proof of residence
- Valid driver’s license
- Car license from previous country of residence
- Household goods inventory
- Swiss insurance receipt
Pet Regulations and Procedures
Cats and dogs may be imported into Switzerland without a permit and quarantine if they are arriving from a European Union country or a rabies free country. Your pet must have a microchip implanted with a 15 digit ISO. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. Pets must be vaccinated against rabies and other diseases at least 30 days, but not more than 12 months prior to entry. Before traveling, a USDA accredited veterinarian must complete the Vaccination Certificate for Visiting Switzerland for endorsement by the USDA. A copy of the rabies certificate should be included.