Switzerland Allows Work Without Permit for 31 Countries

The Swiss government has released a list of 31 countries whose citizens are allowed to work in Switzerland without needing a work permit. This arrangement is based on freedom of movement agreements applicable to EU and EFTA member states.

The countries included are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark. The exemption is limited to short-term work, allowing citizens to work for a Swiss employer for up to three months or provide services for a maximum of 90 days within a calendar year without applying for a residence permit.

Citizens from countries not on this list, including most African and Asian nations, must follow the standard Swiss immigration procedures to obtain legal permission to work.