B, C, L, G - the Swiss foreign nationals' permits look at first glance like alphabet soup. Yet the right permit determines whether and for how long you may live and work in Switzerland. Anyone who keeps an overview avoids costly delays when moving in.
This article explains the most important residence permits - B, C and L - including requirements, validity and the decisive difference between EU/EFTA citizens and third-country nationals. As of 2026.
The permits at a glance
The most important permits for people moving to Switzerland are:
- Permit L - short-term residence permit (temporary, usually less than one year)
- Permit B - residence permit (temporary, usually 5 years for EU/EFTA)
- Permit C - settlement permit (permanent, after 5 or 10 years)
- Permit G - cross-border commuter permit (residence abroad, work in Switzerland)
Today the permit is a credit-card-sized plastic card with biometric data. The cantonal migration office is always responsible - which is why the specific practice can vary slightly from canton to canton.
Permit B: the residence permit
Permit B is the classic residence permit for a longer stay. For EU/EFTA citizens it is usually valid for 5 years and is renewed as long as the requirements are met.
Requirements for permit B (EU/EFTA)
You receive permit B with a permanent employment contract or one running for more than a year. It is also possible without gainful employment if you can prove sufficient financial means and health insurance (e.g. as a pensioner or student).
For third-country nationals, permit B is subject to stricter conditions: it is usually granted only to well-qualified specialists and within the framework of quotas.
Permit C: the settlement permit
Permit C is the goal of many people moving to Switzerland: a permanent settlement permit with almost unrestricted access to the labour market and no tie to a particular employer.
When do you get permit C?
Citizens of certain countries (including EU/EFTA countries with corresponding agreements as well as, for example, the USA) receive permit C after 5 years. For everyone else, a period of 10 years usually applies. The requirements are integration, language skills and a clean record.
With good integration, early granting of permit C after 5 instead of 10 years is possible. Proven language skills (often level A2 spoken, A1 written) and financial independence are key criteria here.
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Permit L: short-term stay
Permit L is the short-term residence permit for temporary stays - typically with employment contracts of less than a year, project assignments or for a job search.
Validity of permit L
The duration depends on the purpose of the stay. EU/EFTA citizens receive permit L for employment contracts of 3 to 12 months. An extension or conversion into permit B is possible under certain conditions.
EU/EFTA vs. third countries: the big difference
Your nationality largely determines how easy moving in is:
EU/EFTA citizens
Thanks to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), access is straightforward: with an employment contract you receive B or L largely automatically. Job searching, self-employment and family reunification are also made easier.
Third-country nationals
The Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) applies to people from non-EU/EFTA countries. Permits are only available for well-qualified specialists, within the framework of annual quotas and if no domestic candidate is available.
Never start work before the permit or registration has been arranged. Undeclared work can lead to fines and, in the worst case, an entry ban. Always clarify your status before your first day of work.
Registration and family reunification
After moving in, a few steps are mandatory:
Registration with the municipality
Register within 14 days of arrival and before starting work at the residents' registration office of your municipality of residence. Bring: identity document, employment contract, tenancy agreement and a passport photo.
Take out health insurance
Basic insurance is mandatory within 3 months of moving in - backdated to the date of arrival. Take care of it early.
Receive the permit
The cantonal migration office issues the permit. Until the physical card arrives, you often receive a confirmation that already allows you to work.
Family reunification
EU/EFTA citizens with permit B or C can bring over a spouse and children, provided there is suitable housing and sufficient means. Additional deadlines and conditions apply to third-country nationals. The details are governed by the cantonal migration office.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between permit B and permit C?
Permit B is temporary (EU/EFTA usually 5 years, renewable), while permit C is the permanent settlement permit with almost unrestricted access to the labour market - after 5 or 10 years depending on nationality.
How long is permit L valid?
It depends on the purpose of the stay, usually on the contract duration - as a rule less than one year, renewable under certain conditions.
Do EU citizens need a permit to work?
Yes, but thanks to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons it is straightforward: permit B for contracts over a year, permit L for shorter ones. Registration with your municipality of residence is required before starting work.
By when do I have to register?
Within 14 days of arrival and before your first day of work, at the residents' registration office of your municipality of residence.
Sources
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): sem.admin.ch
- Types of permit at a glance (SEM): sem.admin.ch - Residence EU/EFTA
- ch.ch - Living in Switzerland: ch.ch