Guidance

Living in Switzerland

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Switzerland, including guidance on residency, passports and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Published
26 June 2013
Last updated
2 August 2023 — See all updates

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Switzerland. Read about how our British Embassy in Berne can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Swiss authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

If you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you have been living in Switzerland since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for information about citizens’ rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement and the Swiss government’s FAQs for UK nationals.

Visas and residency

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Switzerland. You should also read the Swiss Government’s guidance for UK nationals coming to Switzerland to work from 1 January 2021. It explains the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) requirements you must meet to live or work in Switzerland.

The Federal Court sets quotas for residence permits and short stay permits. The Court releases quotas every 3 months and the cantons manage them. Read the Swiss Embassy guidance on residency permits.

Within 14 days of arriving, you must register at your local office of resident services in your municipality (Einwohnerdienste or Centre du contrôle des habitants).

If you stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit with your local cantonal authority (Einwohnerdienste or Centre du contrôle des habitants).

If you are employed by an international organisation

If you have an international permit (carte de légitimation), you are not covered by the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. Special provisions apply to international permit holders wishing to retire and remain in Switzerland.

Visas and residency if you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

If you have lived in Switzerland since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. Your current residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung, or Permis de séjour or Permessi di dimora) remains valid. It also shows your right to enter Switzerland, and exempts you from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

You should apply for a new permit before your short or long stay permit, or frontier worker permit expires.

Read the Swiss government’s FAQs for UK nationals.

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Switzerland at any point in the future. Read more information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance. They must travel to Switzerland and then apply as your family member. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Swiss authorities should issue family reunion visas free of charge.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Switzerland.

Check the Switzerland travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Switzerland using your EU or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Switzerland with a Swiss residence permit or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Switzerland, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Switzerland. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

When you travel, carry your residence document (Aufenthaltsbewilligung/Permis de séjour/Permessi di dimora) or frontier worker permit issued under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, show your certificate of registration.

If you cannot prove that you are resident in Switzerland, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement, you can enter and exit Switzerland with a valid passport. You do not need any additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Switzerland and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Unless you have UK-funded healthcare in Switzerland, you must buy insurance with a Swiss health insurance company within 3 months of arriving in Switzerland.

Read the Swiss government guidance on:

You should also read guidance on:

Working in Switzerland

If you are planning to move to Switzerland and work, you have to get a work permit. There is a work permit quota for UK nationals.

Read the Swiss government’s guidance on working in Switzerland as a foreign national and how to get a visa.

If you work 8 hours or more a week, you’re covered against occupational and non-occupational accidents by your employer.

To apply for a job you may need to:

Read guidance on working or providing services in Switzerland

If you plan to work in Switzerland, even if you work for a UK based employer, this may affect where you pay National Insurance-type contributions. Read the National insurance and social security contributions section for more information.

If you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement if you have an Aufenthaltsbewilligung or Permis de séjour or Permessi di dimora, or have applied for one.

If you live in Switzerland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Switzerland.

Read guidance on:

If you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Switzerland officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

Studying in Switzerland

If you plan to study in Switzerland, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Switzerland to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on healthcare for students in Switzerland.

If you were living in Switzerland before 1 January 2021

You continue to be eligible for broadly the same student support as under FMOPA (EU – Swiss Free Movement of Persons Agreement), if you meet the eligibility criteria. Read the UK – Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement and the explainer for more information.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Switzerland. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland.

Read guidance on:

National insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Switzerland. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Switzerland.

If you plan to move to Switzerland and work, even if you continue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Switzerland. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Switzerland.

Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland

You can also check your UK National Insurance record.

Benefits

UK benefits

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Switzerland.

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Swiss benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Swiss social security benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Swiss benefits and how to claim, read the guidance on social security benefits and social insurances.

Pensions

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Switzerland.

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Switzerland, you can claim:

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement for more information on cross-border pensions.

Accommodation and buying property

Read the guidance on buying a property abroad.

If you already own a property, property rights are protected under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

Driving in Switzerland

You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Switzerland. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Switzerland:

Exchanging your UK licence

If you live in Switzerland, you must exchange your UK licence for a Swiss one at your local cantonal authority within 12 months of moving. You do not need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

Exchanging your Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man licence

If you have a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of getting a Swiss licence.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Switzerland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Swiss disabled parking card at your canton’s road traffic office (in German).

Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with disabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Switzerland

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If you use your vehicle in Switzerland for more than one year, you must declare it to customs. Read the Swiss government’s guidance on entering Switzerland with a motor vehicle.

Driving outside Switzerland with a Swiss licence

You can use your Swiss licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Swiss licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Swiss licence you may need to apply for an IDP at your canton’s road traffic office (in German).

Voting

Although foreign nationals cannot vote in Switzerland at federal level, several cantons and communes give foreign nationals voting rights. Read the Swiss government guidance on voting rights of foreign nationals.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Switzerland, you can register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Switzerland read our guidance on:

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need:

Pets

If you’re moving to Switzerland with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.

Read guidance on:

Emergencies

Dial the European emergency number 112 in Switzerland for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction.

Read the guidance if you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Switzerland.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Berne.

Returning to the UK

Tell the Swiss and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

If you get healthcare in Switzerland through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Useful information

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.

Updates to this page

Published 26 June 2013
Last updated 2 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removed Covid information

  2. Important information in the Working in Switzerland, and National insurance sections if you work in Switzerland, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

  3. Guidance reviewed and updated with new information, including in the driving section.

  4. Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.

  5. Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in Switzerland, Emergencies and Returning to the UK sections.

  6. Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Switzerland after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.

  7. Working in Switzerland section updated: new guidance for frontier workers

  8. Healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Switzerland section updated with links to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

  9. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  10. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on pet travel and moving to Switzerland.

  11. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

  12. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

  13. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

  14. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

  15. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

  16. EU Exit update: Latest information on passports, heatlhcare and return to UK

  17. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

  18. EU Exit update: We included a summary of the citizens' rights agreement reached with Switzerland, and more information on the implications of EU exit on healthcare and residency.

  19. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

  20. Information on the double-taxation agreement with Switzerland. The UK’s exit from the European Union will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Switzerland.

  21. EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare

  22. EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving

  23. EU Exit update: added information about the UK-Swiss Citizens Rights Agreement in the EU Exit section

  24. EU Exit update: Link added to Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement

  25. We have included links to our upcoming outreach events for UK nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

  26. EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

  27. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  28. Life certificates for UK state pensions updated

  29. First published.

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