Work permits in Switzerland: rules, priority, quotas
Thanks to free movement, EU/EFTA nationals have easy access to the Swiss labour market. People from other countries are admitted only as managers, specialists or qualified workers, if no suitable person can be found in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA, and within annual quotas: in 2026 there are 4,500 B residence permits and 4,000 L short-term permits.
The rules for people from outside the EU/EFTA
- EU/EFTA nationals need no permit for work of under three months per calendar year; it is reported through the online notification procedure. For a job of three months to one year they are entitled to an L permit. (SEM)
- For employment, people from outside the EU/EFTA can be admitted if it serves the overall economic interest and an employer has filed an application. (FNIA Art. 18)
- Priority rule: a permit is granted only if no suitable person can be found in Switzerland (Swiss citizens, foreign nationals with a C permit or a B permit allowing work, temporarily admitted people, S status with a work permit) or in the EU/EFTA. Graduates of a Swiss university can be admitted as an exception and have six months after graduating to find a job. (FNIA Art. 21)
- Only managers, specialists and other qualified workers are admitted. Exceptions include investors and entrepreneurs who create jobs, recognised people from science, culture and sport, and executive transfers within international companies. (FNIA Art. 23)
- For people from outside the EU/EFTA the Federal Council sets annual quotas: in 2026 there are 4,500 B residence permits and 4,000 L short-term permits, split between the cantons and a federal reserve. (Art. FNIA 20, VZAE 19, VZAE 20)
Quotas 2026 by canton
| Canton | B permit | L permit |
|---|---|---|
| Aargau | 80 | 127 |
| Appenzell Inner Rhodes | 2 | 3 |
| Appenzell Outer Rhodes | 6 | 10 |
| Basel-Landschaft | 36 | 57 |
| Basel-Stadt | 45 | 72 |
| Bern | 144 | 231 |
| Fribourg | 36 | 58 |
| Geneva | 93 | 149 |
| Glarus | 5 | 8 |
| Grisons | 31 | 49 |
| Jura | 11 | 18 |
| Lucerne | 58 | 93 |
| Neuchâtel | 26 | 42 |
| Nidwalden | 6 | 9 |
| Obwalden | 5 | 8 |
| Schaffhausen | 11 | 17 |
| Schwyz | 20 | 32 |
| Solothurn | 33 | 53 |
| St. Gallen | 70 | 112 |
| Thurgau | 33 | 52 |
| Ticino | 59 | 94 |
| Uri | 4 | 7 |
| Valais | 44 | 71 |
| Vaud | 113 | 181 |
| Zug | 30 | 48 |
| Zurich | 249 | 399 |
| Federal reserve | 3,250 | 2,000 |
| Total | 4,500 | 4,000 |
The quotas apply from 1 January to 31 December. The Federal Council sets them every November. VZAE Anhang 1 und 2
Other quotas 2026
- EU/EFTA service providers staying over 90 days (B permit): 500 (125 per quarter) (VZAE 20a)
- EU/EFTA service providers staying over 90 days (L permit): 3,000 (750 per quarter) (VZAE 19a)
- UK nationals without acquired rights (B permit): 2,100 (525 per quarter) (VZAE 20b)
- UK nationals without acquired rights (L permit): 1,400 (350 per quarter) (VZAE 19b)
- Interns and young professionals from the USA (exchange agreement): 300 (VZAE 42 Abs. 2)
B permit: the residence permit →
L permit: the short-term residence permit →
G permit: the cross-border commuter permit →
Family reunification in Switzerland: who, when and on what conditions →
All permits compared →
Moving to and from Switzerland →
Sources: FSO: demographic balance and permanent resident population by permit type · FNIA · VZAE · SCA · SEM · VZAE Anhang · SLI-2026-10-10.39
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a work permit as an EU citizen?
EU/EFTA nationals need no permit for work of under three months per calendar year; it is reported through the online notification procedure. For a job of three months to one year they are entitled to an L permit.
Who counts as qualified?
Only managers, specialists and other qualified workers are admitted. Exceptions include investors and entrepreneurs who create jobs, recognised people from science, culture and sport, and executive transfers within international companies.
What does the priority rule mean?
Priority rule: a permit is granted only if no suitable person can be found in Switzerland (Swiss citizens, foreign nationals with a C permit or a B permit allowing work, temporarily admitted people, S status with a work permit) or in the EU/EFTA. Graduates of a Swiss university can be admitted as an exception and have six months after graduating to find a job.
How many permits are there for non-EU nationals in 2026?
For people from outside the EU/EFTA the Federal Council sets annual quotas: in 2026 there are 4,500 B residence permits and 4,000 L short-term permits, split between the cantons and a federal reserve.
Information, not legal advice. The laws and the decision of the cantonal migration office are authoritative.
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