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Guidance

Living in Switzerland

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Switzerland – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Published
26 June 2013
Last updated
24 December 2025 — See all updates

Getting help with living in Switzerland

Help from the Swiss government

For any questions about moving to or living in Switzerland, you may be able to get help from:

  • the
  • your local 
  • the civil registry of your local municipality – known in Switzerland as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’

The UK government and the British Embassy in Berne cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Switzerland.

Professional help in Switzerland

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Switzerland, including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Switzerland to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Switzerland. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Switzerland before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which or you need to live in Switzerland.

You can get a visa or residence permit to:

  • work
  • study
  • retire
  • live with family in Switzerland
  • volunteer
  • complete an internship

For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on:

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you must register as a resident in Switzerland. Contact your local municipality, known in Switzerland as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.  The municipality will make an appointment for you to register with your local ĚýĚýĚýĚý

If you have any problems or questions when registering, contact an .

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the civil registry of your local municipality for information on how to:

  • extend your visa or residence permit
  • replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit

In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.

The Swiss government also offers guidance on .

Settlement permits

You may be able to apply for a settlement permit (‘C’ permit) in Switzerland if you have lived there legally and continuously for at least 10 years. This allows you to live and work in Switzerland indefinitely.ĚýĚýĚýĚý

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, contact your local .ĚýĚý

Citizenship

Switzerland recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Swiss citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Swiss citizenship:

  • read the Swiss government’s guidance on and

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Berne cannot help with Swiss visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

  • your local
  • the
  • an

Residency if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

Read the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration’s .

Residence permits if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a biometric residence or settlement permit.

If your permit was issued before 1 January 2021 and your residence status has not changed since you moved to Switzerland, your permit should be marked (in German, French and Italian) with the words “In accordance with the CH-UK agreement of 25.02.2020”. This shows that you have rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

For more information, read the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration’s .

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES),you’ll need a Swiss L, B, C or G biometric residence permit when entering or leaving Switzerland. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when . Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Switzerland or other Schengen countries.   

Renewing your residence permit if you moved to Switzerland before 1 January 2021  

You’ll need to renew your residence permit after:

  • 1 year, for short term residence (‘L’) permits
  • 5 years, for residence (‘B’) permits
  • 10 years, for settlement (‘C’) permits

Contact the civil registry office of your local municipality for information on how to renew your residence permit. In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.

The Swiss government also offers guidance on .

Bringing family members to Switzerland if you moved there before 1 January 2021 

The Swiss government’s explains which family members can join you in Switzerland.

Contact your local for more information on:

  • how and when they should apply for their residence document
  • fees and processing times

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad
  • travel urgently without your British passport

If you have a Swiss residence permit or settlement permit, the time you spend in Switzerland does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residence or settlement permit when . If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence or settlement permit, or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or country, you should  enter and leave Switzerland using your EU or EFTA passport.

Dual citizens travelling to the UK

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.

The Swiss authorities recommend that children aged 17 and under carry a if they’re travelling out of Switzerland without their parent or legal guardian.

Contact the for more information.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for . Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Switzerland, and who have a Swiss L, B, C or G residence permit,  do not need to register with the EES.

If you’re legally resident in Switzerland but do not have one of these residence permits, contact your local municipality for information on how to get one. In Switzerland, your local municipality is known as the ‘Einwohnerdienste’, ‘Services d’état civil et de population’ or ‘Servizi di stato civile’.

You can also read guidance on:   

For more information on how the EES works, read:

Healthcare in Switzerland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare
  • take medicine abroad

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

To find out how to get medical treatment:

You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

Working in Switzerland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Switzerland, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Switzerland for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you. 

You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Switzerland legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a .

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

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Switzerland, you may need to .

Driving in Switzerland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

The Swiss government provides information on driving in Switzerland, including how to:

For more information read guidance on road travel in Switzerland, in safety and security in the travel advice for Switzerland.

Driving in Switzerland using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in Switzerland for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:

  • the UK
  • Gibraltar
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • the Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Switzerland. 

Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 12 months, you must . You can do this at your local .

For Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licenses, you may need to take a driving test.

You do not need to take a test to exchange a UK licence.

You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Swiss licence to drive legally. 

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for:

  • an
  • a Swiss disabled parking card

For more information:

  • contact your local
  • read guidance on

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Switzerland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the or your for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on . To do this, find an .

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming a Swiss pension

to find out whether you can claim a .

You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming Swiss benefits

You may be entitled to some Swiss benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:

  • read guidance on

Buying and renting property in Switzerland

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

You may need to get authorisation from the Swiss government to buy property in Switzerland. Read guidance on .

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

Contact an if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Switzerland

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

Swiss elections

You may be eligible to vote in some cantonal and communal ballots.

You cannot vote in Swiss federal elections unless you hold Swiss citizenship.

For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

Studying in Switzerland

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

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Switzerland legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the UK - Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. You’re still eligible for most of the same student support, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information, read guidance on:

You can also contact:

  • your higher education provider in the UK or Switzerland
  • the
  • the

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad
  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

You can also read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the .

All children aged 4 to 15 must attend school or home school in Switzerland.

For more information, read the Swiss government’s guidance on .

Childcare

The Swiss cantons and municipalities are responsible for childcare services in Switzerland.

For more information, read guidance on:

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Switzerland, .

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Switzerland, read guidance on:

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad. 

The Swiss government also provides information on:

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.ĚýĚý

The Swiss government offers guidance on:

Consider taking legal advice from an .

Documents for British people in Switzerland

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Switzerland, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Switzerland, read guidance on:

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Switzerland through the S1 form, to cancel it.ĚýĚý

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only.  For definitive information, contact the Swiss authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 26 June 2013
Last updated 24 December 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).

  2. Removed Covid information

  3. 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.

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

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

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

  7. 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.

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

  9. 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.

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

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

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

  13. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  19. 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.

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

  21. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  27. 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.

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

  29. Life certificates for UK state pensions updated

  30. First published.

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