SwitzerlandCross-border commuter permit

Cross-border commuter permit in Switzerland

The cross-border commuter permit G is granted to nationals of EU and EFTA countries who live in a European Union or EFTA state and work in Switzerland, whether as employees or self-employed. The holder does not move to Switzerland: they are required to return regularly to their place of residence abroad.

Source: State Secretariat for Migration of Switzerland (SEM)

Who can get it and on what terms

The term of the permit depends on the type and length of the employment contract with a Swiss employer, or on the fact of self-employment in Switzerland.

Employment

An open-ended employment contract or a fixed-term one of more than a year — permit G is issued for five years
A fixed-term contract of three months to a year — the permit runs for exactly the term of that contract
A contract shorter than three months — permit G is not needed: the employer files an online notification on easygov.swiss no later than the day before work starts

Self-employment

An EU/EFTA national can obtain permit G while carrying on self-employed activity in Switzerland
The main place of residence meanwhile remains in an EU/EFTA country

Who it suits

Documents

You will need an employment contract with a Swiss employer or proof of self-employment in Switzerland, together with proof of residence in an EU/EFTA country. Work on a contract shorter than 3 months in a year requires no permit: the employer files an online notification.

How the process runs

The permit is issued by the cantonal migration authorities of the place of work in Switzerland.

1
Sign a contract or set up as self-employed
Conclude an employment contract with a Swiss employer or start self-employed activity in Switzerland, keeping your main place of residence in an EU/EFTA country.
2
Check the term of the contract
notification — no later than 1 day before work starts
For a contract shorter than three months permit G is not required: the employer (or the self-employed person themselves) files a notification through the easygov.swiss online system.
3
Apply to the cantonal authority
For a contract of three months or more the application procedure is set by the cantonal authority of the place of work in Switzerland — it is also the body that issues permit G.
4
Receive permit G
5 years — with an open-ended contract or a contract longer than a year; for the term of the contract — if it runs from 3 months to a year
The permit is issued for five years with an open-ended employment contract or a contract lasting more than a year. With a contract of three months to a year the term of the permit equals the term of that contract.

Timelines and rights

Validity

5 years with an open-ended employment contract or a fixed-term contract of more than a year; with a contract of 3 months to a year — for the term of the contract; for work of less than 3 months no permit is needed and the online notification applies.

Work

For EU/EFTA nationals there is no tie to a border zone: you may live anywhere in the EU/EFTA, work throughout Switzerland and change occupation and place of work freely.

Residence

You must return to your main place of residence abroad as a rule daily, but at least once a week.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permit G does not lead to permanent residence. The settlement permit C is granted for years of residence in Switzerland, whereas a cross-border commuter lives in an EU/EFTA country and returns there daily or at least once a week.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship cannot be obtained on permit G: naturalisation requires a settlement permit C and ten years of residence in Switzerland itself.

Frequently asked questions about Cross-border commuter permit

Who can get the cross-border commuter permit G EU/EFTA?

The permit is available to nationals of EU and EFTA countries who live in a European Union or EFTA state and work in Switzerland — as employees or self-employed.

How often must a permit G holder return home?

As a rule daily — but returning to the main place of residence abroad at least once a week is acceptable.

For how long is permit G issued and what does its term depend on?

The term of the permit depends on the employment contract: five years with an open-ended contract or a fixed-term contract longer than a year; for the term of the contract itself if it lasts from three months to a year.

Is permit G needed for work in Switzerland of less than three months?

No. For employment shorter than three months no permit is required — the online notification procedure through easygov.swiss applies: when working for a Swiss company the employer files the notification no later than one day before work starts.

How does permit G for EU/EFTA nationals differ from permit G for third-country nationals?

For third-country nationals the conditions are stricter: a permanent residence permit in the neighbouring country and at least six months of residence in its border zone are required, the permit is usually issued for one year, its effect is limited to the border zone of the issuing canton, and a change of job or occupation requires separate approval. EU/EFTA nationals have no such restrictions: they may live anywhere in the EU/EFTA, work throughout Switzerland and change occupation and employer freely.

Who issues permit G and is there a fee for it?

Permits are issued by the cantonal authorities — they are responsible for the procedure for accepting the application, its form and the deadlines. The official SEM page refers such details, including the amount of the fee, to the competent cantonal authority.

Other ways to move to Switzerland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Switzerland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.