SwitzerlandPermanent residence

Settlement permit C for EU/EFTA in Switzerland

The settlement permit C is an open-ended status for foreign nationals who live in Switzerland permanently. For EU/EFTA nationals it is issued under Switzerland’s settlement treaties and reciprocity agreements after a long period of continuous residence in the country, and not under the general Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.

Source: State Secretariat for Migration of Switzerland (SEM)

Who can get it / routes in

The settlement permit is issued after a set period of continuous residence in Switzerland — the period depends on the applicant’s nationality.

Under a settlement treaty — five years

Five years of regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland
Applies to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden
Applies to nationals of the EFTA countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Without a settlement treaty — ten years

Ten years of residence are required from nationals of the other EU countries, with which Switzerland has no settlement treaties
The basis is the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act and the settlement treaties; the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) does not govern settlement
SEM determines the earliest date from which the cantonal authorities may issue the permit

How the process runs

Permit C is not applied for from scratch on a separate form — it is granted to those who already hold EU/EFTA status in Switzerland for the required number of years.

1
Build up the required period of continuous residence
Hold residence status in Switzerland without interruption: five years for nationals of countries with a settlement treaty, ten years for nationals of the other EU countries.
2
Wait for the decision on the date of issue
SEM determines the earliest date from which the cantonal migration authorities may issue the settlement permit.
3
Receive the settlement permit C
The cantonal authorities issue permit C. It is valid indefinitely and is conditional on neither an employment contract nor financial requirements.

Timelines and rights

Work

There are no restrictions on work. On the labour market you rank alongside Swiss nationals: an employer must look among them and among holders of permits C and B before calling in a specialist from a third country.

Who you can bring with you

The rules on family reunification for holders of EU/EFTA permits, including permit C, are laid down by the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP).

Spouse

Joins under family reunification and receives the right to work in Switzerland regardless of nationality.

Children and grandchildren under 21 or dependent

They come along with the applicant; children who arrive under family reunification are likewise entitled to work in Switzerland regardless of nationality.

Dependent parents and grandparents

They can join only if they prove that they were financially dependent on the applicant before entering Switzerland.

General condition for the whole family

The accommodation must be sufficient to house the whole family — this is an express requirement of the AFMP.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Five years of continuous lawful residence in Switzerland.

The settlement permit C is issued for an unlimited period and is not tied to conditions, so in substance it is not extended. Even so, permanent resident status has to be reconfirmed every five years — the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons does not govern open-ended settlement, and this rule comes from Swiss national law.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Yes, this is Swiss permanent residence. The right of settlement is not limited in time and is not subject to conditions; the status does not need to be extended.

Route to citizenship

The application is made once you hold a settlement permit C and have ten years of residence in Switzerland, three of them within the last five years before the application. Spoken language is required at level B1 and written language at A1.

Frequently asked questions about Settlement permit C for EU/EFTA

Who can get the settlement permit C in Switzerland?

Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, and also nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway — after five years of regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland, under the settlement treaties or reciprocity agreements. Nationals of the other EU countries receive the permit after ten years of residence, since Switzerland has no settlement treaties with those countries.

For how long is permit C valid and does it have to be extended?

The permit is issued for an unlimited period and is not subject to any requirements. At the same time, permanent resident status has to be reconfirmed every five years — the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons does not govern open-ended settlement, this is a purely Swiss rule.

Are there any restrictions on work for a permit C holder?

No. A permit C holder may change jobs and move into self-employment — the same rules on health care and employment apply to them as to Swiss nationals. The exception is posts connected with the sovereign functions of the state: the army, the police and the judiciary.

Can family members move to Switzerland to join a permit C holder?

Yes. An application can be made for a spouse, for children and grandchildren under 21 or dependent, and also for parents and grandparents if they were financially dependent on the applicant before entering Switzerland. A mandatory condition is sufficient accommodation for the whole family. Spouses and children who arrive under family reunification are entitled to work in Switzerland regardless of nationality.

How does permit C differ from permit B?

Permit B is the annual residence permit for EU/EFTA nationals: it is issued for five years with the possibility of extension and depends on an employment contract or on sufficient financial means. Permit C, by contrast, is open-ended and is conditional on neither an employment contract nor financial requirements.

Can you move freely between Swiss cantons on permit C?

Yes, the settlement permit is valid throughout Switzerland. Moving to another canton does not require a new permit, but you must register with the authorities of the new canton and enter your new address there.

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.