Immigration for digital nomads to Switzerland allows them to stay and work in the country legally for extended periods. The country offers high income levels, maximum personal safety, a pleasant climate and a welcoming attitude towards foreigners. Working remotely from Switzerland is a great opportunity to maintain your usual lifestyle whilst avoiding the difficulties of finding a job.

Special programmes aimed at digital nomads have already been launched in other European countries — Portugal, Spain and Estonia. The conditions for obtaining entry permits in these cases are less stringent and tailored to today’s young people, who often avoid being tied to an office and prefer a remote format for interacting with clients.

Switzerland adheres to a traditional approach to immigration policy. The legislation governing the entry of foreigners is quite strict. There is no separate digital nomad visa for Switzerland. Therefore, if you wish to live and work in the country, you will need to obtain a standard residence permit. You will require a contract with a local company, sufficient financial means and accommodation. However, this does not mean that moving to Switzerland for remote work is impossible in principle.

Features of immigration law

Many developed countries have fairly strict requirements governing the entry of foreigners. Plans to introduce a digital nomad visa scheme in Switzerland have been in the pipeline for many years, but they have not yet led to any concrete legislative initiatives. The main reason is the desire to maintain a high standard of living in the country and protect the domestic labour market. Therefore, there is no provision for a separate visa for digital nomads in Switzerland.

Legally, this means that residence in the country is possible on the basis of one of four types of permits:

• permit L — a short-term residence permit, usually for no more than 12 months, linked to an employer or place of study, does not entitle the holder to apply for permanent residence, and renewal is only possible in exceptional cases;
• permit B — can be obtained for 1–5 years, with provision for renewal; allows you to work for a local company or run a business; remote work and residence in Switzerland are not permitted;
• Permit C — equivalent to permanent residence; there are few differences from citizenship and these are hardly noticeable in everyday life; such a permit is very rarely issued immediately, usually after 5–10 years of continuous residence;
• Permit G — a cross-border residence permit aimed at citizens of neighbouring countries — France, Germany, Italy and Austria; a mandatory condition is that permanent residence in Switzerland is not permitted.

There is also no specific visa for remote work in Switzerland. If this is the arrangement you are interested in, you must follow the standard procedure. First, obtain a visa that will allow you to enter the country. Then, no later than 14 days after arrival, apply for a long-term residence permit. Life in Switzerland for a digital nomad can be comfortable, so the effort is well worth it.

Alternative options

Finding an alternative immigration route is the only way to legalise your stay in the country and build a future here. The standard of living in Switzerland for remote workers is higher than the European average; the only hurdle is obtaining the right permit.

What options are provided for in the legislation:

• Visitor visa (Schengen C). Its validity is limited to 90 days, and you cannot work for a local company. Remote collaboration with foreigners is not legally regulated, so a digital nomad visa for Switzerland is not the best option for long-term planning.
• Student visa. Employment opportunities are severely restricted; this option is suitable for students whose income often depends on freelance work.
• Work visa. Legally, these are standard permits – an L or B permit. The L permit has a limited validity period of no more than one year; you are permitted to work, but only for a specific company. A B permit is the standard option for foreigners who wish to stay in the country long-term. It is valid for up to five years, can be extended, allows for a change of employer, and, over time, enables you to apply for permanent residence and citizenship. A B permit cannot be described as a ‘digital nomad’ visa for Switzerland, as the basic requirements are quite difficult to meet. However, for highly skilled or wealthy foreigners seeking to integrate into society, a Type B permit is the best option.
• An option for citizens of neighbouring countries. Its use is limited, as only citizens of a few countries can obtain a Permit G. An additional drawback is the de facto ban on residing in Switzerland.

Taxes for digital nomads in Switzerland

The determination of financial obligations depends on several factors. The main ones are your residency status and the duration of your actual stay in the country. The final tax requirements are also influenced by the canton of residence, the nature of the work, and the applicability of international tax agreements. But in any case, there are taxes for freelancers in Switzerland, whether they are foreigners or citizens.

There are three criteria for tax residency: staying in the country for more than 30 days if you are employed, at least 90 days if you are not, or holding a long-term residence permit. The tax base is calculated on the basis of worldwide income. Foreigners holding a tourist visa or staying in the country for less than 30 or 90 days are considered non-residents. They pay tax only on income earned within Switzerland itself.

The situation regarding digital nomads is less clear-cut. For foreigners without resident status, there is no taxation on remote work in Switzerland. However, one of the main conditions for obtaining a residence permit is a signed contract with a local employer. If a foreigner holds a C-type visa, the authorities of a specific canton may include worldwide income in the tax base even where there are no formal grounds for granting resident status.

How to live in Switzerland whilst working remotely

The only option is to apply for a standard Type B permit. To obtain this, you must have a contract with a local employer and proof of financial means. There is no specific residence permit in Switzerland for remote work. If this is the arrangement you are interested in, it is better to choose other European countries.

The cost of living in Switzerland for a digital nomad is quite high. An income that would be sufficient in Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia or Greece may not be enough to maintain your usual standard of living. Personal tax rates are quite high, which will come as an unpleasant surprise to many foreigners. Immediately after moving, you will need to sort out matters relating to obtaining insurance, learning one of the official languages, and settling into your new home.

However, for remote professionals, moving to Switzerland will be well worth it if these challenges can be overcome. The country offers a very high standard of living, with plenty of opportunities for creative, personal and professional fulfilment. Comfort is evident at every level — in daily life, socialising and building personal relationships. The attitude towards foreigners is open and friendly.

The digital infrastructure here is well-developed; working online from Switzerland is as comfortable as it gets, with fast and reliable internet, and plenty of co-working spaces and open Wi-Fi networks. Public transport, utilities and government services operate smoothly; everything is stable and predictable.

Another advantage is the excellent geographical location. Working online and living in Switzerland do not restrict your freedom. In just a few hours, you can be in France, Italy or Germany. This is truly convenient, allowing you to easily balance your professional life, leisure and personal life. There are virtually no significant restrictions; everything is predictable and stable.

The environment and nature are particularly good. The climate is comfortable, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and travel. You can choose almost any form of leisure activity — mountain sports, winter activities, or cycling trips. Fans of extreme sports often opt for rafting and kayaking.

To obtain permanent residence or citizenship, knowledge of one of the official languages is essential. However, if you are interested in a residence permit in Switzerland for remote work and have no specific plans to integrate into society, English will suffice for everyday life. The pace of life is more measured; it is calm and, in the best sense of the word, predictable. You’ll have time to relax and get to know your new country.

Possible alternatives

It is not possible to obtain a residence permit in Switzerland specifically for digital nomads. Because of this, many foreigners planning to move to a reputable and developed European country choose Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia or Greece. In these countries, you can obtain a digital nomad visa, the immigration rules are more lenient, and the standard of living is just as good. Does this make sense?

Switzerland’s advantages include a very high standard of living, stability, a welcoming attitude towards foreigners, the possibility of converting a residence permit into permanent residency or citizenship, and its reputation. For some foreigners, the latter two factors are the most important. However, moving to Switzerland is difficult for freelancers. Immigration laws do not provide for a separate ‘digital nomad’ visa, and the cost of living in the country is quite high.

A comparison of Switzerland and some other European countries for relocation:

Immigrating to Switzerland as a freelancer makes sense if safety and a very high standard of living are more important to you than low prices, affordable housing and lenient entry requirements. Provided you are financially able to maintain your accustomed standard of living and are prepared to deal with the hassle, such a venture has every chance of success.

You can go it alone, but this carries a higher risk of rejection and significant delays. Furthermore, difficulties often arise in calculating your new tax liabilities, finding suitable accommodation, gathering the necessary documents and organising the move. If you wish to simplify and speed up the preparation stage and reduce the risk of failure, please contact our specialists in any way that suits you.

FAQs about digital Nomad visa for switzerland