In Switzerland, self-employment is the exercise of an activity within the framework of one's own, freely chosen Organization (Company),

  1. which is aimed at generating income,
  2. is under its own authority and
  3. bears the entrepreneurial risk itself.

Employed persons from EU/EFTA countries

Employed persons from the EU/EFTA countries can benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons and have the right to freely reside and work in Switzerland. This applies to both employees and the self-employed. A B residence permit is sufficient for self-employed entrepreneurs. Such a permit is issued if proof of permanent, actually practiced, self-employed work can be provided. The relevant documents must be submitted for this.

workers from third countries

Employed persons from all other countries (third countries) have no entitlement to residence and employment in Switzerland. You must therefore have an appropriate request place. The admission of a third-country national to a self-employment must dem overall economic interest of Switzerland correspond. This can be the case when a service is to be offered for which there is strong demand and no oversupply, as well as when jobs are created or investments are made. Furthermore, the necessary financial and operational requirements must be met.

As a rule, for the time being one short-term residence permit granted for 12 months, which can be extended by a further 12 months. The transformation into one Residence permit is dependent on the timely realization of the promised long-term effects of the founding of the company (jobs created and investments made).

Short-stay and residence permits for gainful employment can only be granted to executives, specialists and other qualified workers. In the Granting of a residence permit must also have professional qualifications, professional and social adaptability, language skills and age sustainable integration can be expected in the Swiss labor market and the social environment.

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