22 September 2026
Moving to Switzerland from Australia
If you are interested in moving to Switzerland from Australia, you can rely on us. Please contact our immigration lawyer in Switzerland for details.
If you want to move to Switzerland from Australia, you need to complete various formalities depending on the reason for relocation. Our immigration lawyers are at your service with tailored solutions to ease the entire procedure.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa issuing authority | State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). |
Australians need a visa to move to Switzerland | No need for short stays, and since 2022 no visa is needed for longer stays either, but a residence permit assurance from the canton is required before entry. |
Types of visas available | – Type C (short-term visas); – types D (long-term visas). |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 8-10 weeks. |
| Validity of L residence permit | 1 year. |
| Validity of B residence permit | 1 year, renewable (5 years only for EU/EFTA citizens). |
| Swiss C permit eligibility | Australians who have resided in Switzerland for a duration ranging from 5 to 10 years are the only ones qualified to apply for a C (settlement) permit. |
| Possible to renew residence permits (Yes/No) | Yes, if you meet certain criteria. |
| Swiss investor visa | If you are moving to Switzerland from Australia on an investor visa, the usual naturalisation rules apply (10 years of residence and a C permit); Switzerland has no investor visa as such. |
| Startup visa scheme availability (Yes/No) | No dedicated startup visa; self-employed non-EU nationals may obtain a permit if the business serves Swiss economic interests. |
| Sponsorship requirement | Swiss consulate might ask for a declaration of sponsorship. If you are relocating to Switzerland from Australia, our lawyers can guide you if you need one. |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | If you hold a C permit and lived in Switzerland for 10 years, you might be eligible to apply for naturalization. |
| Tax benefits for foreign citizens | Switzerland offers over 100 potential tax deductions, ranging from widely applicable ones to those applicable only in specific situations. |
| Taxation of Australian citizens | Switzerland has a double tax treaty with Australia. So, if you are immigrating to Switzerland from Australia, you do not need to worry about double taxation. The federal income tax is capped at 11.5%; cantonal and communal taxes come on top (combined top rates roughly 22%-45%). |
| Currency | Swiss franc |
How difficult is it to immigrate to Switzerland from Australia?
The procedure of moving to Switzerland from Australia is not difficult, if you do not take into account the distance, as long as all your travel documents are in order and you make appropriate accommodation arrangements before you arrive here.
Aside from our immigration services, we also offer another type of support which usually targets the relocation procedure. We can advise on the lease or rental agreements, registration with the Swiss tax authorities and other agencies you might need representation with. Helping you get acquainted with local rules is also part of our expat services in Switzerland.
Do I need an entry visa when I move to Switzerland from Australia?
No, this is one of the facilities you can benefit from as an Australian relocating to Switzerland: you need no entry visa, no matter the reason for immigration.
What are my immigration options as an Australian in Switzerland?
You can apply for:
- a work visa;
- a business visa;
- family reunification visa.
You can also study in Switzerland if you were accepted into a Swiss educational facility.
We also have an infographic on this subject below:
What formalities do I need to complete when moving to Switzerland from Australia?
Here are some general principles:
- if you move based on employment or family reunion, the employer, respectively family member, will act as your sponsor;
- when you apply for a work visa, you must also obtain a Swiss residence permit approval from the authority in the canton you will be living in;
- shortly after arriving, enrol for healthcare, as there is no public healthcare system in Switzerland.
IMPORTANT! Switzerland issues residence permits based on annual quotas for non-EU/EFTA workers (EU/EFTA employees are not subject to quotas). Make sure you check with our immigration lawyers in Switzerland if you are eligible for the annual quota.
Where do I submit my immigration papers when relocating to Switzerland?
To the migration office of the canton where you will live (assurance of residence permit); the Consulate General in Sydney is not involved.
What types of residence permits can I obtain when I move to Switzerland from Australia?
The following:
- L residence permits which are issued for short stays of no more than 12 months;
- B residence permits which are issued for limited stay, however, their validity can reach up to 5 years. Whether you are from the EU/EFTA or not, you must apply for a B Permit in Switzerland if you want to stay in this country for more than three months. You have 14 days after entering Switzerland to submit an application for a residence permit. You must first register at the Residents Registration Office before making arrangements to pick up your residence permit from the canton’s migration office.
- C residence permits which are the equivalent of permanent residence permits and are issued after 10 years of living in Switzerland (5 years with good integration).
What documents must I prepare when relocating to Switzerland from Australia?
The following:
- valid passport;
- the cantonal assurance of a residence permit (Australians have not needed a national D visa since 2022; the assurance must be obtained prior to starting the Swiss immigration procedure);
- documents associated with the reason for relocation to Switzerland.
If for business purposes, the documents that need to be prepared should be related to the creation of a company, when it comes to employment, a copy of the labor agreement should be included in the application.
How long does it take to obtain a Swiss residence permit for temporary stay as an Australian?
Approximately 2 months.
What is the validity of a Swiss temporary residence permit?
The Swiss B permit has a one-year validity period with the possibility of renewal.
For assistance in immigrating to Switzerland from Australia, please contact our immigration lawyers.