13 August 2026
Moving to Switzerland from UK
If you want to immigrate to Switzerland from UK, our lawyers are at your service. Please contact our immigration lawyer in Switzerland for assistance.
If you need legal assistance in order to immigrate to Switzerland from the UK, our team is at your disposal. Below, our immigration lawyer in Switzerland explains the main steps and the visas available for UK citizens moving here.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements for UK nationals | No visa is required for travels of less than 3 months |
Special conditions applicable (YES/NO) | Yes, UK nationals (except those covered by the Citizens' Rights Agreement) fall under a separate quota of 3,500 work permits per year |
Relocation options | L permits can be obtained for short-term stay, B permits are issued for remaining here, C permits imply permanent relocation to Switzerland |
| Temporary residence options | L and B permits are available when to move to Switzerland from UK on a temporary basis |
| Permanent residence requirements | The C permit is available for those who move to Switzerland from UK permanently |
| Access to investor/citizenship by investment visa | No citizenship by investment; residence is possible via self-employment or lump-sum taxation (retirees) |
| Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.) | It takes approx. 4 to 6 weeks to be issued a |
| Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO) | YES, it is possbile to apply for family reunion visas |
| Investment visa requirements | Business registration and retirement can be used to immigrate to Switzerland from UK |
| Permanent residence timeframe | 10 years of living in Switzerland (5 years possible with good integration) |
| Citizenship requirements | Living in Switzerland for 10 years |
| Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO) | YES, a main residence with a B permit; without restrictions with a C permit |
| Switzerland-UK double tax treaty (YES/NO) | YES |
| Immigration services (YES/NO) | YES, our lawyers are at the service of persons who want to immigrate to Switzerland from UK |
| Post-immigration support (YES/NO) | YES, we offer support in short-term and temporary residency renewal, assistance in applying for permanent residence cards and Swiss citizenship |
| Immigration process affected by Brexit (YES/NO) | Yes, since 1 January 2021 newly arriving UK nationals are third-country nationals subject to a separate quota |
Relocation steps | – Residence visa application; – gathering the papers for immigration; – securing a place to stay; – applying for the entry visa. |
Special conditions to respect in terms of short-term residency | In the case of L and B permits for Switzerland, the duration of the visa is the same as the employment contract |
| Documents required for temporary residency | – Valid passport; – papers stating the reason for relocation; – proof of self-sufficiency. |
| Documents for permanent residency | – Valid passport and residence permit; – proof of local address; – clear criminal record. |
| Easiest way to move to Switzerland from UK | Employment is the easiest way to immigrate to Switzerland from UK |
| Special requirements to secure a work contract (if any) | The applicant must enter the quota of immigrants allowed to work in Switzerland, qualifications or experience for the sought position |
| Special requirements when moving to Switzerland as a dependent (if any) | Yes, A1 language proficiency is a main requirement to move to Switzerland from the UK based on a family reunion visa |
| Possibility to retire to Switzerland as a British citizen (YES/NO) | Yes, retirement is a relocation option for UK citizens |
| Retirement conditions | The applicant must be at least 55, must have special personal ties to Switzerland, must be financially sound, must live in Switzerland for the most part of the year |
| Support in visa refusal (YES/NO) | Yes, our lawyers can offer assistance in case of visa refusals |
| Support in renting/buying Swiss properties (YES/NO) | Yes, our specialists can help with renting/acquiring real estate |
| Support in registering with local authorities (YES/NO) | Yes, we are at the service of British citizens in this sense |
| Tax benefits for British citizens (if any) | Once securing residence permits, British citizens can obtain various tax deductions and reductions |
| Why move to Switzerland from UK | – Competitive labor and business markets; – access to well-paid jobs; – Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world. |
Is it harder to move to Switzerland after the UK left the EU and EEA?
Yes, somewhat: British citizens are now considered third-country nationals (separate quota), there are still several agreements in place between Switzerland and the UK.
What are my visa options for long-term relocation from the UK to Switzerland?
When British citizens want to move to Switzerland for extensive periods, they need to apply for one of the following types of visas:
- an L short-term residence permit which has a validity period of a maximum of 1 year;
- a B residence permit which can be obtained based on a work contract with a duration of more than 12 months;
- a C long-term or settlement permit which allows for an indefinite stay, and which must be renewed every 5 years;
- a Ci residence permit, which is issued to spouses and children (up to 25) of staff of intergovernmental organisations and foreign representations who take up employment.
The following two steps must be followed in order to move to Switzerland: apply for a family visa, study visa, or work visa, and obtain the necessary residency permit.
Here is also an infographic on how to move to Switzerland from UK:
Where do I file my application for moving to Switzerland from the UK?
You can address the Swiss Embassy in London.
What documents do I need to immigrate to Switzerland from the UK?
The following documents need to be prepared and filed with the Swiss Embassy in the UK:
- the valid passport (as mentioned above, it is recommended to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of the application);
- proof of rental agreement (for this, the applicant will need to secure a place to stay before moving to Switzerland);
- a recent passport-sized photograph;
- supporting documents proving the relocation reason (work contract, business plan, etc.).
What are the most common pathways to immigrate to Switzerland from the UK?
Employment and retirement or financial independence.
How can I move to Switzerland from the UK based on employment?
If you fit the following criteria, you can apply for a work visa in Switzerland:
- you are an experienced professional, have worked for a number of years, and have a particular area of competence;
- you were already offered a job in a Swiss company;
- you enter the quota on Swiss work permits.
How can I retire to Switzerland as a British citizen?
To qualify for a Swiss retirement visa, British nationals must fulfill the following requirements:
- they are at least 55 and have special personal ties to Switzerland;
- they have the financial means to support themselves;
- they must spend the majority of the year in Switzerland;
- they must acquire health insurance.
Here is also our video on this subject:
Can I apply for a temporary residency directly if I want to relocate to Switzerland from the UK?
Yes, you can. Make sure the permit you apply for matches the reason for relocation. If you are not sure about your options, it is always a good idea to request a consultation from our Swiss immigration lawyers.
What do I need to do after I am approved a temporary residence permit for Switzerland?
You also need to apply for a long-term visa, the so-called national D visa.
How long does it take to move to Switzerland from the UK after I am granted a temporary residence card?
It depends on how soon you can find a place to stay.
NOTE: It is advisable to seek accommodation after having your residence permit issuance confirmed.
Are there other procedures to complete after I move to Switzerland from the UK?
Yes, there are a few more steps to go through to legally settle here, namely:
- register in the local city/town where you will reside within a maximum of 2 weeks from arrival;
- apply for health insurance within a maximum of 3 months from arrival.
NOTE: It is also important to announce you’re leaving the UK prior to relocating to Switzerland.
How long to qualify for a Swiss permanent residence permit as a British national?
You need to reside in Switzerland for a minimum period of 10 years.
If you want to move to Switzerland from the UK and need assistance, please contact our lawyers.