Find Remote work in Switzerland - Updated 2022
Can I work remotely in Switzerland?
Workers with a valid Swiss residency permit can work remotely while residing in Switzerland, either for a Swiss firm (as negotiated) or for a foreign company.
In the last year, Swiss authorities have received an increasing number of inquiries about the possibility of performing remote work in Switzerland, particularly from individuals working for an employer based outside of Switzerland who wish to establish in Switzerland in order to perform remote work for an activity unrelated to the Swiss labor market.
For EU citizens
EU/EFTA citizens working remotely for an employer headquartered in Switzerland do not qualify as “salaried workers” under the Convention on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP).
Furthermore, if an activity in Switzerland has an influence or impact on the Swiss economy, the employer must cover its personnel through a secondment arrangement (e.g. mandate in Switzerland, contract with Swiss client, etc).
Swiss authorities, on the other hand, believe that EU nationals working from Switzerland for an employer overseas who is not connected to the Swiss labor market and has no contract with Swiss clients would be eligible for a residence visa (permit without work activity allowed).
Each scenario should be evaluated on an individual basis.
For Non-EU citizens
The interpretation changes for non-EU nationals since the prevailing legal framework differs from the AFMP.
Because the definition of “salaried worker” is broad, any foreigner (non-EU) wishing to work on Swiss land must apply for a switzerland work visa.
It should be highlighted that Swiss authorities are required to provide quotas based on the local and Swiss economic interest premise, which will be difficult to demonstrate for someone undertaking distant employment.
As a result, remote employment for non-EU citizens is projected to be permitted solely under the admission for other reasons such as family reunion or studies (permission without job activity), and primarily for those already admitted in Switzerland.
How to find remote jobs in switzerland?
Nearly half of all executive positions in Switzerland are held by foreigners, and this is especially true for highly trained foreigners.
Because of its excellent standard of life, competitive wages, and favorable working circumstances, Switzerland is a very desirable destination to relocate and find employment.
There is tremendous competition for jobs in Switzerland, and opportunities are more constrained for individuals who are not citizens of the EU or EFTA (European Free Trade Association), as there are frequently foreign employment quotas in Switzerland, even for highly skilled, qualified specialists.
Finding a job in Switzerland is still possible, and there is a modest number of positions available for English speakers, particularly in fields where there is a severe scarcity of competent labor.
But in the multilingual Switzerland, language is frequently essential to getting a job.
Nearly 100,000 jobs were open in Switzerland as of 2022 and the industries with the most talent shortages are:
- Engineering
- IT (Information Technology)
- Technical (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)
- Finance
- Legal
- Medicine and pharmaceutical
How to find remote work in Switzerland
Many websites that promote jobs in Switzerland for foreigners and in English, as well as options for remote or work from home, might help you locate general jobs in Switzerland:
Additionally, there are employment agencies in Switzerland that offer remote position. Any of Switzerland’s numerous private employment agencies makes registration simple.
In Switzerland, private recruitment firms are known as “agence de placement” or Arbeitsvermittlung. Two of the major agencies are Manpower and Adecco, but an internet search will turn up many more. The Swiss Yellow Pages also contain a list of companies that are authorized to operate in this sector. However, make sure you mention that you wish to work remotely, either from inside or outside the country.
Setting up your own business is another way to get work in Switzerland, however in order to be an owner or director of a Swiss firm, you must be a resident of Switzerland.
Just under 13% of the overall population in Switzerland is categorized as self-employed, a percentage that has been gradually dropping in recent years.
Approximately 8% of the international labor works for themselves.
Can I work remotely for a swiss company?
Assuming you have a valid work permit in Switzerland, you can work remotely if agreed upon with the firm under the employment status “EOR” or Employer of Record. If you are an EU citizens, agreements in place make this much easier.
Can I work from home in Switzerland?
As a general rule, all workers who reside and work in Switzerland, regardless of their employment contract, are permitted to work from home as long as operations permit. Companies want to give their employees more freedom since the possibility of working from home is an excellent way to recruit personnel.
As a result, many organizations are amenable to the notion of home working for at least some of their working hours, and many others are opting for a so-called “hybrid system,” in which duties are shared between the office and the home. However, there is no broad right to work from home, and supervisors are in charge of making judgments concerning remote working arrangements.
Can I work from home in a neighboring country for a company in Switzerland?
Switzerland will continue to apply flexible social security laws to remote employees until the end of 2022.
The implementation of a “no-impact policy” permits border employees to continue working from home without being liable to social security in their home country.
How long can I work in Switzerland?
If you are a non-Swiss citizen, you can work in Switzerland for up to three months at a time, but you need to be registered with the Swiss Federal Office of Migration. You can only work in Switzerland if you are registered and have a valid work permit. However, if you have a valid residence permit, you can work in Switzerland for up to three years. After that, you can apply for a new residence permit.
If you are a Swiss citizen, you can work in Switzerland for up to three months at a time, but you need to be registered with the Swiss Federal Office of Migration.
What is the residence permit for?
The residence permit is a document that allows you to live in Switzerland and work in other countries. You can get a residence permit for Switzerland if you have a valid residence permit from your country of origin.
Who can get a residence permit for Switzerland?
You can apply for a residence permit for Switzerland if you are a Swiss citizen, a foreign national who has a valid residence permit from your country of origin and if you have a valid visa for Switzerland.
What are the requirements for a residence permit for Switzerland?
You must be able to prove that you have a valid residence permit from your country of origin. You must also be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Switzerland.
How long can I stay in Switzerland with a residence permit for Switzerland?
You can stay in Switzerland for up to three years with a residence permit for Switzerland.
Can I live in Germany and work in Switzerland?
Yes you can live in Germany and work in Switzerland, many individuals already do this, and it can even make financial sense given to Germany’s substantially cheaper cost of living and Switzerland’s higher wage level. In Germany, you’ll require a resident permission, and in Switzerland, you’ll need a cross-border commuter permit (type G).
Can I live in France and work in Switzerland?
It’s possible to work in Switzerland while living in France by becoming a border worker. For that, you must live in France at least one day each week and work for a Swiss firm. When you get your G permit (Border Work Permit), you will have numerous substantial advantages over your current predicament.
Can you work in Switzerland if you only speak English?
Yes, it is possible to work in Switzerland if you only speak English. However, it is important to remember that if you only speak English, you will not be able to work in the public sector, and will therefore be reliant on private employment. You may be able to work in the private sector as a translator, however, this is a very competitive industry.
To find out more about what it is like to work in Switzerland, we spoke to a number of people who have worked in the private sector as a translator. To work as a translator in Switzerland, you need a Bachelor’s degree or higher, as well as a valid work permit.
What is a good salary in Switzerland?
A monthly income of 6,000 CHF to 9,000 CHF is considered a good salary in Switzerland. In US dollars, it means a good salary in Switzerland is between $6,100 and $9,100.