Useful links and information


Links to General Resources

  • ch.ch

    ch.ch helps you navigate the agencies of the federal, cantonal and communal administrations. Find answers to topical questions about everyday life in Switzerland and get linked to the appropriate agencies.

Living and Working in Switzerland – information booklets by the State Secretariat for Migration
These booklets are primarily intended for foreign nationals wishing to live and work in Switzerland. Compiled by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), they provide information on topics such as the country and its people; entry and stay, housing; working conditions; finding a job; social security; taxes, and much more.


Working in Switzerland

  • Location Switzerland

    Investing in Switzerland – web page operated by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) – provides investors and entrepreneurs with information such as statistics and tables on Switzerland’s assets as a business location.

  • Jobarea Switzerland

    The Regional Employment Centres (RAV) help job seekers find employment and deal with unemployment benefit claims.

  • Diploma recognition

    On these web pages, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) provides information on the procedures and the offices competent for recognising foreign vocational certificates and academic diplomas.

  • The SECO information page on employees’ rights

    On this web page, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) offers advice on employees’ and employers’ rights and obligations, provides information on working hours and rest period regulations, deals with topics such as occupational health, including provisions on pregnancy at work, and statutory provisions on the employment of young people under the age of 18.


Illegal employment

  • Informationen on illegal employment (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs)

    ‘Illegal employment’ generally refers to self-employment or other types of employment, which contravenes statutory regulations. It ranges from minor work by tradespeople done after they finish their 'day’ jobs to wholesale illegal employment designed to circumvent legislation on tax, social security, competition and, in particular, foreign nationals. The common thread with most forms of illegal employment is that they avoid public duties, sometimes to a considerable extent. Ultimately, the negative effects of illegal employment affect everyone. It is, therefore, important that undeclared work is consistently prevented and combated. To this end, the Federal Act on Illegal Employment was enacted at federal level. (Available in German, French and Italian)


Social Security and Health Care

  • Social Security Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME)

    Employees and employers, especially SMEs, will find answers here to their questions on the various forms of social insurance, compulsory contributions, benefit entitlement, and financing. You will also find information on conditions of employment, collective employment agreements, employers’ and employees’ rights and obligations, and international social security agreements.

  • Overview of social security in Switzerland

    The Federal Social Insurance Office provides an overview of social security in Switzerland.

  • Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)

    The FSIO web page offers the latest on social insurance, Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance (OASI), Disability Insurance (DI), supplementary benefits, occupational pension schemes, loss of earnings compensation, and family allowances.

  • Social insurance: international agreements

    This website provides insured persons with information on intergovernmental agreements on the coordination of national social insurance systems. Besides the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU, there are numerous agreements with individual countries.

  • Federal Office of Public Health

    The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) provides both up-to-date information on health and accident insurance and a survey of public health in Switzerland.

  • Social insurance for foreign nationals

    This section contains information on social insurance, unemployment and support for families.


Taxes and Charges

  • Customs

    On this site, the Federal Customs Administration (FCA) provides information on the requirements regarding the import and export of goods, the levying of taxes, and on the Free Trade Agreement.

  • Federal Tax Administration

    This site covers a vast array of tax-related questions and provides information on the Swiss system of taxation. Furthermore, it contains a taxpayer’s guide to assessing income and property tax.

  • Information on value-added tax

    On this Federal Tax Administration (FTA) operated site, business owners will find practical information on the obligations to pay taxes such as VAT and how to bill customers for these taxes. Taxpayers can download numerous forms (application, billing, change of domicile, etc.).

  • Links to cantonal tax authorities

    This link, provided by the Federal Tax Administration, helps you find the cantonal tax authorities and assess tax at source levied by the cantons.

  • Double Tax Conventions

    The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) runs a list of countries that are signatories to a double taxation convention and have agreed to give relief for withholding tax levied abroad.


Family reunion


Discontinuation of cabaret dancer status

From 1 January 2016, nationals from non-EU/EFTA states are no longer permitted to work as cabaret dancers in Switzerland. Article 34 of the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) has been abolished.

Further information is available in the press release of 22 October 2014 and in the information booklet.

Last modification 23.12.2020

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