Your first weeks working abroad – registration, tax, insurance

1. Short jobs: if you work for a Swiss employer for up to three months (90 working days) a year, you need no permit – your employer must notify the job online at the latest the day before you start.
2. Register with your commune within 14 days of arrival and before you start work. There you also apply for your residence permit: an L permit for a contract under 12 months, a B permit (valid for five years) for 12 months or longer. If you live abroad and return home at least once a week, you get a cross-border commuter permit (G permit).
3. Looking for work on the spot? You can stay up to 6 months; for the first 3 months you need no permit.
4. Health insurance is compulsory – take it out no later than 3 months after arriving or starting work.
5. Social security contributions (AVS, AI, APG, AC and LPP – old-age, disability, loss of earnings, unemployment and occupational pension insurance) are deducted from your salary once it is above the legal thresholds.
6. Tax: unless you hold a C permit, your income tax is deducted at source – your employer pays it directly to the tax authorities.

Questions about your rights? The SEM free movement FAQ answers the most common ones, and EURES advisers in your home country can help.