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Read ourgeneral coronavirusguidance travelon advicemoving or retiring abroad.

Stay

To stay up to date

You should:date:

• sign up for email alerts on living in Switzerland
• follow the UKBritish Embassy inBerne Switzerland on Facebook and Twitter

The

If Britishyou Embassywere regularlyliving holdsin events across Switzerland asbefore well1 asJanuary online (Facebook) for UK nationals.

2021

YouSome canparts also:

• readof thethis UK-Swissguide Citizens’only Rightsapply Agreementif andyou ourhave Explainer
• lookbeen through the official Swiss government page for UK nationals living in Switzerland andsince theirbefore FAQs
• watch1 ourJanuary explanatory2021. video
• You should read ourthese guidancein onaddition stayingto safethe andrest healthyof abroad

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Coronavirus

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• theon UK-Swissgetting Citizens’a RightsCOVID-19 Agreement
• ourvaccine Explainer
• theas Swissa government’sUK FAQsnational forin UKSwitzerland nationalsread coronavirus travel advice

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Visas and residency

CheckYou themust entrytell requirementsthe forUK Switzerland.

Residency

Ifgovernment youoffices werethat legallydeal residentwith inyour Switzerlandbenefits, beforepension 1and Januarytax 2021,if you canare staymoving andor yourretiring current residence permit remains valid.abroad.

YouCheck shouldthe reapplyentry requirements for aSwitzerland. newYou permitshould beforealso yourread existingthe oneSwiss expires.Government’s Thisguidance appliesfor whetherUK younationals holdcoming ato shortSwitzerland orto longwork stayfrom permit,1 orJanuary a2021. frontierIt workerexplains permit.

Read the SwissForeign government’sNationals FAQsand forIntegration UKAct nationals.

Moving(FNIA) torequirements Switzerland

Youyou havemust to meet theto termslive ofor thework Foreignin NationalsSwitzerland.

The andFederal IntegrationCourt Act.sets Ifquotas youfor areresidence planningpermits toand moveshort tostay Switzerlandpermits. youThe haveCourt toreleases obtainquotas aevery work3 permitmonths and arethe subjectcantons tomanage athem. quota for UK nationals.

Read the Swiss Embassy guidance on residency permits.

Within 14 days of arrivingarriving, you must register at theyour local office of resident services in theyour municipality where you are staying (Einwohnerdienste or Centre du contrôle des habitants).

If you stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit with your local cantonal authority in the municipality where you live (Einwohnerdienste or Centre du contrôle des habitants).

InternationalIf permitsyou (cartesare deemployed légitimation)by an international organisation

InternationalIf permitsyou have an international permit (cartes de légitimation)légitimation), you are not affectedcovered by the UKUK-Swiss leavingCitizens’ theRights EU.Agreement. Special provisions continue to apply to international permit holders wishing to retire and remain in Switzerland.Switzerland.

UK

Visas nationalsand withresidency anif internationalyou permitwere areliving not in theSwitzerland scopebefore of1 theJanuary UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

Passports and travel2021

YouIf shouldyou carryhave yourlived residencein permit,Switzerland assince wellbefore as1 yourJanuary valid2021, passport when you travel.and Ifyour youfamily members have appliedrights butunder notthe yetUK received- yourSwiss card,Citizens’ carryRights yourAgreement. certificateYour ofcurrent application.

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Passports

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Passports Switzerland, and youtravel

Coronavirus aretravel inrestrictions scopemay ofaffect thetravel Swissto Citizens’and Rightsfrom Agreement.Switzerland.

IfYou youcan renewedapply yourfor currentor passportrenew beforeyour theBritish previouspassport onefrom expired,Switzerland.

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Always expirycarry date. Any extra months on your passport overwhen 10travelling yearswithin may not count towards the 6Schengen months needed.

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Entry requirements

YouIf canyou travelvisit to other Schengen area countries foroutside upSwitzerland, tomake 90sure daysyou indo anynot 180-dayexceed periodthe withoutvisa-free a visa for purposes such as tourism.

To stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period,period. toYou workare orresponsible study, or for businesscounting travel,how long you muststay meetunder the entrySchengen requirementsvisa setwaiver, outand by the country you aremust travellingcomply to.with Thisits could mean applying for a visa or work permit.conditions.

Periods of time authorised bya visa or permit will not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area.area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Travel

If toyou thewere UKliving andin IrelandSwitzerland hasbefore not1 changed.

DrivingJanuary in Switzerland

2021

IfWhen you aretravel, residentcarry inyour Switzerlandresidence youdocument have(Aufenthaltsbewilligung/Permis 12de monthsséjour/Permessi di dimora) or frontier worker permit issued under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement, in addition to swapyour valid passport.

You must proactively show your UKresidence licencedocument, foror aother Swissevidence one.of Youresidence canstatus, doif thisyou atare asked to show your localpassport cantonalat authority.border Yourcontrol. UKOther licenceevidence willmay be acceptedyour intenancy Switzerlandagreement foror upa toutility 12bill months.

Forin informationyour onname, drivingdating infrom Switzerland,2020. readIf theyou guidancehave on:

• drivingapplied licencefor, exchangebut andnot renewal
• whatyet youreceived, needyour toresidence drivedocument, abroad
• roadshow travelyour incertificate Switzerland

of registration.

WhenIf drivingyou cannot prove that you are resident in Switzerland, you shouldmay alwaysbe haveasked your:

• drivingadditional licence
• carquestions papers
• insuranceat paper
• MOT/Controlthe techniqueborder certificate
• passportto orenter IDthe andSchengen thosearea. ofYour yourpassport passengers

Drivingmay inbe thestamped UKon withentry aand Swissexit. licence

YouThis canwill usenot affect your Swissrights licence in the UKcountry for short visits, or exchangecountries itwhere foryou alive UKor licencework. withoutIf taking a test.

Bringingpassport ais UK-registeredstamped, vehiclethe tostamp Switzerland

Readis ourconsidered guidancenull onand takingvoid awhen vehicleyou outcan show evidence of thelawful UK.residence.

If you usehave yourrights vehicleunder inthe SwitzerlandUK-Swiss forCitizens’ moreRights thanAgreement, oneyou year,can youenter needand toexit declareSwitzerland itwith toa customs.valid passport. You cando readnot theneed Swissany government’sadditional guidancevalidity on enteringthe Switzerlandpassport withbeyond athe motordates vehicle.on which you are travelling.

Healthcare

TheRead UK-Swissour Citizens’guidance Rightson Agreementhealthcare protects the rights of UK nationals resident in Switzerland beforeand 1make Januarysure 2021,you forare ascorrectly longregistered asfor theyyour remaincircumstances.

Travel ininsurance scope.is Yournot accessintended to cover healthcare incosts Switzerlandif willyou notlive change,overseas.

Unless as long as you arehave coveredUK-funded byhealthcare thein agreement.

YouSwitzerland, you must takebuy out compulsory insurance with a Swiss health insurance company nowithin later than 3 months afterof arriving or beginning to work in Switzerland.

Read You can look at the Swiss government’sgovernment websiteguidance for information on:

• health insurance for foreigners in Switzerland
• social insurance for foreign nationals

If you are living or working in Switzerland, you need to have

old-age and survivors’ insurance and

disability insurance.

ReadYou ourshould also read guidance onon:

• finding healthcarean English-speaking doctor in Switzerland and makeLiechtenstein
• travelling surewith you’remedicines

Working correctlyin registered.

Switzerland

If youryou UKare employerplanning hasto sentmove you to Switzerland temporarily,and yourwork, accessyou have to healthcareget a work permit. There is different.a Findwork outpermit howquota tofor accessUK healthcarenationals.

Read the Swiss government’s guidance on working in Switzerland as a postedforeign workernational.

State healthcare:and S1

Ifhow youto haveget a registeredvisa.

If S1you formwork and8 werehours livingor inmore Switzerlanda beforeweek, 1you’re Januarycovered 2021,against youroccupational rightsand tonon-occupational accessaccidents healthcareby willyour stayemployer.

To theapply samefor ifa job you aremay either:need to:

• receivingprovide a UK Statepolice Pensioncertificate
• receivingget someyour otherqualification ‘exportablerecognised benefits’
• a frontier worker who lives in Switzerland and commutes to work in the UK

Read our guidance onon:

• working usingor anproviding S1services form in Switzerland

If to ensure you arewere correctlyliving registeredin forSwitzerland healthcare.

Europeanbefore Health1 InsuranceJanuary Card (EHIC)2021

IfYou youhave arethe residentright into Switzerland,work youunder mustthe notUK-Swiss useCitizens’ yourRights UK-issuedAgreement EHICif foryou healthcarehave inan Switzerland.

IfAufenthaltsbewilligung youor werePermis livingde inséjour Switzerlandor beforePermessi 1di Januarydimora, 2021,or youhave mayapplied be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC if you’re:one.

• a

  If UKyou studentlive in Switzerland

• a UKand Statewere Pensionerregularly withcommuting ato registeredwork S1
• ain frontieranother workerEU withor aEFTA registeredcountry S1

Applybefore now1 forJanuary a2021, newread UKour EHICguidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

AnYou EHICmay isneed notto aget replacementyour forprofessional comprehensivequalification travelrecognised insurance.

Forif moreyou informationwant readto ourwork guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europea andprofession advicethat onis foreignregulated travelin insurance.Switzerland.

YouRead should also read guidance on:

• findingrecognition anof English-speakingprofessional doctor in Switzerland and Liechtensteinqualifications
• checkinghow ifto get your prescriptionsqualification arerecognised legal in Switzerland

Working in Switzerland

If you were legallyliving resident in Switzerland before 1 January 2021,2021

If youthe haverelevant theregulator rightin toSwitzerland work,officially asrecognised longyour asprofessional youqualification remainbefore legally1 resident.

IfJanuary you2021, areor planningyou tostarted movethe torecognition Switzerlandprocess youby havethis todate, obtainmake asure workyou permitunderstand andthe areterms subjectof toyour adecision. quotaYou forshould UKget nationals.advice Readfrom the Swissrelevant Embassyregulator.

Studying guidancein on residency permits.

Switzerland

If you workplan 8to hoursstudy orin moreSwitzerland, ayou week,must you’remeet coveredall againstvisa occupationalrequirements andbefore non-occupationalyou accidents by your employer.travel.

IfContact youthe liverelevant abroadhigher andeducation requireprovider ain policeSwitzerland certificateto fromcheck thewhat UK,fees applyyou may have to thepay.

Read ACROguidance Criminalon Recordhealthcare Officefor students in Switzerland.

Frontier workers

If you live in Switzerland and were regularlyliving commuting to work in anotherSwitzerland EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021,2021

You youcontinue may need a permit to showbe thateligible youfor arebroadly athe frontiersame worker.

Ifstudent yousupport liveas inunder theFMOPA UK(EU or– anotherSwiss EUFree orMovement EFTAof countryPersons andAgreement), commuteif to work in Switzerland you needmeet athe permit.eligibility criteria. Read the SwissUK government’s– guidanceSwiss onCitizens’ theRights SwissAgreement cross-borderand commuterthe permitexplainer (Permitfor G).more information.

Money and taxTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland toso ensurethat peopleyou do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

ExistingYou doubleshould taxationget arrangementsprofessional foradvice UKon nationalspaying livingtax in SwitzerlandSwitzerland. haveFind notan changed.English-speaking lawyer in Switzerland.

Read guidance about:on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad

See

tax theif Swissyou government’sget detaileda pension and live abroad

Swiss government’s information on paying tax.

paying income tax in Switzerland

You

National shouldinsurance obtainand professionalsocial advicesecurity oncontributions

National payingInsurance-type taxcontributions in(NIC) Switzerland.are Findcalled an‘social English-speakingsecurity lawyercontributions’ (SSC) in Switzerland.

NationalSwitzerland. Insurance

Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Switzerland.

You can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and your UK National Insurance record.

Read guidance on:

• national insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions for workers coming to the UK from the EEA or Switzerland

PensionsBenefits

UK benefits

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Switzerland.

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Swiss benefits

You willmay needbe eligible to tellclaim some Swiss social security benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Swiss benefits and how to claim, read the UKguidance governmenton officessocial thatsecurity dealbenefits withand yoursocial benefits,insurances.

Pensions

Read pensionguidance on entitlement to UK benefits and taxpensions ifwhile you are movingliving in Switzerland.

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or retiringNew abroadZealand. and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Switzerland, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pensions Centre tofor claimfurther information
• your Swiss retirement provisionincome, if you worked in Switzerland
• pensions from working abroad, if youyou’ve have worked in other EU countries

ForRead morethe informationMoney onand yourPension SwissService’s retirementMoneyHelper provision, you can read the Swiss government’s guidance on:

• howon thepension systemand worksretirement
• how tofor managemore yourinformation retirementon provision

cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read ourthe Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on entitlementpension toand UKretirement benefitsfor more information on cross-border pensions.

Accommodation and pensionsbuying whileproperty

Read the guidance on buying a property abroad.

If you already own a property, property rights are livingprotected inunder Switzerland.the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

Driving in Switzerland

You willcannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Switzerland. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Switzerland:

• what you need to telldrive in the UKEU governmentincluding officesinformation thatfor dealIceland, withLiechtenstein, yourNorway benefits,and pensionSwitzerland
• driving andlicence taxrules in Switzerland if you arelive movingthere
• road ortravel retiringin abroadSwitzerland.

Exchanging your UK licence

CheckIf whichyou live in Switzerland, you must exchange your UK benefitslicence for a Swiss one at your local cantonal authority within 12 months of moving. You do not need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

Exchanging your Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man licence

If you canhave claima whilelicence abroadfrom andGibraltar, howJersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to claimtake them.a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of getting a Swiss licence.

Disabled drivers

ManyIf income-relatedyou benefitshave sucha asUK pensionBlue creditBadge and housinglive benefitin cannotSwitzerland, beyou paidmust return it to youthe iforiginal you’reUK abroadissuing authority. You can apply for morea thannew fourSwiss weeks.disabled parking card at your canton’s road traffic office.

YouRead canthe requestEU proofguidance ofon the timeEU you’veparking workedcard infor people with disabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Switzerland

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If fromyou HMRCuse ifyour youvehicle arein askedSwitzerland for this.more than one year, you must declare it to customs. Read the Swiss government’s guidance on entering Switzerland with a motor vehicle.

Driving outside Switzerland with a Swiss benefitslicence

You maycan beuse eligibleyour Swiss licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If you go to claimlive somein the UK, you can exchange your Swiss sociallicence securityfor benefits.a UK one without taking a test.

To finddrive outin ifanother youcountry, arein entitledaddition to your Swiss benefitslicence andyou howmay need to claim,apply readfor thean guidanceIDP onat socialyour securitycanton’s benefitsroad andtraffic social insurancesoffice.

Voting

Although foreign nationals cannot vote in Switzerland at federal level, several cantons and communes give foreign nationals voting rights. Read the Swiss government guidance on voting rights of foreign nationals.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deathsdeaths, marriage and gettingcivil marriedpartnerships

If your child is born in Switzerland, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register athe birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Switzerland you can:

• read our guidance on on:
  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • readbereavement our guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Switzerland
  • findFinding a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Switzerland

  Find out about how toyou can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  You may also need:

  • notarial and documentary services
  • English-speaking lawyers and notaries in Switzerland
  • English-speaking translators and interpreters in Switzerland

  Pets

  ForIf travelyou’re moving to EEASwitzerland EFTAwith countriesyour frompet, read the UK,guidance petand ownersensure mustyou checkcomply with the requirementsregulations:

  • taking ofyour theirpet destinationabroad
  • taking country.dogs, Readcats theand Swissferrets governmentto guidance on travelling with petsSwitzerland.

  ATo GB-issuedvisit EUother petcountries passportwith isyour notpet, validcheck forthe travelrules tofor the EUcountry oryou’re Northerntravelling Ireland.to. YouContact should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents andyour ensurepet you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.needs.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to GBGreat Britain
  • travelling. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to Northerndate. IrelandVets within yourGreat pet

  CheckBritain thecannot rulesenter ofrabies thevaccination countrydetails you’rein non-UK issued pet passports

• travelling to forIreland anywith additionalyour restrictionspet
• travelling orwith requirementsyour beforepet youin travel.
  the EU

Emergencies

YouDial can dial the European emergency number 112 orin youSwitzerland canfor dialthe inpolice, Switzerland:ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

• 117 for police
• 118 for fire
• 144 for ambulance
• 1414 for Swiss air-rescue
• 116 000 for missing children

If you need information on child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad, contact the British Embassy Berne.

Accommodation and buying property

Read the guidance onif buyingyou ahave propertybeen abroad.the Ifvictim youof alreadya ownrape aor property,sexual propertyassault rightsin areSwitzerland.

Returning protectedto underthe UK

Check the UK-SwissCOVID-19 Citizens’travel Rightsguidance Agreement.

Returningfor toentering the UK

.

Tell the UKSwiss and SwissUK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you get healthcare in Switzerland through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax,bringing accessfamily tomembers, servicestax and bringingaccess familyto members.services.

Disclaimer

Please

Useful note that this information

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