Below you will find information and useful links regarding registration and authorisation requirements, minimum and average wages, self-employment, social services and unemployment among foreign nationals living in Switzerland.
Seeking employment in Switzerland
Working in Switzerland as a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state
As a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state, you may enter, live and work in Switzerland. Special restrictions apply to citizens of EU-8 member states and from the 1st of June 2013 to the citizens of EU-17 (safeguard clause) as well as to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.
Working in Switzerland as a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state
Working in Switzerland as third-country nationals
Here you will find information about the requirements that must be met in order to work in Switzerland for third-country nationals.
Recognition of Mexican diplomas in Switzerland
In Switzerland, there are regulated and non-regulated professions, which is important for the recognition of foreign diplomas.
Detailed information on the subject is available on the link of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation - SEFRI.
The competent authorities and institutions decide on the equivalence of a foreign diploma with the Swiss diploma or certificate. If there are significant differences in training, it may be necessary to complete the training in Switzerland. The general procedure for recognition of diplomas consists of two steps:
1. In the professional's country of origin (Mexico)
In accordance with the Hague Convention, an application for an apostille of the diploma may be filed with the Ministry of the Federal Government of Mexico, at the Dirección de Coordinación Política con los Poderes de la Unión, Calle Río Amazonas Número 62, planta baja, Col. Cuauhtémoc, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, Postal Code 06500. Mexico City. Telephone +5255 5093 3000, extension 35036 or 35050.
2. In the country of destination (Switzerland)
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation - SEFRI is competent for the recognition of foreign professional and academic diplomas allowing the practice of a regulated profession in Switzerland.
In the case of non-regulated professions, it is (in principle) not necessary to apply for recognition of the diploma. The employer decides on the equivalence of the diploma.
Minimum wage and average earnings in Switzerland
Swiss law does not specify any minimum wage or average earnings. In most cases, pay levels are agreed between the employer and the employee during the recruitment process.
AHV for returnees
I worked in Switzerland. Am I entitled to a refund or a pension after my departure?
Social insurance for foreign nationals
Social insurance in Switzerland: as a foreign national, what do I need to know about state pensions, maternity leave, invalidity benefits, unemployment benefits, etc.?
Foreign nationals unemployed in Switzerland
As a foreign national working in Switzerland, you do not need to immediately leave Switzerland if you lose your job or if your employment contract expires.
Self-employment
Here you will find information on the steps that you need to take in order to become self-employed.
