Brit Expats Living in Switzerland - What to Expect Post-Brexit

Thanks to an agreement reached between the UK and Switzerland, UK nationals have their rights protected in Switzerland, whether the UK reaches a deal with the EU or not.

The Swiss-UK Agreement will protect UK nationals who are resident in Switzerland.

The Agreement will commence at the end of the Brexit implementation period and in a no-deal scenario, would take effect from the day the UK leaves the EU.

UK nationals retain the right to stay and work in Switzerland, including those who work in Switzerland but who live across one of the Swiss borders (‘frontalier’ or ‘border’ workers). Protection includes social security benefits, access to an uprated state pension, continued recognition of professional qualifications and access to healthcare.

The UK government website has published some information explaining things further:

UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement and the Explainer.

Currently, if you move to Switzerland, you have to register at your local office of resident services (Einwohnerdienste or Centre du contrôle des habitants) within the first two weeks of arrival and if you’re employed for more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit.

UK nationals residing in Switzerland will be protected under the UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement post-Brexit. If you are within the scope of this Agreement, you won’t need to take any specific action, though in the meantime it is advisable to reapply for a new permit before the expiration date of the existing one, whatever type of Swiss resident permit you have.

Current travel rules between the UK and Switzerland will apply until the end of the Brexit implementation period and in the case of no deal, UK nationals would still not need a visa to enter Switzerland for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period.

The UK and Switzerland have reached a transitional migration agreement, which will apply even if there’s no deal. This agreement would allow UK workers to access the Swiss labour market and Swiss workers to access the UK labour market until December 2020.

With regards to healthcare, insurance with a Swiss health insurance company is compulsory no later than 3 months after arriving or beginning to work in Switzerland. You can look at the Swiss government’s website for information on health insurance for foreigners in Switzerland

For further information on the Agreement and UK citizens in Switzerland post-Brexit, see here.

Forth Capital specialises in expat pensions and investments – to speak to one of our advisers, click HERE or call 00 41 22 311 1441