Switzerland has agreements in place for the nationals of the European Union as well as EFTA countries – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. But are conditions equal for all?
In discussions concerning foreign population in Switzerland the focus is invariably on the citizens of the European Union, as well as the bilateral treaties between Bern and Basel.
Much less attention, however, is given to EFTA nationals – possibly because there are far fewer of them living in Switzerland.
Official figures don’t distinguish between EU and EFTA residents.
According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), just over 1.5 million people from both blocs were living in Switzerland at the end of 2024.
The vast majority of them are EU citizens, with EFTA nationals making up only a very small proportion of that number: approximately 5,000 Norwegians and 1,764 Liechtenstein citizens are currently residing in the country, with the number of people from Iceland not available.
READ ALSO: Why do rich Norwegians flee to Switzerland?
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Do they have the same rights in Switzerland as EU citizens?
Yes, they do.
According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Bern and Brussels also grants citizens of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, “rights similar to EU citizens regarding residence, work, and property in Switzerland”
“This agreement extends EU rules and directives, such as those on asylum and migration, to EFTA states, which then integrate them into their national laws,” SEM said.
In practical terms, this also means that EFTA nationals are treated the same – that is, equally, with their EU and Swiss counterparts in terms of access to work permits and jobs in Switzerland.
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In other words, when choosing among equally qualified candidates from various countries, employers must judge Swiss nationals on an equal footing with Switzerland-based foreigners and people from the EU and EFTA states.
They may not even consider applicants from third countries unless no suitable candidate can be found from the ‘priority’ pool of Swiss and/or EU and EFTA candidates.
The same would also apply if Bern would be bound by its new package of treaties with Brussels to comply with certain EU rules – for instance, one that would allow citizens of the European Union to live in Switzerland without having a job – if this is adapted, then the same right would be automatically extended to EFTA nationals as well.
READ ALSO: Will half a million foreigners get the Swiss ‘C’ permit with no conditions attached?
