27 November 2024

Switzerland to retain work permit quotas for EEA, UK and third-country nationals in 2025

On 27 November 2024, the Swiss government announced that the annual quotas for nationals of the UK, European Economic Area (EEA) Member States and countries outside the EEA ("third-country nationals"), who seek to obtain short-term and long-term work permits (i.e., L and B Permits) in 2025, will be the same as those for 2024. In recent years, including in 2024, quotas have not been fully utilized due to several factors, including long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, current economic conditions and potential changes in companies' mobility strategies. As of the end of October 2024, only 67% (for B Permits) and 59% (for L Permits) of the quotas for third-country nationals had been used. The quota utilization rates for EEA nationals as of October 2024 were 32% (for B Permits) and 46% (for L Permits), and those for UK nationals were only 20% (for B Permits) and 16% (for L Permits).

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2024-2173