Are you a citizen of an EU or EFTA member state and interested in learning more about living and working in Switzerland? The brochure "Living and Working in Switzerland" provides an abundance of useful information. It is available in English, German, French and Italian and is primarily directed at people who come to Switzerland to work.

The introduction of the free movement of persons involves the gradual opening of the labour market between Switzerland and the EU. Complete free movement of persons in the EU is effective for Swiss nationals since 1 June 2004, and for citizens of EU countries gradually over 12 years following the entry into force of the agreement. The right of free movement of persons is complemented by the mutual recognition of vocational qualifications, the right to buy property and the coordination of the social security system. The Integration Office DFA/DEA has published a detailed guide on this subject. There is an information platform (www.eures.admin.ch) specifically for EU and EFTA nationals.

Every person living in Switzerland is obliged to take out health insurance. In accordance with the law, health insurance companies may not refuse anyone applying for basic health insurance. This also applies to persons without a residence permit.
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has published a useful health guide, available in 19 languages. You can order the guide directly from the FOPH.

The "Social insurance Switzerland-EU" information platform informs EU / EFTA nationals about the applicable provisions, which are outlined in a brochure. The Federal Office for Social Security (FOSS) provides information on which provisions are applicable to the 10 new EU member states.
The brochure "Swiss social insurance system: Sojourn in Switzerland and departure" provides Third-country nationals, persons who have been officially granted asylum and stateless persons with an overview and a means to check whether there is a social insurance agreement between their country of origin and Switzerland.

Immigrant children and young people must attend school just like all other children living in Switzerland. Special measures are sometimes introduced when school-age children come to Switzerland and need to attend school in a language that is not their mother tongue (such as adjustment classes, special language classes, etc.).