Updated on April 27, 2026
Residence Permit – Switzerland
Are you Swiss or a family member? Here you will learn how to prove your stay in Germany and obtain the permit.
At a glance
How do you get a Swiss residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis-Schweiz)?
Are you a Swiss national or a family member of a Swiss national? Then you must register your stay in person at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within 3 months of your arrival.
The authority will check whether you have a right to free movement (Freizügigkeitsrecht). This right is governed by the Agreement between the European Community and Switzerland of 21 June 1999.
If the right to free movement applies, the authority will issue you the Swiss residence permit. With this permit, you are allowed to live and work in Germany.
You must appear in person at the immigration office for the appointment. Schedule the appointment in advance via the contact form with the responsible departments F 1 and F 2.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can obtain the Swiss residence permit if you are a Swiss national. For families, it is sufficient if at least one family member holds Swiss citizenship.
Additional requirements
- You must have your main residence registered in Berlin.
- You must appear in person at the immigration office and schedule an appointment in advance via the contact form with departments F 1 and F 2.
How to apply
Schedule an appointment via the contact form with departments F 1 and F 2 at the immigration office
Gather all required documents: completed application form, valid passport or ID card, biometric passport photo, registration confirmation, and your proof of the right to free movement or family relationship
Attend the appointment in person at the immigration office within 3 months of your arrival
Submit your application and have your right to free movement reviewed
Done! If you have the right to free movement, the authority will issue you the Swiss residence permit
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
Swiss nationals aged 24 and over
- Swiss nationals up to age 2427,60 EUR
- Family members from third countries – adults100,00 EUR
- Family members from third countries – minors50,00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site6,00 EUR
Good to know
After five years of lawful residence in Germany, you receive special protection. The authority can then only withdraw your free movement right on grounds of public order or security. You may then also receive social benefits.
Schweizer Arbeitnehmer, Selbstständige und ihre freizügigkeitsberechtigten Familienangehörigen, die sich seit 5 Jahren in Deutschland ständig rechtmäßig aufhalten, erlangen mittelbar aus dem Abkommen einen Schutz vor der Feststellung des Verlusts ihrer Rechte gem. Art. 24 Abs. 8.
VAB C.1/A.16e/A.19a/D.13/C.11, S. 166-803
As a Swiss national, you may look for work in Germany for six months after entry. Your free movement right applies during this time even without proof of means of subsistence. You will receive a document under the EU/Switzerland agreement for six months.
Schweizer und ihre Familienangehörigen genießen ein befristetes Freizügigkeitsrecht zur Arbeitsuche. Die Dauer der Arbeitssuche nach der Einreise wie auch nach Beendigung eines Arbeitsverhältnisses von weniger als einem Jahr ist anders als bei Unionsbürgern auf 6 Monate begrenzt (Art. 2 Abs. 1).
VAB C.1/A.16e/A.19a/D.13/C.11, S. 166-803
The document under the EU/Switzerland agreement is not a residence title. It only has a declaratory character. Your right of residence therefore also exists without this document.
Das Dokument nach dem Abkommen EU/Schweiz ist kein Aufenthaltstitel im Sinne des § 4 Abs. 1 AufenthG. Durch dessen rein deklaratorischen Charakter ist der Besitz für einen rechtmäßigen Aufenthalt ohne Bedeutung.
VAB C.1/A.16e/A.19a/D.13/C.11, S. 166-803
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Residence Permit – Switzerland
After the appointment, it takes approximately 4 weeks until the Swiss residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.
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