Residence Permit – Switzerland
As a Swiss national or family member, you have a right of free movement in Germany.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit as a Swiss national?
You are a Swiss national or a family member of a Swiss national. Then you have a right of free movement under the Agreement between the EU and Switzerland of 21 June 1999.
You must register your stay with the foreigners authority in person within 3 months of your entry. The authority then reviews your right of free movement. If you meet the requirements, you will receive a Swiss residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis-Schweiz).
You prove your right of free movement depending on your activity: as an employee with an employment contract, as a self-employed person with a business registration, as a freelancer with a tax number, as a student with an enrolment, or as a non-economically active person with proof of financial means and health insurance.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are a Swiss national or a family member of a Swiss national (at least one family member must hold Swiss nationality)
Additional requirements
- You must have your main residence in Berlin and appear in person with an appointment. Book the appointment via the contact form of department E 6.
How to apply
Book an appointment via the contact form of department E 6 (within 3 months of your entry)
Complete the application form for a residence title
Gather all documents: passport or identity card, passport photo, registration certificate and proof of your right of free movement
Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents
Done! The authority will review your right of free movement and issue you the Swiss residence permit.
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
Swiss nationals from age 24
- Swiss nationals up to age 2422,80 EUR
- Third-country family members (adults)100,00 EUR
- Third-country family members (minors)50,00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at self-service terminal6,00 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.