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Switzerland reveals number of non-EU work permits it will grant in 2020 (including for Brits)

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Switzerland reveals number of non-EU work permits it will grant in 2020 (including for Brits)

The Swiss government has announced the number of work permits it will issue for non-EU citizens in 2020 including the number it will grant to British workers in the case of a no-deal Brexit.

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“The Swiss economy must be able to continue to recruit the skilled workforce it needs in 2020”, the government said on Thursday. 

The government announced that it would issue 8,500 B (longer term) and L (short term)  work permits to non-EU or EFTA nationals — the same number as this year.

It added that as a priority Swiss companies recruit their workforce in Switzerland, but “they are sometimes forced to employ foreign workers”.

In case of a no-deal Brexit, the government said 3,500 British workers could be hired in 2020 — 2,100 would receive a B permit, which is valid for one year, and 1,400 would be granted an L permit, usually given for less than a year.

As part of the government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ agreement, these new rules will not apply to British nationals who had moved to Switzerland before Brexit. They will retain all their existing rights for residence and employment.

These quotas would also not be enforced if the UK leaves the bloc with the deal agreed between Boris John's government and Brussels.

In such a case, British nationals would be able to continue enjoying the same residence and employment rights in Switzerland as other EU citizens during the transition period which is due to end in December 2020, although may be extended for one or two years.

Britain is due to leave the EU on January 31st but everything could change if Johnson fails to win a majority government.

If he does win a big majority on December 12th and MPs give the green light to the Withdrawal Agreement then it's possible the UK could even leave the bloc on January 1st.

Earlier this month, Switzerland and the UK signed an agreement to protect existing social security rights between the two countries in the event of no-deal Brexit. 

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