Mostly, foreigner-oriented laws outline rights and obligations pertaining specifically to international residents – what they are entitled to (or not) while living in Switzerland.
While some concern only certain nationalities, others are more encompassing – that is, affecting all foreigners:
The Agreement on Free Movement on Persons (AFMP)
This legislation is an example of one that is geared to a selected group of foreigners, namely, citizens of the European Union.
In effect since 2002, the AFMP “lifts restrictions on EU citizens wishing to live or work in Switzerland”, according to the government. "The right of free movement is complemented by the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, by the right to buy property, and by the coordination of social insurance systems.”
This agreement has been the backbone of Switzerland’s immigration policy for over two decades (a similar pact exists between Bern and Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein – EFTA).
One of this law’s key provisions, for instance, is that nationals of these countries have the same rights, in terms of employment and access to the labour market, as Swiss citizens.
The Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA)
In effect in its present form since 2008, this law lays out the legal conditions for the admission, residence, and integration of immigrants in Switzerland.
The law defines the requirements for obtaining visas and residence permits, outlines the rights and obligations of foreign nationals working and living in Switzerland, and sets the rules under which foreigners may continue staying in the country.
Additionally, it defines the family reunification rules.
The FNIA is arguably the most far-reaching legislation of all, as it sets all the rules for work and residence permits.
The Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship
As its name suggests, this law, which entered into force in 2018, sets requirements for all matters relating to naturalisation.
Among them are ways of transmitting Swiss citizenship (by birth, or ancestry, for instance) and – even more relevant to immigrants – criteria for, and the process of, naturalisation.
READ ALSO: The different routes to obtaining a Swiss passport
The Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AEOI)
Despite its long name, the purpose of this legislation is quite simple.
Concretely, since it entered into force in 2018, its aim has been the flow of information between Switzerland and foreign authorities in an effort to reduce global tax evasion.
Basically, if you are a tax-compliant foreign resident, you have nothing to fear.
This law targets those who do not comply.
Lex Koller
This particular law places restrictions on (some) foreigners who want to buy a home in Switzerland.
As a general rule, an authorisation to purchase real estate is intended to prevent Swiss properties from falling into foreign hands.
However, not all foreign nationals are subject to this rule.
EU/EFTA citizens and C-permit holders are among those exempted from these rules, but third-country nationals may need permission to buy a home, which may or may not be granted, depending on whether the property is intended as a primary, secondary, or rental residence.
These are the main laws on a federal level that define the conditions for foreigners to come to, as well as live and work in, Switzerland.
And if you are wondering what (legal) leg you have to stand on while living in Switzerland, this article may help:
READ ALSO: Do foreigners in Switzerland have the same legal rights as the Swiss ?
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