If you are a foreigner and want to become self-employed in Switzerland, there are a number of steps to follow and conditions to fulfil. <\/p>\n\n
Many administrative documents have to be provided, even after the initial registration. <\/p>\n\n
There are deadlines to be met, and there are subtleties depending on whether you are from a border country, an EU or EFTA<\/strong> member state<\/a> or neither.<\/p>\n\n This is where the simplicity of the wage portage<\/a> (portage salarial) system can be extremely effective and useful. <\/p>\n\n However, if you prefer the self-employed status, where you invoice your customers directly, we explain what you need to know in this article.<\/p>\n\n In this article, we’ll look at how to become self-employed as a foreigner in Switzerland. What are the steps involved in becoming self-employed in Switzerland (as defined by the OASI), where do you start and what are the differences? <\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udccc For details on the legal forms for setting up a business in Switzerland, visit this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Step 1 is to have your self-employed status recognised by the OASI (Old Age and Survivors‘<\/strong> Insurance) compensation fund. <\/p>\n\n It’s not that easy to obtain: you need to justify a solid client list, for example (at least 3 ongoing clients).<\/p>\n\n Une foi affili\u00e9, vous devez aussi vous affilier \u00e0 l\u2019DI (Disability Insurance) and pay a contribution to the loss of earnings compensation scheme (EO)<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udd17 For more details, visit the official website for the self-employed in Switzerland<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n They are all related to your turnover.<\/p>\n\n This same turnover will also determine whether you need to register with the Commercial Register. From CHF 100,000 upwards, this becomes compulsory.<\/p>\n\n Next, you need to apply for a Swiss work permit (also known as a residence permit) from the cantonal migration and employment authority in your canton<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n For example, for Geneva<\/a>, it happens here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n (Keep this organisation in mind: you will have several interactions with it if you wish to be self-employed in Switzerland or to set up a business in Switzerland for a foreigner).<\/p>\n\n If you are an EU\/EFTA national, a B permit is sufficient. It is valid for 5 years and renewable. <\/p>\n\n Good to know<\/strong>: foreign nationals working in Switzerland for less than 90 days a year do not need a work permit. It must only be announced via a compulsory online form<\/a>. Please note that you have up to 8 days before the start date of your business to submit this declaration.<\/p>\n\n Taxation will depend on the specific features of your canton, the nature of your business and the length of time you have been in business.<\/p>\n\n But as we know, the country has one of the lowest tax rates in Europe. And that’s why Switzerland is such a magnet for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udd17 Being self-employed in Switzerland also means having to insure yourself against accidents and unemployment. Click here to find out more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n In addition to proximity, countries bordering Switzerland, such as France, Germany, Austria and Italy, benefit from the advantages of EFTA. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n This means, for example, that a French self-employed person in Switzerland can benefit from the same rights as the Swiss when buying land. This is interesting because it concerns property used for commercial purposes.<\/p>\n\n He is also not obliged to sell his property if he leaves Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n However, if you want to be self-employed in Switzerland, you will first need to apply for a cross-border work permit (Permit G). <\/p>\n\n To get it, all you need to do is have a business address in Switzerland and submit your business plan. In other words, the viability of your project.<\/p>\n\n Finally, your business activity will determine whether you need a simple domiciliation or a fully-fledged business premises. <\/p>\n\n In all cases, you will be required to return home at least one evening a week.<\/p>\n\n Another important piece of information: as a self-employed person, you must have at least 3 ongoing clients<\/a> to be eligible for a work permit. <\/p>\n\n If you don’t meet a condition, you can turn to a wage portage (portage salarial) company, which relieves you of all these strict and complex administrative constraints.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n As we have just seen, setting up your own business in Switzerland and becoming self-employed is no easy task, even for cross-border workers.<\/p>\n\n Your main alternative will then be to opt for wage portage.<\/p>\n\n As you can read in our article on how wage portage works<\/a>, this service involves a tripartite relationship and two contracts: <\/p>\n\nBecoming self-employed in Switzerland (EU\/EFTA national): Sole proprietorship<\/h2>\n\n
Becoming self-employed in Switzerland as a cross-border worker<\/h2>\n\n
Going the wage portage route<\/h2>\n\n
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