Work permits for postings and cross-border services of more than 90 days

On 25 June 2024, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) again expanded EasyGov.swiss, the online desk for companies. EasyGov will become a UID service for foreign companies as part of the ‘Integration of reports and permits to pursue employment under the law on foreign nationals’ programme. Furthermore, it is now possible to apply on the portal for permits for postings of more than 90 days for employees from companies based abroad and for self-employed service providers from abroad, in the canton of Zurich.

As part of the ‘Integration of reports and permits to pursue employment under the law on foreign nationals’ programme, it is now possible to apply for permits for postings and crossborder services on EasyGov. This service is aimed at companies registered abroad. These companies must be able to apply for a company identification number (UID); this can now be applied for directly on EasyGov. EasyGov thus now acts as a UID centre for foreign companies and can issue UIDs in the same way as commercial register offices or compensation offices, for example. For this purpose, a new process was defined in collaboration with the Federal Statistical Office (FSO): a UID is only issued to foreign companies if their company data can be validated by the FSO. Foreign companies are only permitted to use government services on EasyGov once they have been identified in this way.

The canton of Zurich sets a good example

In the current expansion stage of EasyGov, applications can now be made for postings and cross-border service provision of more than 90 days by EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals. This category includes employees of foreign companies or self-employed service providers from abroad who wish to carry out a contract in Switzerland. This part of the integration process is being implemented as a pilot project with the canton of Zurich. Further pilot cantons (Aargau, Basel-Stadt and St Gallen) will follow.

Gradual expansion of reports and permits relating to the law on foreign nationals

Employers who intend to employ or deploy foreign workers in Switzerland are required to obtain a permit or to notify the authorities. EasyGov supports companies in this process and can be used to submit documents directly to the authorities responsible. This is a further step by SECO to promote the integration of government services in this area on EasyGov.

The processing of cross-border commuter permits for EU/EFTA nationals (G permit) in the Canton of Aargau is now also available on EasyGov.

Thanks to the latest update, the following reporting and permit application processes can now be carried out on EasyGov:

• Report employment of temporarily admitted persons (F permit) and recognised refugees (B permit) in all 26 cantons.
• Cross-border commuter permits for EU/EFTA nationals (G permit) in pilot cantons Aargau, Basel-Stadt, Thurgau and Zurich. St Gallen will join the programme in  summer 2024.
• Work permits for employment with Swiss employers for third-country nationals in the cantons of Thurgau and Zurich (L, G or B permit).
• Applications for postings and cross-border provision of services for more than 90 days by EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals in the canton of Zurich.

In the coming years, further expansion stages are planned for various categories of reports and authorisations, for example for the EU/EFTA online notification procedure ≤ 90 days (currently in the relaisation phase). Ultimately, the aim is to offer the aforementioned authorisation processes in as many cantons as possible.

Services available on EasyGov.swiss Version 1.12:

EasyGov.swiss – The online counter for companies

Contact/Enquiries:

Fabian Maienfisch, Deputy Head of Communications and Media Spokesperson
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Tel. +41 58 462 40 20, fabian.maienfisch@seco.admin.ch