Insufficient British workers are securing work permits in Switzerland: Why the low numbers?
After Brexit, the UK shifted from being part of the EU, leaving British citizens without the unrestricted access to the Swiss labor market they previously had. Instead, the Swiss government reserved 3,500 permits (out of 12,000 allotted for third countries) specifically for Brits, including 2,100 B and 1,400 L permits.
Despite this allocation, only about 18% of these permits have been claimed, according to SEM, which is lower than the usage rate for other non-EU/EFTA nationals combined. Curious about the lack of demand, The Local reached out to Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for an explanation.
Nicolas Cerclé, from SEM, explained that it's difficult to pinpoint an exact reason due to a lack of studies on Swiss companies. However, he suggested several possibilities. First, the needs of the Swiss labor market might not align with the skills British workers offer, as Switzerland tends to prioritize highly qualified workers in sectors such as IT, engineering, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Second, after Brexit, Swiss companies may have shifted their focus towards the EU labor market, making recruitment there easier. Moreover, English language skills are essential in Switzerland, and British workers might not be as attractive due to the abundance of Irish and Scandinavian workers with strong English proficiency. Lastly, sectors like finance, insurance, media, and creative professions, which are plentiful in the UK, have less need for third-country workers in Switzerland, as companies can also recruit from the EU.
In addition to these factors, it's worth noting that Switzerland and the UK have reached an agreement on "mobility for service providers" (SMA). This means that UK service providers can work in Switzerland for up to 90 days without falling under the quota system, provided they comply with the agreed conditions. However, this online declaration procedure does not include all UK nationals working in Switzerland, and not all of them are accounted for in the work permit statistics.
There are cases where work permit applications from Britons are simply denied. For instance, between 2021 and 2024, the canton of Geneva considered 609 applications from Brits, granting 544 and rejecting 65 – a rejection rate of approximately 10%. The reasons for rejection often involve individuals not fulfilling the criteria of contributing sufficiently to Switzerland's economic interest or failing to adhere to the principle of priority for the Swiss and EU/EFTA labor markets.
Finally, it's essential to note that the quota set aside specifically for Britons since 2021 will eventually be absorbed into the general third-country pot, although the date for this change has not yet been decided. To obtain more precise information on the number of work permits issued to UK nationals in Switzerland since 2021 or official statistics on this matter, it's advisable to consult official Swiss government sources.
- The Swiss government has reserved 3,500 work permits specifically for British citizens, with 2,100 B and 1,400 L permits being allotted.
- According to SEM, only about 18% of these permits have been claimed, making it lower than the usage rate for other non-EU/EFTA nationals combined.
- Swiss companies may have shifted their focus towards the EU labor market after Brexit, making recruitment there easier, which could be a reason for the lower demand from British workers.
- In sectors like finance, insurance, media, and creative professions, which are plentiful in the UK, Swiss companies can also recruit from the EU, leading to less need for third-country workers such as British citizens.
