Working

Residence and Work Permits [Aufenthalts- und Arbeitsbewilligung]

Employees and self-employed persons from EU/EFTA1 countries are allowed to enter, reside and work in Switzerland. This entitlement is anchored in the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the free movement of people. Those who are not in work or in self-employment (pensioners, students, others) are entitled to reside in Switzerland as long as they have health insurance and sufficient funds to support themselves.

The most important types of permit are outlined below: search portal [Stellenportal; German only] to identify current opportunities.

www.leben.sh.ch (Stellenportal)

Getting your qualifications recognised

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation is responsible for validating qualifications achieved abroad.

www.sbfi.admin.ch

Type of Permit Category EU/EFTA countries Other countries Residence [Aufenthalt] B x x Settlement [Niederlassung] C x x Residence & Work [Aufenthalt mit Erwerbstätigkeit] Ci x x Short-term residence [Kurzaufenthalt] L x x Cross-border worker [Grenzgänger] G x x

For more detailed information, contact the Immigration Department [das Migrationsamt] of the Canton of Schaffhausen.

Immigration Department [Migrationsamt] (Section: Residence [Aufenthalt]) www.sh.ch (go to Behörde/Verwaltung/Departement des Innern/Migrationsamt und Passbüro - German only)

Finding work

If you are interested in finding work in the Schaffhausen region, you can use an online

1 The members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Employment Law

Switzerland is known for having good employment terms and conditions. These vary depending on the role and sector, however. Make sure you understand the relevant terms and conditions at an early stage in your search for employment. The employment contract will detail the work to be carried out, hours of work, probationary period, notice period, holiday entitlement, pay and social insurance arrangements.

www.seco.admin.ch www.ch.ch/de/arbeitsrecht

Pay- and social insurance deductions

Salary levels are negotiated and agreed with an employer on an individual basis. Certain mandatory social insurance contributions are deducted from gross pay. These are: – Pension [Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung (AHV)], invalidity [Invalidenversicherung (IV)], fee in lieu of performing military service [Erwerbsersatz (EO)] – Unemployment insurance [Arbeitslosenversicherung (ALV)] – Occupational Pension [Pensionskasse (BVG)] – Accident Insurance [Unfallversicherung (UVG)] – Measures to help the unemployed to find and sustain employment [Sozialfonds]

For further information, contact your employer or the Department for Social Insurance [das Sozialversicherungsamt] at the Canton of Schaffhausen.

Sozialversicherungsamt, www.svash.ch For more detailed information and application forms, contact the cantonal Immigration Department [das kantonale Migrationsamt].

Immigration Department [Migrationsamt] (Section: Residence [Aufenthalt]) www.sh.ch (go to Verwaltung/Departement des Innern/ Migrationsamt - German only)

Voluntary Work [die Freiwilligenarbeit]

Benevol Schaffhausen is the specialist agency for voluntary work in the Schaffhausen area and first port of call for any questions relating to volunteering – for volunteers and organisations seeking volunteer help. Benevol’s principal responsibilities are brokering volunteering opportunities, marketing the service, providing training and professional project management.

www.benevol-sh.ch

Joining family already living in Switzerland

EU/EFTA nationals can normally be joined in Switzerland by members of their immediate family – a spouse, parents or children. The fundamental requirements are for sufficient funds to be available to support the family members and suitable accommodation. Residence permits for other nationals who are in employment are issued only in exceptional circumstances. Nationals of other countries may seek permission for family members to join them as long as the legal requirements are met.