Over the past few years, the term "digital nomad" has increasingly appeared in the public eye. With a laptop and an internet connection, many people are able to escape the confines of the office and live and work freely around the globe. And as the legalization and recognition of remote work increases in various countries, some high-benefit, high-quality-of-life SwissimmigrantsThe State is also beginning to open its doors to such freelancers and remote workers.SwitzerlandThis European country, originally known for its "high threshold and high consumption", is also quietly becoming a new focus of attention for digital travelers.

So here's the question:Can remote workers apply or notResidence in Switzerland? What are some realistic and feasible ways to do this? What preparation is required? What are the hidden thresholds? This article will give you a full breakdown of the possibilities and strategies for this emerging channel.

I. Does Switzerland currently have a "digital nomad visa"?

Frankly.Switzerland has not yet created a specific type of visa for digital nomads, unlike countries like Portugal, Croatia, Estonia, etc. that have a clear Digital Nomad Visa policy.

This does not mean, however, that "remote workers" cannot move to Switzerland. In fact, in the context of Switzerland's current residence policy.There are three pathways that are particularly realistic for digital nomads to follow::

II. The three routes of residence in Switzerland for digital nomads

1. "Lump Sum Taxation" residence permit

Suitable for: non-EU citizens with stable remote income or assets

This is a very special form of residence in Switzerland, in which the applicant does not need to work in Switzerland, but only needs to pay a negotiated fixed amount of tax each year (usually based on living expenses or an estimate of assets) in order to obtain a residence permit.

• dominance: No employment requirements, no local business requirements, no industry restrictions

• limitation: usually applies to high net worth individuals with a minimum annual tax liability of 70,000 Swiss francs or more

• Applicable area: e.g. Ticino, Valais, Fribourg, etc.

For remote high-income earners or freelancers who can provide a steady source of income or proof of assets, this is a realistic and viable path.

2. Self-Employment Visa (SELF-EMPLOYMENT VISA)

For: freelancers, remote entrepreneurs, online service providers

Switzerland allows foreigners to set up a company in Switzerland and apply for a residence permit as a legal entity. If you are working remotely with a continuous income, it is perfectly possible to apply by registering a company.

• Company form: GmbH (limited liability company) or Sole Proprietorship (sole proprietorship)

• Application Requirements::

  • business plan

  • Beneficial to the local economy (e.g., driving consumption or tax payments)

  • Proof of residence

• vantage: Legal entrepreneurial status, residence with family members, reasonable taxes

For example, a freelance writer, programmer, or designer who can prove that he or she has a stable client base and a consistent income can be approved even if none of the clients are in Switzerland.

3. Remote relocation of EU citizens (EU pathway)

While this doesn't apply to Chinese readers, it's worth mentioning:If you hold an EU citizenship or residence permitIf you are looking for a legal address in Switzerland, state your source of income (e.g. remote work), you can basically apply for free movement without employer sponsorship.

Therefore, many people will first apply for long-term residence through Portugal, France or Spain, and then enter Switzerland as an EU resident.

C. What materials and qualifications do you need to prepare?

If you are planning to move to Switzerland as a digital nomad, here is a list of common documents:

1. valid passport

2. Proof of stable income(Bank flows, contracts, tax returns)

   • It is recommended that the monthly income should not be less than 3,000 Swiss francsIdeal for 5,000+

3. business plan(e.g., self-employment path)

4. Residential address contract(Proof of rental)

   

5. Proof of purchase of medical insurance(mandatory in Switzerland)

6. Certificate of no criminal record

In particular, it is important to note that policies vary slightly from one canton to another, so it is advisable to contact the immigration office of the target canton in advance to confirm the details or to ask a specialized lawyer to assist in the preparation of the documents.

IV. Real-life case references: how did the migration of digital nomads to Switzerland materialize?

Case 1: Li, 37, remote software developer

• Monthly income: approximately Euro7,500

• Nationality: Chinese

• Strategy: Successfully obtain a residence permit by setting up a sole proprietorship in Ticino and paying a fixed tax.

• Status: Have been living in Lugano for two years, renting a lakeside apartment, cost of living averages about 3,500 Swiss francs per month.

  

Case 2: Alice, 29, content creator

• Clients are mainly in the US and Singapore, earning around $6,000 per month

• Registered Swiss GmbH, mainly for collections and declarations

• Applied for residence in the French-speaking part of Switzerland as a "self-employed immigrant" and is currently living in Lausanne with his family.

V. Money-saving advice: do this, easily spend less 20% budget

• ✅ Choose a small city over a big city.: Zurich and Geneva have extremely high costs of living, while e.g. Lucerne, Bern and Lausanne are relatively friendly.

• ✅ Choose a combination of online office + Swiss tax status: Income is earned abroad but tax returns are filed in Switzerland, which facilitates legal tax savings.

• ✅ Shared Transitional Expenses: Just landed the option of sharing a room with other digital nomads to save on rent expenses.

VI. In conclusion: digital nomads are not just romantic, they are a realistic possibility for a new world

Switzerland is not a "digital nomad's paradise" in the traditional sense, but it offers a moreRobust, long-term, and qualitativeof the digital nomad life possible. If you have the freedom to work remotely, you may want to seriously considerImmigration to SwitzerlandThe

You don't have to earn millions of dollars a year or have local Swiss clients, as long as you have a plan, preparation and confidence, you have the opportunity to start a whole new life at the foot of the Alps.