The Brexit Impact
Why as things currently stand we won't be able to consider British citizens for Swiss based jobs from Jan 2021
This situation could change, but here is the situation as it stands (4th Dec 2020).
For the approx. 1,000 British people this reaches, if you are not already in Switzerland, it is unlikely that we will be able to consider your candidacy for 95% of positions going forward.
As of 1st January 2021, British people wanting to work in Switzerland, will no longer enjoy the same rights as they do now. Essentially, the employer will have to prove that there is no one in Switzerland or the EU first, as well as certain other criteria. Here is the official government website link detailing the situation for Non-EU citizens. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/arbeit/nicht-eu_efta-angehoerige.html
It is likely that a position will have to be vacant for approx. 3-6 months before a company can apply for such a permit. The approval process takes 6 – 8 weeks and is not guaranteed. You cannot start working before the full approvals come through.
What is currently unclear is how this will affect the many British people currently based in Switzerland at the end of their current work permits. With B and C permits, there will be no change, you will be allowed to find a new job here. For those on L permits. Should your permit lapse, it’s unclear whether you would be able to apply for new positions here without going through the approval process for Non-EU citizens. We are trying to get clarity on this situation.
There are exceptions and every case is different, but this is the general overview as things stand.