Switzerland Retains Skilled Worker Numbers For 2025

Switzerland has announced it will maintain its foreign skilled worker quota at 8,500 for 2025, matching the 2024 allocation. The Federal Council confirmed that 4,500 of these permits will be B residence permits, while 4,000 will be L short-term permits.

This quota ensures Swiss companies can address labor shortages while keeping immigration controlled. The Council emphasised that recruiting skilled workers from abroad remains a key strategy for supporting the economy, but the process is carefully regulated.

The Swiss government will also continue its special quota for UK workers, a policy introduced after Brexit categorized UK nationals as third-country citizens. For 2025, up to 3,500 UK nationals can work in Switzerland, 2,100 with B residence permits and 1,400 with L permits.

However, the Council aims to integrate the UK-specific quota into the general quota system in the medium term.

Despite the allocations, foreign worker quotas have not been fully utilised. In 2023, only 78% of the permits were used, and usage in 2024 stands at 63% so far. Factors include applicants failing to meet Switzerland’s strict entry requirements and priority being given to domestic and EU/EFTA workers.

Switzerland's foreign worker policy balances the needs of the economy with controlled immigration, ensuring companies can recruit talent while prioritising local and regional labor markets.

Most In-Demand Jobs for Foreigners in Switzerland

Switzerland is experiencing significant labor shortages, as highlighted in the 2023 EURES report on labor supply and demand.

The healthcare sector is the most affected industry, followed by engineering, IT, education, and justice. Foreign professionals in these fields or other shortage occupations have notably higher prospects of securing employment and obtaining a Swiss work visa.

According to the latest EURES findings, here are some of the professions currently in demand in Switzerland:

Healthcare

Nursing professionals
Generalist and specialist medical practitioners
Dentists
Physiotherapists
Health professionals (miscellaneous)

Information Technology

Applications programmers
Software developers
Systems analysts

Engineering

Environmental engineers
Engineering professionals (miscellaneous)

To work in Switzerland, non-EU nationals must obtain a visa to work in Switzerland. To qualify for a Swiss work visa, applicants must be skilled professionals with a university degree, substantial experience, and specialised expertise.

A job offer is required before applying, and the employer must demonstrate that no EU/EFTA citizen is available to fill the role.

Do you have plans to live and work in Switzerland? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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