I'm an electrician in the U.K looking to move over. I'd like to know if anyone has made the transition successfully, and/or has tips.
So far the agencies have been on a par with the U.K, mainly interested in lining their own pockets and dismissed most of my questions. Perhaps they don't really know much about the industry?
Any help would be gladly received!
Thanks!
You have French so I’d look to move to the Western part of Switzerland, i.e. Romandie area; Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchatel, Fribourg, Martigny, Sion and places inbetween. But you’re probably going to need to get your qualifications recognised by the relevant Swiss authority (no idea who that would be though), plus you’ll need to understand the Swiss rules and regulations for doing electrical work here.
I would look on these websites:
for electrician jobs and/or electrical companies. Again, starting up here as a self-employed is a bit awkward as you need a good business plan/financial funding, etc, to prove to the Swiss authorities that the company will be viable and you can support yourself before they’ll grant you a self-employed permit. So starting out initially working for someone else might be the better way to go.
Bear in mind that the Swiss have this year imposed quota limits on EU-17 nationals for getting a B permit so you might end up with an L, once you find an employer.
If working less than 90 days a year online registration is all that's required, if you still live elsewhere
No, they do fatmanfilms:
Persons coming from the EU/EFTA areas
How to set up a company in Switzerland as an entrepreneur from the EU/EFTA area? This page provides an overview of the most important legal requirements, background information and tips for foreign entrepreneurs from the EU/EFTA area.
Personal requirements
All citizens of EU/EFTA countries - presently still with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria - have the right to live and work freely in Switzerland. They can thus also become self-employed.
According to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, self-employed entrepreneurs can set up their business without a permanent residence permission (C permit). It is sufficient to have a B permit, which is valid for five years. At registration in Switzerland though, the planned self-employed activity needs to be proven. Proof can be provided for example with a valid VAT number, an entry into the professional register, the registration at the social insurance as self-employed entrepreneur, a business plan, accounting figures or the entry in the Commercial Register. For more information, contact the cantonal migration offices.
http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/00614…x.html?lang=en
I am an EU national and would like to become self-employed in Switzerland. How do I proceed?
Within 14 days of their arrival and before taking up any gainful employment, self-employed people need to register either with the communal authorities of the place they reside or with the cantonal labor and migration authorities and apply for a residence permit for self-employment. Also required are a valid ID or passport and documents proving that the requirements for self-employment are met (business plan, start-up capital, under certain conditions also listing with the register of commerce. etc.).
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/…10.html#a_0010
This is even more important because the quota limit on B permits also applies to self-employed people so if the quota for EU-17 is filled, he’d get an L and not be able to be self-employed.
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/…r_schweiz.html
There’s more on things like the commercial register here:
You would have get your qualifications to be recognised before you could be employed http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certifi..._capacit%C3%A9
(where's the 'thank you' button? I couldn't find it )
Medea Fleecestealer- I was looking at Romandie to start with, however someone I know mentioned that the German speaking side might be worth a look, despite the fact I know very little German. Can't see it working personally!
Sbrinz, those minimum wage figures are for Neuchâtel, is that roughly the same for the rest of Switzerland?
I didn't think they sounded that bad, £19/hr in U.K money(compared to about £12.50/hr working for a company in the U.K), but perhaps in relation to the cost of living it's not that good? I can only speculate...
The agencies I contacted didn't tell me what they pay, I guess/hope that it's slightly more?
I know that I'd have to get my qualifications translated, I found out how much it cost and wow! Where I am in France it's about 70 euros each, compared to at least 550 chf without all the rest of the notary certified stuff!
Have you done the C.F.C?
Well, you could try the German part, but everything is going to be in German so not only will you need to talk to your colleagues/clients in German, but instructions, regulations, etc, will be also so you need to be able to read it well too. Not to mention dealing with tax, insurances, etc, if you’re going to be self-employed.
If you already have a good command of French then I think starting in a French speaking area would be better. Then you can work on learning German with a view to maybe changing locations later on if you want.
The poverty level in Switzerland is Fr 2'500 for a single person and Fr 4'200 for a family. Those minimum pay figures are for Neuchâtel, but are normal: and Neuchâtel has the highest personal taxes in Switzerland!
You could begin in Fribourg, lower taxes and the canton is bi-lingual.
Sorry for resurrecting a forgotten post, but I'd like to know a bit more if possible!
Sbrinz, is your son re-training to become an engineer, or do Siemens employ electricians?
fatmanfilms, thanks for that bit of info! Sounds similar to the French stuff I've encountered!
Ace1, thanks for the comparison, judging by your estimation I'd be worse off!