Apologies if this has been covered before, but I could not find posts matching my situation.
I am an EU-national currently being unemployed in Germany and I am in discussions with a company in Zürich about a job there. The company has explained that it is not sure how long the project that I would be working on would last. They estimate it might be 6-9 months but it may last much longer. I am pushing for a permanent contract, so I can get a B-permit, with understanding I will be let go if they do not need me for the project anymore.
I have worked in Germany 15.6-23 - 31.3-24 (and before that in Switzerland) and I have been receiving unemployment in Germany since April -24.
My question is about qualifying for Swiss unemployment benefits in case the contract is terminated within the first 12 months.
Will my German employment be counted towards the required 12 months of employment within the last 24 months, if I have been receiving unemployment benefits in between?
I will take to the job in any case if I get it, but I would like to understand where I stand for personal planning.
Als Grundsatz gilt: Wer Taggelder beziehen will, muss in den letzten zwei Jahren vor der Anmeldung beim regionalen Arbeitsvermittlungszentrum (RAV) (Rahmenfrist für die Beitragszeit) während mindestens zwölf Monaten angestellt gewesen sein.
That is why I am pushing the contract to be a permanent one.
Assuming I do get a permanent contract starting 1.4 and a B-permit, but I am let go after 6 months, would I be eligible for Swiss unemployment benefits with my employment history? I would meet the requirement of minimum 12 months of employment in the last 24 months.
My understanding is that in Switzerland if one has been received the full period of unemployment benefits, one has to work again minimum 12 months to requalify. But I did not see requirement mentioned if one has worked in an EU-country and has been unemployed there.
It looks like you’re overthinking it. If you know that it’s a short term contract nonetheless, account for that, no matter what’s the contract form and the permit. I’d keep the current place of life in your place, but just get the short term opportunity to earn a few euros in Switzerland in the mean time. If something long term appears on the horizon, and you’d like it and prefer to stay in Switzerland, then you’ll finally move. If it doesn’t make (financial) sense to maintain two places of living, let it go.