Hello all,
Having trawled through a few threads on remote working, each offering some insight but not answering a question I had on remote working in Switzerland, so laying it out here.
My partner is exploring the option of moving to an employer based in Zurich, and I'm looking at my options. Our children would likely move there, and I am considering looking for opportunities to work there as well. However, in the meantime, I was considering flying into Zurich Friday - Monday regularly and working there remotely (Monday & Friday are our WFH days).
As I will be working from CH for less than 50% (less than 180 days) and as a Swiss national (i.e. don't need a permit), do I need to make any declarations to the Swiss authorities? I intend this to be short term but is there a time limit you do partial remote work? Anything else from others people's experience e.g. easier to quit and look for opportunities?
The other topic is schooling (under 5-year-old kids), but I will research that in more detail if things firm up...
Many thanks,
Stephan
Consequence would be that the center of your life would be Switzerland. Not sure what that means for tax and social security.
I’ve never been able to find any information on how long a Swiss citizen is allowed to stay in Switzerland as a tourist (without registering). Also no idea if a Swiss person can work here without registering. Seems an area with no info.
Yes, true, that would be the long-term intention. Just looking at how best to deal with the transition period jobwise.
As is normal in these cases you are looking at it from the employee’s point of view.
From an employer’s point of view issues such as social security payments and permanent establishment (I.e. an obligation to pay corporate taxes) could come into play. So you also need to have dialogue with your employer (or you could just wing it as I’m sure many do)
It’s not exactly the same scenario, but I remember that we had to get work permits for foreign based, non-CH citizen, senior managers who visit for more than 8 days a year, but it may give you an idea just how little time spent working here is necessary before the authorities take an interest.
Would there be any organization/specialist I could contact in terms of working remotely?
The likes of PwC and Deloitte do the assessments for us. They aren’t cheap though.
The simplest is to ask the relevant authorities. They do not charge money and you get a legally sound answer.
Relevant are the cantons social security office (SVA) and the cantons tax office.
Well, I guess as a first step, I just want to know if one would need to do anything before getting help on doing the process if needed. I came across this website
https://www.accurity.ch/2022/03/02/r…urity%20system .
This seems to provide some insights, but more so to full time remote working, so may try contacting them first. However, I didn’t see it mentioned in the forum.
Great thanks I’ll look into that!
Flying in and out each week sounds feasible and possibly a little glamorous but in reality it is exceptionally tiring especially with all the crap in airports these days.
I have done it, and mine was relatively easy Vevey-Paris but it really kills you in the end
And expensive often (doing the same for some years now, different direction though).
Yes I do hate the idea of traveling twice week but I guess the other options would be to not travel and remain in the UK till I found something workable, which isn't feasible with kids, or quitting and moving across, hoping to find a job in a short period of time.
I did this once at a shorter distance and I would never do it again - we don't have kids either, can't imagine what that would be like.
Could you leave your job and find a new one here? i.e. would your wife's work ensure you also receive a permit to work locally?
He ́s Swiss so that is easy.
Ah sorry I missed that, thanks!
You only pay taxes if you’re here more than 6 months in a year. So do not think you would need to do anything.
Best to check https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/li…sions/taxation