Switzerland lifts restrictions on free movement, employment and settlement for Bulgarians
17 May 2019 News
BERNE – As from June 1, 2019, citizens of Bulgaria and Romania will be granted full freedom of movement, employment and settlement in Switzerland.
Thus they will enjoy the same rights as all the remaining citizens of the European Union (with the exception of Croatia) and will be free to reside freely in that country, provided that they have a job.
This became possible after the federal government adopted on May 15 a decision to lift the quotas on residency permits for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals in the territory of the Swiss Confederation. This decision amends the rules on the application of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU. The protocol to the Agreement, which provides for a transition period of a maximum of 10 years for citizens of Bulgaria and Romania, became effective on June 1, 2009, and expires on May 31, 2019.
According to Swiss migration service statistical data, towards the end of 2018, the number of Bulgarians residing permanently in Switzerland stood at about 11,600.