Family reunification in Switzerland is the procedure by which the spouse and children of a permit holder obtain their own right to live in the country. For your employee, it is often the deciding factor in whether an assignment goes ahead. For your policy, it is a source of delay if it is planned late.
This page explains the logic of the rules, the difference between the two regimes and the order of the steps. It is general information. It does not assess an individual case.
The principle: two regimes, two sets of rules
Swiss law distinguishes two groups. Nationals of the EU and EFTA states fall under the free movement agreement with the EU (the ALCP). Nationals of all other countries are "third-country nationals" and fall under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (LEI). The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) describes these two regimes on its admission pages.
The distinction matters because the family follows the status of the permit holder. Your assignee's nationality, permit type and the date of arrival of the family decide which rules apply. Dependants of an EU/EFTA employee are not treated like dependants of a transferee from the United States or India.
For a first view of the permit itself, see Swiss work permits and how to get a Swiss work permit.
Who counts as family
For third-country nationals, the rule covers the spouse and the unmarried children under 18. Other relatives, such as parents or adult children, are not covered by this route. Partners who are not married require a separate assessment by the cantonal authority.
For EU/EFTA nationals, the free movement rules also cover family members, with their own conditions. The detailed conditions for this regime must be confirmed by a specialist for each case. Do not assume that the third-country rules mirror them.
Third-country assignees: rights, discretion and deadlines
For a third-country assignee, the strength of the family claim depends on the permit held. The LEI provides three situations:
- Swiss citizens and holders of a permit C (settlement permit): the spouse and children have a legal right to join (art. 42 and 43 LEI).
- Holders of a permit B (residence permit): the authority has discretion (art. 44 LEI). There is no automatic right. The cantonal office decides.
- Other permits: the position depends on the permit and the canton.
Most assignees arrive on a permit B. Your team should therefore treat family reunification as a request that the authority assesses, not as an entitlement.
The deadlines
The deadline is one of the most common traps. Under art. 47 LEI, the request must be filed within 5 years. For children over 12, the request must be filed within 12 months. A request filed after the deadline is possible only for major family reasons.
Your policy should record these two deadlines. Set an internal reminder from the date the permit is issued, not from the date the family decides to move.
Conditions the authority examines
Cantonal factsheets refer to conditions on accommodation and financial means. The exact thresholds and the way they are applied differ between cantons and are not set out here. Ask the competent cantonal office what it requires, or ask a specialist to examine the case.
The route step by step
The diagram below shows the usual order for a third-country assignee. It is a general outline. The canton of residence sets the practical detail.
Documents to prepare from abroad
The family often needs documents from several countries. Plan this early. The authority generally expects records of civil status, such as the marriage certificate and the birth certificates of the children. Foreign documents may need an official translation or a legalisation. The requirements depend on the issuing country and the canton, so ask the competent office what format it accepts.
A practical list for your relocation team:
- Confirm the nationality and the planned permit of the assignee
- Calendar the filing deadlines from the permit date
- Collect marriage and birth certificates
- Check whether translation or legalisation is required
- Find out which accommodation evidence the canton asks for
- Ask whether the family can enter before the decision
- Plan school places for the children
For help with timings, the relocation calendar and the personalised checklist generator are being prepared.
Entering Switzerland: do not move the family too early
A frequent mistake is to ship household goods and enrol children before the authority has decided. Your policy should state clearly that the family should not relocate until the position on entry is confirmed. Ask the cantonal office whether a visa is required for the nationality in question and whether the family may enter while the request is pending.
After arrival
Once the family is in Switzerland, two obligations apply quickly.
Registration with the commune
Residents must register with their commune of residence. The usual deadline is 14 days after arrival, although it can vary by commune or canton (see ch.ch). At the counter, the family is generally asked for an identity document, the residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.
Health insurance
Everyone who lives in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance no later than three months after taking up residence. If the deadline is met, cover is retroactive to the date of residence, and premiums are due retroactively. If it is missed, cover starts at affiliation, with a premium surcharge in the case of an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) publishes the rules.
Each family member needs their own cover, including the children. Include this in your arrival checklist.
Other questions your policy should cover
Family reunification touches several other areas. Employment rights of the spouse and the school age of children are set out on the page about permits for spouses and children. The first weeks after arrival are covered in onboarding assignee families and moving to Switzerland with children. For older children, see universities and higher education. Short assignments follow other rules, see permit L.
Employers who build a policy around these rules can also review relocation policy design and the choice between lump sum and managed relocation.
A specialist can examine the case of a given assignee and canton. You can ask for this through the request at the bottom of the page.
Frequently asked questions
What is family reunification in Switzerland?
It is the procedure by which the spouse and children of a permit holder obtain permission to live in Switzerland. The rules depend on the nationality and the permit of the person already in the country.
Who is covered for third-country nationals?
The spouse and unmarried children under 18. Other relatives are not covered by this route.
Is family reunification a right?
It depends on the permit. For Swiss citizens and holders of a permit C, the family has a right (art. 42 and 43 LEI). For holders of a permit B, the authority has discretion (art. 44 LEI).
Does a permit B holder have a legal claim?
Not as a general rule. The cantonal authority assesses the request. Your team should plan for that assessment.
What is the deadline to apply?
Under art. 47 LEI, the request must be filed within 5 years. For children over 12, the deadline is 12 months.
What happens if we miss the deadline?
A late request is possible only for major family reasons. The authority decides whether the reasons are sufficient.
Do EU/EFTA assignees follow the same rules?
No. They fall under the free movement agreement (ALCP), which has its own conditions. A specialist should confirm the details for each case.
Which authority decides?
The cantonal migration office handles the request. The State Secretariat for Migration sets the federal framework.
Can the family move with the assignee at the same time?
It depends on the nationality, the permit and the canton. Ask the competent office before booking travel or shipping goods.
Should we ship household goods before the decision?
We suggest that your policy waits until the position on entry is confirmed. The decision rests with the authority.
Are unmarried partners covered?
The third-country rule refers to the spouse. A partner who is not married needs a separate assessment by the cantonal authority.
Are adult children covered?
Not under the third-country rule, which covers unmarried children under 18.
Does the family need an accommodation proof?
Cantonal factsheets refer to conditions on accommodation and financial means. The exact requirements vary, so ask the cantonal office.
Do documents need translation?
Often yes, and sometimes legalisation. The requirement depends on the issuing country and the canton.
When must the family register with the commune?
Generally within 14 days of arrival, although this can vary by commune or canton.
What do they bring to the commune?
An identity document, the residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.
When must the family take out health insurance?
No later than three months after taking up residence. Each person needs their own cover.
Is the insurance retroactive?
If the three-month deadline is met, cover is retroactive to the date of residence and premiums are due from that date.
What if the family is late with insurance?
Cover starts at affiliation, with a possible premium surcharge for an unexcused delay. The cantonal authority may also assign an insurer.
Can the employer file the request?
The employee usually files, but employers often coordinate the process. The cantonal office tells you who must sign.
Can the spouse work after arrival?
That is a separate question, covered on the page about permits for spouses and children.