Extend a residence permit or a stay from inside Switzerland
The cantonal migration authority handles extensions. A temporary residence permit can be extended if there are no grounds for withdrawal. A person whose stay purpose changes after entry must register at least 14 days before the permit-free stay ends. People on a visa register 14 days before it ends if they cannot leave on time or want another purpose.
Moving to Switzerland
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Swiss Franc
CHF
Swiss Franc
Cost of living
128
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
0.77–11.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 8.1%
Federal direct tax only: rises in steps (marginal rate peaks at 13.2%) to a flat 11.5% on very high incomes (about CHF 794,000+ for single people, before inflation indexing); cantonal and communal taxes come on top and are usually much larger.
Living
1
Happiness
#10 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in Switzerland with a permit or a permit-free short stay.
Extending a permit
Sign in to check this route against your profileArticle 33(3) AIG, in the SEM directive: a temporary residence permit can be extended if no grounds for withdrawal under Article 62(1) AIG exist. Any non-extension must be proportionate.
Stay purpose changes after entryShort stays
Sign in to check this route against your profileRegister no later than 14 days before your permit-free stay ends.
- Applies to short stays
- Applies when the purpose of your stay changes after entry
Official wording
SEM directive: register no later than 14 days before the permit-free stay ends.
VisaShort stays
Sign in to check this route against your profileRegister 14 days before your visa ends if you cannot leave in time or want another purpose.
- Applies to short stays with a visa
Official wording
SEM directive: register 14 days before the visa ends if you cannot leave in time or want another purpose.
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