Family reunification for non-EU/EFTA family members
Spouses and unmarried children under 18 of Swiss nationals, settlement permit (C) holders and residence permit (B) holders can get a residence permit to live with them. Swiss nationals and C holders' families have a legal entitlement if conditions are met, while for B holders it is at the canton's discretion. Conditions include living together, suitable housing, no social assistance and basic skills in the local national language, and there are time limits for applying.
Life in Switzerland
Money
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
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Third-country spouses/registered partners and children under 18 of Swiss nationals or of foreign nationals holding a C or B permit in Switzerland.
Eligibility
Living together
The family members must live with the sponsor (FNIA Art. 42(1), 43(1)(a), 44(1)(a)).
Suitable housingFamily of C and B permit holders
Suitable accommodation must be available.
No social assistanceFamily of C and B permit holders
The family must not depend on social assistance, and the sponsor must not claim (or become entitled to) supplementary benefits because of the reunification.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLanguage
- Document checklistPassport
- FeesCantonal permit fee and national visa fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 1 fee
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Switzerland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Switzerland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for education or training
- Work permitsWork and residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals
- Permanent residenceSettlement permit (C permit) for non-EU/EFTA nationals
- CitizenshipOrdinary naturalisation
Family in other countries
- Côte d’IvoireResident card for a dependent spouse or child
- CameroonFamily accompaniment and family reunification
- CubaFamily visa (A-2) for relatives of Cuban citizens, and permanent residence application
- CyprusFamily reunification of family members of third-country nationals
- CzechiaLong-term residence permit for family reunification
- GermanyResidence permit for spouses and registered partners
