Permit B vs Permit L: which Swiss visa is right for you?
Two Swiss residence permits for EU/EFTA nationals: the short-term L permit (usually under a year), and the longer renewable B permit for ongoing employment or residence.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | B EU/EFTA Permit (Resident Foreign National) (Permit B) | L EU/EFTA Permit (Short-Term Residence) (Permit L) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Who it's for | EU/EFTA nationals with a permanent or 12-month-plus Swiss employment contract. | EU/EFTA nationals with a Swiss employment contract of three months to under one year. |
| Government cost | ~CHF 65-150 cantonal issuance fee | ~CHF 65-150 cantonal issuance fee |
| Processing time | ~2-4 weeks | ~1-3 weeks |
| Length of stay | 5 years, renewable | Duration of the contract (under 1 year), renewable |
| Where to apply | Register at the commune of residence in Switzerland | Register at the commune of residence in Switzerland |
| Work rights | Full labour-market access | Work for the declared employer/activity |
| Pathway to PR | C settlement permit after 5 years of continuous residence for most EU/EFTA nationals. | Converting to a B permit and accumulating residence builds toward a C settlement permit. |
Which is right for you?
B EU/EFTA Permit (Resident Foreign National) (Permit B)
EU/EFTA nationals with a permanent or 12-month-plus Swiss employment contract.
Full Permit B guide →L EU/EFTA Permit (Short-Term Residence) (Permit L)
EU/EFTA nationals with a Swiss employment contract of three months to under one year.
Full Permit L guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Permit B or Permit L?
On indicative 2025-26 government costs, B EU/EFTA Permit (Resident Foreign National) (Permit B) is the lowest at ~CHF 65-150 cantonal issuance fee. Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, Permit B or Permit L?
Indicatively L EU/EFTA Permit (Short-Term Residence) (Permit L) is the quickest at ~1-3 weeks. Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
What's the main difference between Permit B and Permit L?
B EU/EFTA Permit (Resident Foreign National) (Permit B) is for eU/EFTA nationals with a permanent or 12-month-plus Swiss employment contract. L EU/EFTA Permit (Short-Term Residence) (Permit L) is for eU/EFTA nationals with a Swiss employment contract of three months to under one year.