How to Obtain a Swiss Retirement Visa

If you are a pensioner and want to relocate to another country, in Switzerland you can apply for a retirement visa. This is one of the several European countries in which people can access a special residence permit dedicated to senior citizens.

Below, our immigration lawyers present the requirements for obtaining a Swiss retirement visa. You can rely on us for support with the application procedure.

Different requirements for EU and non-EU citizens

Switzerland is not an EU member state, which means that filing for a retirement visa is possible for citizens of its countries, as well as for non-EU ones. However, there are different conditions to meet by each category of applicants.

In the case of EU citizens interested in immigration to Switzerland, the following conditions must be met:

• the applicant must have sufficient financial resources to support him/herself when he or she moves to Switzerland;
• the applicant is also required to have valid health and accident insurance;
• the applicant should also live in Switzerland for a large part of the year (more than 183 days).

Similar requirements apply to those interested in applying for a retirement visa for Switzerland and who come from non-EU countries. In addition to those, the following conditions must be met:

• the applicant must be at least 55 years of age;
• the candidate must have a personal tie to Switzerland.

Owning a property or having Swiss origins are among the links a person can use as proof to retire here.

Our immigration lawyer in Switzerland can advise on how to obtain such a visa.

Documents required to apply for a Swiss retirement visa

Here are the documents to gather when filing for a retirement visa for Switzerland:

• the standard visa application form;
• a valid passport;
• proof of self-sustenance (a bank account statement, for example);
• the health and insurance policies.

The application procedures are slightly different for EU and non-EU citizens, which is why we advise you to discuss them with our immigration law firm in Switzerland.

Authorities to file for a retirement visa for Switzerland with

The authorities dealing with the issuance of Swiss retirement visas is a sensitive matter, as different registration requirements apply to EU and non-EU citizens. Specifically:

• EU citizens do not need an entry visa and must register with the local municipality in the canton they will live in within 2 weeks from entering Switzerland;
• non-EU citizens must first check if they need a Swiss entry visa, then they must apply for a retirement visa with the cantonal immigration office, followed by registration with the municipality when they relocate to Switzerland.

We remind you that you can rely on our immigration services in Switzerland, as they are tailored to your needs.

Validity of the retirement visa in Switzerland

In the case of EU citizens, the retirement visa is, in fact, a Swiss residence permit enabling them to live here for 5 years. For non-EU citizens, it is issued as a temporary residence card with a validity of 12 months. In both cases, it can be renewed.

Swiss retirement visa holders are also eligible for permanent residency after 5 years in the case of EU citizens and 10 years in the case of non-EU ones.

The Swiss senior population

According to the latest statistics:

• based on the 2020 census, at the respective time there were 2.2 million people over the age of 60 living in Switzerland;
• in 2050, the number of senior people is expected to reach 3.1 million;
• by 2050, the senior population is predicted to represent 33% of the country’s total number of inhabitants.

If you want to apply for a Swiss retirement visa and need support, please contact our immigration specialists.