EU/EFTA citizens can freely enter Switzerland and look for work without a visa. They can stay for three months (sometimes extended to six months) while looking for work. If they find a job that means they will stay in Switzerland for longer than three months, they must get a Swiss residence permit.

Holding an Italian residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) does not automatically grant you the right to work in Switzerland. Because Switzerland is not in the EU (though it is in the Schengen Area), your Italian permit only allows you to visit as a tourist for up to 90 days. To work, you must obtain a specific Swiss work permit. If you live in Italy near the border (e.g., Lombardy or Piedmont) and have lived there for at least six months, you may apply for a G Permit (Frontier Worker), which allows you to commute to a Swiss job while living in Italy. If you are a non-EU citizen with an Italian permit, the process is even stricter, as Swiss employers must prove they couldn't find a local or EU candidate first. In 2026, new tax protocols between Italy and Switzerland have clarified rules for cross-border commuters, but the legal requirement for a Swiss-issued permit remains a mandatory hurdle before you can legally begin any gainful employment.