Applying for a residence permit without gainful activity
2. EU/EFTA permit without activity
For whom
If you are an EU/EFTA national and wish to live in Switzerland for a long time without gainful employment, you have a right of residence if you and your family members have:
- sufficient financial resources* to avoid the need for social assistance during your stay
- health and accident insurance covering all risks
Terms
* Your financial resources can come from:
- an annuity
- a personal fortune
- an activity carried out by telework on behalf of an employer abroad which has no impact and no link with the Swiss labor market
- a person (domiciled in Switzerland) who acts as a financial guarantor
In principle, the financial means are deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount which would entitle a Swiss national, and possibly his family members, to receive assistance following the request of the person concerned and taking into account their personal situation. For those entitled to a pension, the financial means shall be deemed sufficient if the exceed the amount entitling a Swiss national who so requests, and possibly their familly members, to supplementary benefits due to old-age, survivors and invalidity insurance.
Non-active persons may benefit from family reunification under the above conditions.
You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.
Attachments
- form M - only for postal mail requests
- colour copy of a valid I.D.
- copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established with form AL (with copy of the main lease and I.D. of the landlords and the sub-tenant)
- evidence of sufficient financial resources
- form O - in case of care by a third person residing in Switzerland
If you wish to settle with your family, add:
- form M for each family member involved - only for postal mail requests
- copy of the marriage certificate for spouses (with official translation if necessary)
- copy of the birth certificate for children (with official translation if necessary)
- proof of parental authority or EM form if the children come with only one parent
Price
For online applications, payment is made online as well.
For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.
Processing times
Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch
Help to fill in the online form
See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch
Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.