SwitzerlandResidence

Switzerland retirement visa

Residence permit for retirees (Art. 28 FNIA)

In short

Retired people from outside the EU/EFTA can be admitted under Article 28 of the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act if they have reached the minimum age set by the Federal Council (55), have special personal ties to Switzerland and have the necessary financial means. The canton decides, and gainful work is not allowed.

checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Fee
The national visa fee is set by the Swiss representation where you apply; cantonal permit fees in Switzerland are separate.
Work
No gainful employment.
Where to apply
The Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence; decision by the canton where you want to live.

Conditions

The ordinance sets the minimum age at 55. Special personal ties to Switzerland exist in particular if you can prove longer earlier stays, such as holidays, education or work, or close relationships with near relatives living there: parents, children, grandchildren or siblings. You may not carry out any gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad, except managing your own assets.

How much money is enough

The necessary financial means exist when they exceed the amount that would entitle a Swiss citizen, and any family members, to supplementary benefits to old-age and disability pensions (Ergänzungsleistungen). No fixed franc amount is published at federal level; the canton applies this benchmark together with mandatory health and accident insurance.

Cantonal decision

The application goes through the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence to the migration authority of the canton where you want to live, which applies the federal conditions and its own practice.

  1. Download the checklist for "national visa for persons without gainful employment" of the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence and prepare originals and copies, translated into a Swiss national language where required.
  2. Book an appointment with that representation as it instructs and hand in the complete file in person.
  3. The representation forwards the file to the cantonal migration authority; processing takes at least 8–12 weeks.
  4. Once the canton has approved and sent the "Authorization for Visa Issue", the representation issues the D visa.
  5. Register with the residence authority of your commune within 14 days of entry and collect the residence permit card.

Processing and fees

National visa files go to the competent cantonal authority in Switzerland, and the representation can only issue the visa after that authority approves. The total processing time is about 8–12 weeks and varies considerably by canton; questions while the file is pending go to the cantonal migration authority for the future place of residence.

The national visa fee is set and collected by the Swiss representation where you apply. Cantonal permit fees in Switzerland are separate.

After arrival

Register with the residence authority of your place of residence within 14 days of entering Switzerland; employees may only start work after registering. The canton then issues the residence permit card.

No work

The permit is for people without gainful activity; working in Switzerland requires a separate work permit under the quota rules.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • National visa (D) application forms, completed in German, French, Italian or English and signed, in the number the representation asks for
  • Identical recent passport photos (ICAO)
  • Passport issued within 10 years, two empty pages, valid three months after leaving Schengen, plus copies

Money

  • Proof of sufficient financial means (pensions, assets)

Family

  • Proof of special personal ties to Switzerland

Insurance

  • Health and accident insurance

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age?

55, as set by the Federal Council.

Is a fixed income amount set?

No franc amount is published; your means must exceed the level at which a Swiss citizen would be entitled to supplementary benefits.

Do I need ties to Switzerland?

Yes, special personal ties are a legal condition.

Which ties to Switzerland count?

Longer earlier stays such as holidays, education or work, or close relationships with parents, children, grandchildren or siblings living in Switzerland.

Can I keep working online for a company abroad?

No. Gainful activity is not allowed in Switzerland or abroad; only managing your own assets is permitted.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Switzerland

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

Study and training

  • Student visa Processing time: At least 8–12 weeks, because the cantonal migration office must approve.
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months

Work

Family

Residence

Protection

Switzerland visa guide