Family reunification Switzerland: spouse and children

Moving to Switzerland is one thing. Moving there with your husband, wife, partner or children is a project of its own. Family reunification (in German Familiennachzug, in French regroupement familial) is the legal route that lets close family members join a person who already holds a Swiss residence permit. This page explains how it works, in plain language and in the order things tend to happen.

One thing first: it is the Swiss authorities that decide on every permit. A page like this can explain the rules and the sequence, but it cannot promise an outcome, and it cannot examine your personal situation. For that, the request at the bottom of the page puts you in touch with a relocation company that looks at your case.

Two regimes, and why your passport matters

Switzerland has two separate sets of rules for people who move in. One covers nationals of EU and EFTA countries and follows the agreement on free movement of persons with the EU (the ALCP). The other covers nationals of so-called third states, meaning every country outside the EU and EFTA (the SEM page on non-EU/EFTA admission describes this split).

For most readers of this site, from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Canada, Australia, the Gulf, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan or Korea, the third-state regime is the one that applies. That is the regime described in most detail below. If you or your spouse hold an EU or EFTA passport, the conditions differ, and the cantonal migration office confirms which ones apply to you.

If you are not sure which regime applies, the permit finder is a quick way to see the likely route before you read on.

Family reunification, from preparation to arrival

Who counts as family

Under the rules for third-state nationals, family reunification covers a spouse and the unmarried children under 18. That is the core group. Other relatives, such as parents or adult children, are not part of the standard route and are looked at differently by the authorities.

A few points are worth keeping in mind:

The "children" in question are your own children under 18 who are unmarried.
Whether a partner who is not married to you qualifies depends on the rules of the canton and the type of permit. The migration office can tell you.
Each family member has their own file, so papers are prepared per person.

Right or discretion: it depends on the permit

This is the part that surprises many families. Whether the authorities have to approve the request, or may choose to, depends on the permit of the person already in Switzerland.

Situation of the person in Switzerland	What the law says
Swiss citizen (spouse and children)	A right to reunification (arts. 42-43 LEI)
C permit holder (spouse and children)	A right to reunification (arts. 42-43 LEI)
B permit holder	Discretion of the authority, no automatic right (art. 44 LEI)

In plain terms: if the person in Switzerland holds a C permit, the family has a right. If they hold a B permit, which is the usual starting point for a newcomer on a work contract, the authorities weigh the request and are not obliged to grant it. This is why the permit held by the first person to arrive is the first thing to look at.

For short-stay situations, see the pages on the L permit and on short assignments, since the options for bringing family differ there too. Newcomers who work for themselves can start with the page on being self-employed.

The deadlines that matter

For third-state nationals, there are two time limits, and they are worth putting in your calendar early:

Five years. The request to bring the spouse and children is made within five years.
Twelve months for older children. For children over 12, the window is shorter: twelve months.

A request made after the deadline is not automatically rejected, but it requires major family reasons. Those are assessed one case at a time, and it is not a route to count on. The simplest approach is to start early, ideally at the same time as the first move.

The source for these deadlines is art. 47 LEI, as summarized in a cantonal leaflet. Counting rules, such as when the clock starts, are explained by the cantonal office.

What to prepare from abroad

Much of the work can be done before anyone boards a plane. Typical documents for a family file include:

Passports for every family member.
Marriage certificate and birth certificates, often needed in a certified or legalized form with a translation, depending on the country they come from.
Proof of the family link for each child, especially where parents have different surnames.
School reports for children, which also help later with school choice.
Proof of the housing arrangement in Switzerland and of means to support the family.

The conditions on housing and financial means differ by canton and are not set out here; the cantonal migration office states exactly what it expects. Because certificates from India, the Gulf, China or Japan can take time to obtain and certify, starting that part early often saves the most stress. A moving calendar helps place each step.

An example, to make it concrete

Example: a couple from Toronto, with a teenage son and a younger daughter. One parent has a B permit through a job in Zurich. The other parent and the children stay in Canada while the file is prepared. Because the son is over 12, the family notes that his window is shorter and files for the whole family together rather than one person at a time. This is a fictional illustration, not a real case, and every family's file is different.

Moving in: the first days after arrival

Once the permit for a family member is approved and they have arrived, the everyday administration begins.

Registering with the commune

Registration with the commune (Gemeinde, commune) is due within 14 days of arrival. In practice, you bring an identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. The deadline can vary by commune or canton, so confirm it locally. The page on registering with your commune walks through the visit.

Health insurance for the whole family

Basic health insurance is compulsory for every person who lives in Switzerland, children included, and has to be taken out within three months of taking up residence. When that deadline is met, cover is retroactive to the date residence began, and the premiums are then due retroactively too. If the deadline is missed, cover starts only at enrolment, a surcharge may apply for an unexcused delay, and the canton can assign an insurer.

Schools and daily life

Children of school age are enrolled with the local school authority. For what to expect, read the page on public schools for international children and the broader guide to moving with children. Partners who join without a job can find ideas in settling in as the partner who follows and on the page about support for your partner and family.

Common pitfalls

Waiting too long. Deadlines run from fixed dates, and the shorter window for older children passes quickly.
Assuming a B permit gives a right. It gives the authority discretion, which is a different thing.
Late or incomplete certificates. Foreign civil-status documents are the most common cause of delay.
Moving before the permit is approved. Entry for residence follows approval; a family member should not plan to settle first and sort it out afterwards.
Forgetting insurance. The three-month period is short once daily life starts.

A simple checklist

Find out which regime applies: EU/EFTA or third state
Check which permit the first person holds
Note the deadline for each child, especially children over 12
Order civil-status certificates and translations
Gather proof of housing and means
Prepare for registration with the commune
Line up basic health insurance for each family member

You can build a longer, personal version with the checklist tool. If the main permit holder may later settle for the long term, the pages on permit renewal and on Swiss citizenship look at the road ahead.

Where a relocation company helps

The authorities handle the decision. A relocation company, found through the request at the bottom of the page, can help with the practical parts: which papers, in what order, how to plan the move for the whole family. Our role is to connect you with the company that fits the need; we do not file anything ourselves. For wider context, see relocation services and immigration support, or a typical relocation timeline.

Frequently asked questions

What is family reunification in Switzerland?

It is the legal route for a spouse and children to join a person who holds a Swiss residence permit. The conditions depend on the permit and on the nationality of the family.

Who can come under family reunification?

For third-state nationals, the spouse and the unmarried children under 18. Other relatives follow different rules decided by the authorities.

Do EU and EFTA citizens follow the same rules?

No. There are two regimes: the free-movement route for EU/EFTA nationals and a separate one for third states. The conditions differ, so the cantonal office confirms what applies.

Which regime applies to someone from the US, UK or India?

These countries are outside the EU and EFTA, so the third-state rules are the starting point. Dual nationals can ask the migration office how a second passport affects things.

Does a B permit give a right to bring family?

No. For B permit holders the authority has discretion (art. 44 LEI). There is no automatic right, so each request is weighed.

Does a C permit give a right?

Yes. The spouse and children of C permit holders have a right (arts. 42-43 LEI). The same is true for the spouse and children of Swiss citizens.

What is the deadline to apply?

For third-state nationals, five years to request reunification. For children over 12, the window is twelve months (art. 47 LEI).

What happens if the deadline is missed?

A late request needs major family reasons. The authority assesses these one case at a time, so it is not a safe fallback.

Which child counts as over 12?

The shorter window applies to children over 12. Because the cantonal office explains how it counts, ask it when the clock starts for a child close to that age.

Can children over 18 join?

Under the standard route, the children are unmarried and under 18. A young adult has a separate situation, and the migration office or a specialist can look at it.

Can unmarried partners come?

It depends on the canton and the permit. Marriage is the clearest basis; for other partnerships, the cantonal migration office states what it accepts.

Can parents join their adult child in Switzerland?

Parents are not part of the standard reunification route. Other types of permit may exist, and each is assessed on its own terms.

Can the family arrive together with the first person?

Often the first person moves and the family follows once the permit is approved. Some families file together and plan the arrival in one step. The timing depends on the canton.

Can the family enter before the permit is approved?

Settling should wait for the approval. Short visits are a separate matter, and the migration office explains what is allowed.

Where is the request filed?

With the cantonal migration office of the place where the family will live. The SEM publishes the national framework, and the canton handles the file.

What documents are usually needed?

Passports, marriage and birth certificates, proof of housing and of means, and a translation or certification where required. The canton gives the exact list.

Do documents from abroad need to be certified?

Often yes, in a form that depends on the issuing country. This is why it helps to start early, particularly for documents from Asia and the Gulf.

Are housing and income conditions part of the check?

Cantonal authorities typically look at living arrangements and means. The exact conditions vary, and the migration office states them for your canton.

Is there a fixed processing time?

No time can be stated here. It depends on the canton and on how complete the file is.

When does the family register with the commune?

Within 14 days of arrival, in general, with identity documents, the permit and proof of health insurance. The deadline can vary by commune.

Is health insurance compulsory for children?

Yes. Everyone who lives in Switzerland takes out basic health insurance, children included, within three months of taking up residence.

What if insurance is taken out late?

Cover then starts at enrolment, a surcharge may apply for an unexcused delay, and the canton can assign an insurer.

Can my spouse work in Switzerland?

That depends on the permit and the regime, and the migration office confirms it. The page on settling in as the partner who follows covers daily life and work questions.

Can we move to another canton later?

Yes, but it has its own steps. See the page on changing canton, which looks at what changes once you are already here.

Does a relocation company decide on the permit?

No. The authorities decide. A company can only help you prepare the file and plan the move.

Bringing your spouse and children to Switzerland