If you live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate, you already know what it is like to start a new life far from home. Switzerland will feel different in many small ways. Rules are set by the federal government, by 26 cantons and by your municipality, and each one has a role. The good news is that the path is orderly. This page walks you through it step by step, so you can prepare from where you are today.
Start with one question: which passport do you hold?
Living in the UAE does not decide your status in Switzerland. Your nationality does. Many people in the Gulf are expats with a British, American, Indian, Canadian, Australian or European passport, and Switzerland looks only at the passport, not at the country you are leaving.
Swiss law has two regimes, according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM):
- EU/EFTA nationals come under the free movement agreement with the EU.
- Third-country nationals (everyone else) come under the national rules for non-EU/EFTA states.
The detailed conditions, such as qualifications and the priority given to the local labor market, depend on your case. A specialist can look at your situation through the request at the bottom of the page. You can also try the permit finder to see which route usually applies.
What this means for a Gulf expat with a non-EU passport
Most readers of this page fall into the second group. For a job-based move, the employer usually applies first, and the canton and the federal authorities then decide. Your Swiss employer carries much of this process, so a signed contract or a clear job offer comes before almost everything else. If you have one already, read what to do with a Swiss job offer.
Quotas: why timing matters
Third-country workers are subject to annual quotas. The Federal Council communiqué sets the 2026 limits at 8,500 skilled workers and specialists, split into 4,500 B permits and 4,000 L permits. Service providers from the EU/EFTA have their own allocation of 3,500 (3,000 L and 500 B), and the United Kingdom has 3,500 (2,100 B and 1,400 L). These numbers are unchanged from 2025 and took effect on 1 January 2026. The cantons then share out their part.
What does this mean for you? A permit is not an automatic right even when a company wants to hire you. The authorities decide, and the quota may matter. The numbers for 2027 will be announced in November 2026, so check again before you plan a date. Ask your employer or a specialist how the quota affects your permit type.
What changes after Gulf life
Many families describe the move as a change in the "rhythm" of life. Here is what usually feels different, area by area.
Health insurance
In Switzerland, health insurance is something you arrange yourself. Basic insurance is compulsory for people who live there, and you choose an insurer and a model. After you register with your municipality, a legal deadline set by the canton applies. Use the time before the move to collect your medical records and any proof of previous cover. You can ask about the deductible and the model once you know your canton.
Income tax
Many people in the Gulf are used to a payslip with no personal income tax, and the first Swiss payslip can be a surprise. Foreigners without a C permit (settlement permit) are usually taxed at source: the employer deducts the tax and pays it to the canton every month. According to the Federal Tax Administration (ESTV), with a B or L permit and income below CHF 120,000, tax at source is in principle final, and an ordinary assessment can be requested later. From CHF 120,000 an ordinary assessment is compulsory (ESTV).
Your tax situation also depends on your home country, for example if you are a US citizen. This page gives the general rule only. A specialist can look at your case.
Housing
You will probably search for a home before or soon after arrival, and the market can be tight in the main cities. Rentals are usually unfurnished, which is a change if you are used to furnished flats. Landlords and agencies ask for a file with documents, and they like to see a Swiss work contract. Check the rental file tool to see whether your documents are complete. The cantons guide helps you compare regions before you choose one.
Schools
Children who live in Switzerland go to school in their commune. Public schools teach in the local language. International and private schools exist in the larger cities and are an option many expat families look at first. The school choice tool helps you think about the right type for your child. Ask early about places, because they can be limited.
Daily language and culture
English is widely understood in business and in big cities, but the official language depends on the canton: German, French or Italian. Learning a little of the local language helps with neighbors, school and shops. Swiss life values punctuality, quiet hours and recycling rules, and your landlord will explain the house rules.
The order of steps, from Gulf to Switzerland
A realistic order often looks like this:
- Confirm your permit route. Know whether you are in the EU/EFTA or third-country group.
- Prepare your documents. Passports, marriage and birth certificates, diplomas and work references. Ask which ones need an official translation or an apostille.
- Plan housing. Decide on the region, then start the search.
- Plan the family. Ask the authorities about family members, and ask the school about the start date.
- Arrive and register. Register with the municipality, then follow the instructions of the cantonal office.
- Settle in. Insurance, bank, tax at source and everyday life.
Use the relocation calendar to put these steps on a timeline that fits your date.
A short checklist for the Gulf end
- Check your passport validity and that of every family member
- Collect civil documents (marriage and birth certificates) and ask whether they need legalization
- Gather diplomas and work references
- Ask your landlord in the Gulf about the notice period of your lease
- Request school records for your children
- Ask your doctor for medical and vaccination records
- Plan how you will ship or sell furniture and your car
- Cancel or transfer local subscriptions, bank services and utilities in time
Example: a family of four from Dubai
This is a made-up example. A couple with two school-age children lives in Dubai, and one of them has a job offer from a company in Zurich. They hold passports from outside the EU. They first check which permit route applies, then ask the employer how the permit procedure works. While they wait, they look at the cantons, compare school types and prepare a rental file. After arrival they register with the municipality, choose health insurance for each family member and register the children in school. The order matters more than speed, and each step has a clear owner.
Where to go from here
Other pages cover neighboring departure countries if you want to compare: Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong. When you are ready, tell us about your move and a specialist can review your case.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move to Switzerland from the UAE without a job?
It depends on your nationality and your situation. For third-country nationals, a job offer is the most common route, and other routes exist in specific cases. A permit is decided by the authorities, never by the site. A specialist can look at your case.
Does living in Dubai count in my favor for a Swiss permit?
No. Switzerland looks at your passport, your job and your reason for moving, not at your current country of residence. Living in the UAE does not give you a special status.
Which permit types exist for newcomers?
The most common are the B permit (residence) and the L permit (short-term residence). Which one you receive depends on your contract and the canton. The settlement permit, called C, comes later and has its own conditions.
Are there quotas for people from the Gulf?
If you hold a non-EU/EFTA passport, quotas apply to many work permits. For 2026, the Federal Council set 8,500 permits for skilled workers and specialists from third countries, with 4,500 B and 4,000 L. The cantons distribute their share, so your canton matters. The 2027 numbers are expected in November 2026.
Will I pay income tax in Switzerland?
Yes. Residents are taxed. If you do not hold a C permit, tax is usually deducted at source from your salary. With a B or L permit and income below CHF 120,000, this is in principle final, while from CHF 120,000 an ordinary assessment is compulsory (ESTV). The amount depends on your canton, so ask a specialist about your case.
Do I need Swiss health insurance?
Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for residents, and you choose the insurer and the model yourself. Your employer does not arrange it automatically. Ask about the deductible and the model once you know where you will live.
Can I rent a home before I arrive?
Sometimes, but it is hard. Many landlords want to meet you or see a Swiss work contract. Some people use temporary housing first and look for a long-term home after arrival. Prepare your rental file in advance.
Will my family come with me?
Family members can often join, but the rules depend on your permit and your nationality. Ask about this at the very start, because it affects the plan for school and housing.
Is English enough in Switzerland?
For work in international companies and in larger cities, often yes. For daily life with the authorities, schools and neighbors, the local language helps a lot. The language depends on the canton.
Can I keep my UAE bank account?
Many people keep a home account for a while, but you will need a Swiss account for rent, insurance and salary. Banks have their own rules for newcomers, and they may ask for your permit and address.
Can I drive with my UAE license?
Rules about foreign licenses depend on your license and your nationality, and a deadline applies after you arrive. Ask the cantonal road office before you plan to drive, and do not assume your license transfers directly.
Do my children need to speak German, French or Italian?
Public schools teach in the local language, and schools usually support new students who do not speak it yet. International schools teach in English in some cities. Ask each school how it welcomes newcomers.
What should I do first?
Confirm your permit route, then gather your documents. After that, start the housing and school questions. The relocation calendar helps you place each step in time.
Do I need a lawyer or a relocation specialist?
Not always, but the process has many parts and each canton works differently. A specialist can review your case, explain the order of the steps and point you to the right authority. The request at the bottom of the page puts you in contact with the right company for your needs.