Picture a couple from Toronto. One of them has accepted a job near Zurich. The other has a career, friends, a routine and a favorite coffee shop, all of which stay behind. The new job comes with a start date. The partner's new life comes with a lot of open questions.
This page explains what partner career support for expats in Switzerland usually means, what you can organize yourself before you leave, and when a specialist is worth involving. We are a matching service, not a provider: we do not run the steps ourselves. Depending on your request, we connect you with a relocation company that fits your situation.
What "partner and family support" covers
The label sounds like one service, but it is really a set of small ones. Most families need only some of them.
- Permit questions for the family. Who may come, and under which rules.
- Career orientation for the partner. Understanding the local job market, how Swiss CVs look, and which languages employers expect.
- Language and local networks. Courses, clubs, parent groups and expat circles.
- Practical settling in. Registering, health insurance, banking, school and daily life.
- Children. Finding a school or childcare that fits, which is covered in more detail on our school search page.
A good provider tells you clearly which of these it covers. A weak one promises everything in a single sentence.
Step 1: understand the permit side first
Everything else depends on the right to live in Switzerland. There are two main regimes: one for citizens of the EU and EFTA countries, and one for citizens of other countries, called third countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) confirms that both regimes exist.
If you come from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Canada, Australia, the Gulf, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan or Korea, the third-country rules apply to you in most cases. That means the process is more structured, and your partner's situation is linked to the main applicant's permit.
For a spouse and children, the rules in short, for third-country nationals:
- Spouse and unmarried children under 18 can be included in a family reunification request.
- The request must be made within 5 years. For children over 12, the window is 12 months.
- If the deadline is missed, major family reasons are needed.
- For holders of a B permit, the authorities have discretion: family reunification is not an automatic right. For spouses and children of Swiss citizens or C permit holders, it is a right.
The conditions on housing and income, and the rules for EU/EFTA families, vary and depend on the case. A specialist can check them against your situation. You can read the full explanation on our page about bringing your spouse and children to Switzerland, and see how permits work in our immigration support overview.
Step 2: what to prepare before you leave
Your partner's career can start in your living room, months before the move. Here is a checklist that works for most families.
- Update the CV and professional profile in English, and ask which other languages are useful in your future region
- Gather diplomas, certificates and reference letters, and ask which need translation
- Check whether the profession is regulated in Switzerland, with the help of the authorities or a specialist
- List the people you know in Switzerland and in your field
- Look for language courses you can start before arriving
- Decide as a couple what a good first year looks like: work, study, volunteering, a pause
Our relocation calendar and personal checklist builder help you turn this into dates.
Step 3: the first weeks after arrival
Two administrative steps matter for the whole family.
Register with the commune. You must announce your arrival to the local commune (Gemeinde in German) within 14 days. This can vary by commune and canton, so check the rule where you will live. You usually bring identity documents, your residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.
Take out basic health insurance. Everyone who lives in Switzerland must have basic health insurance within three months of taking up residence. If you meet that deadline, cover is backdated to your arrival date, and premiums are due from then. If you are late, cover starts at sign-up, there may be a premium surcharge, and the canton can assign an insurer to you. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) publishes the rules.
Do this for your partner and children too, not only for the person with the job.
Do it yourself, or ask for help?
Many couples manage a lot alone. Others save time and stress with a specialist. This table shows the typical difference.
| Question | On your own | With a matched provider |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding the permit route | You read official pages | A specialist explains your case |
| Career orientation | Self-led, through contacts | Guided, often with local networks |
| Local knowledge | Built slowly | Available from day one |
| Time and effort | Higher for you | Shared |
Neither route is better for everyone. A confident traveler with a flexible job may need only a good checklist. A family with children, a tight start date and a partner who wants to keep working may benefit from a specialist. Our page on how to choose a relocation agency lists useful questions to ask.
How the matching works
- You send a short request describing your move: who is coming, from where, and what matters most to the partner.
- We read your request and work out which type of help fits.
- We put you in touch with a relocation company that suits the need.
- You have a first conversation with them, and you decide whether to go on.
Nothing is decided for you. The company explains what it can and cannot do, and the authorities decide on permits. You can start from the request at the bottom of this page, or look at our wider relocation services.
Questions to ask any provider
- Which parts of partner support do you cover, and which do you not?
- Who will I speak to, and in which languages?
- What do you need from me before we start?
- How do you handle cases where the permit is still pending?
- What happens if my plans change?
- Can you explain the steps in writing?
If the answers are vague, that is useful information too.
Related services
Partner support often connects with other needs. Home search and temporary housing help while you look for a place to live. Settling-in help covers the first weeks. An orientation visit lets you see the region before committing. For the person who follows, our guide on settling in as the partner who follows offers a personal view.
Frequently asked questions
What is partner career support?
It is help for the partner of the person who takes a job abroad. It can cover career orientation, networking, language learning and practical questions, depending on the provider.
Can my partner work in Switzerland?
It depends on the permit, the nationality and the family situation. The authorities decide, and a specialist can explain the general rules and what applies to your case.
Is there a difference between EU/EFTA and third-country partners?
Yes. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) describes two regimes: one for EU/EFTA citizens and one for citizens of third countries. The conditions differ, so check which one applies to each of you.
Who counts as family for a third-country reunification request?
The spouse and unmarried children under 18. The cantonal leaflet and the SEM explain the details, and some conditions depend on the canton.
How long do we have to ask for family reunification?
For third-country nationals, 5 years to make the request, and 12 months for children over 12. A late request needs major family reasons.
Is family reunification a right?
It depends on who the main person is. For spouses and children of Swiss citizens or C permit holders, it is a right. For B permit holders, the authorities have discretion.
Do we need to register when we arrive?
Yes. You announce your arrival to the commune within 14 days, although this may vary by commune or canton. Bring identity documents, your permit and proof of health insurance.
When does health insurance have to start?
Basic health insurance is required within three months of taking up residence. If you meet that deadline, cover goes back to the date you arrived. Late sign-up can bring a surcharge.
Does my partner need their own health insurance?
Yes. Every person living in Switzerland needs basic cover, including children. Do not assume it is included with the main applicant's policy.
Can you guarantee my partner a job?
No. No honest provider can. Support can improve orientation and contacts, but employers make hiring decisions.
What does the service cost?
We do not quote prices. The company you are matched with explains its terms during the first conversation.