Switzerland is a major global hub for financial services and banking. Additionally, specialist technical skills and engineering are consistently in demand. SAP skills are sought after in the IT sector. Highly qualified scientists and health professionals are also welcomed. If you are from outside of the EU you would need to offer skills not easily sourced in Switzerland or the EU, meaning you are unlikely to succeed without advanced qualifications and many years of experience in your profession.

Your qualifications will be recognised in Switzerland provided you are from the EU. If from outside the EU, you will have to have your qualifications formally approved and matched with Swiss equivalents. This will involve a fee and will be handled by a specific agency for your profession. There are a number of these, and to determine who to contact you would need to consult an information sheet issued by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (G: Bundesamt für Berufsbildung und Technologie BBT, F: Office fédéral de la formation professionnelle et de la technologie OFFT). The process can take up to a few months and applies only in the case of regulated professions, which include health care (including veterinarians), teaching, osteopathy, accountancy, and law. It may additionally involve providing proof of your language skills (i.e. ability to communicate in a Swiss language).

Note that you will need a professional teaching qualification to work in Swiss state schools, a language teaching qualification (e.g. CELTA) is not enough by itself.

Useful Resources

Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET)
http://www.bbt.admin.ch/themen/01105/index.html?lang=en
Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET, Effingerstrasse 27, CH 3003 Berne
Tel: +41 (0)31 322 21 29
Email: info@bbt.admin.ch

Information Sheet E1 Overview of authorities and institutions
Download free information on the different Swiss agencies dealing with recognition of professional qualifications
http://www.bbt.admin.ch/themen/01105/01106/index.html?lang=en

Anglo Swiss Medical Society
Information on how to register as a doctor in Switzerland
http://www.angloswissmedical.com/
Email: info@angloswissmedical.com

Swiss Bar Association
Information for lawyers in Switzerland
http://www.sav-fsa.ch/
Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband, Marktgasse 4, Postfach 8321, CH 3001 Bern
Tel: +41 (0)31 313 06 06
Email: info@sav-fsa.ch