Digital Nomad Visas and Remote Worker Residency in BernCentral political hub, cultural vibrancyAlpine lifestyle benefits

Residence and Citizenship in Bern

Why people seek residence and citizenship in Bern

Bern, the de facto capital of Switzerland, attracts global citizens seeking a residence permit in Switzerland thanks to its unique combination of political significance, cultural heritage, and Alpine-proximate lifestyle. As the seat of the Swiss Federal Assembly, Federal Council, and numerous federal agencies, Bern occupies a central role in national governance, offering residents unparalleled access to legislative processes, diplomatic networks, and international missions. The medieval Old Town—designated a UNESCO World Heritage site—features six kilometers of covered arcades, historic fountains, and landmark structures such as the Zytglogge clock tower and Münster cathedral, providing a picturesque yet functional urban fabric. Efficient public transport—including tram lines, S-Bahn, and PostBus services—connects Bern to major economic centers like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel within one to two hours, while proximity to Bern Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg further facilitates European travel. Organizations based in Bern span UNESCO, the Universal Postal Union, and international NGOs, expanding career and networking opportunities. With stable political climate, high GDP per capita, and renowned Swiss healthcare and education systems, Bern combines the advantages of a residence permit in Switzerland with authentic Swiss quality of life and direct EU-adjacent mobility for families, professionals, and investors.

Types of residence permits and citizenship pathways

Switzerland’s immigration framework provides several routes for those looking to establish residency and ultimately pursue citizenship by investment in Switzerland. Key permit categories include:

• B-Permit (Temporary Residence): Renewable annually for employees with Swiss work contracts, self-employed professionals registered with the canton, and individuals under Switzerland lump-sum taxation agreements. Requirements: valid employment contract or proof of sufficient funds, local accommodation in Bern, and Swiss-compliant health insurance.
• L-Permit (Short-Term Stay): Issued for contracts up to one year—often utilized by project-based staff, researchers, or cross-border commuters holding G-permits. Limited renewals aligned with contract duration.
• C-Permit (Permanent Residence): After ten years continuous legal residence (five years for EU/EFTA nationals), applicants demonstrating integration—A2-level German proficiency, clean criminal record, civic engagement—may apply for a C-permit. This status grants indefinite stay and full work rights, laying the foundation for permanent residence Switzerland goals.
• Lump-Sum Taxation Agreement: Canton Bern allows high-net-worth individuals to negotiate a flat annual tax based on living expenses rather than global income, requiring a minimum stay of 90 days per year and forgoing Swiss employment. This option simplifies tax compliance and enhances fiscal predictability for retirees and passive investors.
• Investor & Self-Employment Routes: Cantonal programs support residency for those making substantial capital or real estate investments—typically CHF 1 million or more—or launching businesses projected to create local jobs and value. Successful applicants receive B-permits pending government approval.
• Naturalization (Citizenship): After obtaining a C-permit and fulfilling federal residence requirements (ten years total, with three years in the last five spent in Switzerland), as well as meeting cantonal integration criteria—language proficiency (B1), knowledge of Swiss civics, and community involvement—residents may apply for Swiss citizenship. The process includes municipal, cantonal, and federal reviews, culminating in the award of a Swiss passport.

Requirements and application process

Securing a residence permit in Bern begins with preparing and submitting documentation to the Cantonal Migration Office (Migrationsamt Bern) and registering with the local Einwohnerkontrolle within 14 days of arrival. Common requirements for a B-permit include:

• Valid passport and Swiss entry visa (if required for non-Schengen nationals).
• Signed Swiss employment contract detailing position, salary, and duration, or bank statements demonstrating sufficient personal funds for self-employment or lump-sum taxation candidates.
• Proof of accommodation—rental contract or property deed—within the Canton of Bern.
• Swiss-compliant health insurance valid from residency start date, meeting KVG/HVG minimum coverage.
• Apostilled criminal record certificate from the country of origin, translated into German or English by a certified translator.
• Completed cantonal application forms, biometric photographs, and payment of processing fees.

Processing times for B-permits generally range from four to eight weeks. Renewal applications require updated proof of continued employment, financial stability, or lump-sum tax payments submitted at least three months before permit expiration. Candidates for C-permits must file integration evidence—language certificates, employer references, utility bills—six months prior to eligibility and attend intercantonal interviews. Naturalization applicants undertake additional municipal and cantonal examinations on Swiss civics and submit community participation attestations, concluding with federal approval published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce.

Legal framework and government policies

Residence and citizenship programs in Bern operate under a combination of federal and cantonal legislation. The Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) establishes permit categories, quotas, and integration mandates nationwide, while the Ordinance on Admission, Residence and Employment (VZAE) details procedural rules. Switzerland’s Federal Act on Direct Federal Taxation provides the framework for lump-sum taxation agreements, granting cantons sovereignty to negotiate terms, set minimum taxable bases, and determine rates. Canton Bern’s tax laws and migration regulations—codified by the Grand Council of Bern—specify local quotas, investor incentives, and language requirements for naturalization. Oversight is provided by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which manages federal quotas and cross-cantonal coordination, and by Migrationsamt Bern and municipal authorities, which handle application intake, integration assessments, and residence card issuance. Switzerland’s membership in the Schengen Area enables permit holders to travel visa-free across 26 European countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, facilitating business trips, family visits, and leisure travel.

Lifestyle, infrastructure, and long-term benefits

Choosing Bern for residency unlocks a balanced Swiss lifestyle supported by robust infrastructure and long-term advantages. Key highlights include:

• Quality of Life & Environment: Bern consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities, combining clean air, low crime rates, and abundant green spaces—such as the Gurten hill, Rosengarten, and banks of the Aare River—for hiking, cycling, and river swimming.
• Healthcare & Education: Residents access Bethesda Hospital, Inselspital Bern (University Hospital), and private clinics, while public schools offer multilingual instruction and international schools—such as the International School of Bern—serve expatriate families. The University of Bern and Bern University of Applied Sciences attract academic professionals and facilitate research collaborations.
• Cultural & Recreational: Bern’s Old Town theaters, Zytglogge performances, Buskers Bern street arts festival, and Bern Jazz Festival provide year-round cultural engagement. Sports amenities include SC Bern hockey games, Bundeshaus tours, and proximity to ski resorts in the Bernese Oberland within one hour’s drive.
• Transport & Connectivity: Bern’s tram and bus networks, along with the S-Bahn, connect all city districts and regional hubs. Swiss Federal Railways link Bern to Zurich (1 hr), Geneva (2 hr 30 min), Basel (1 hr), and beyond. Bern Airport offers regional flights, while EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg and Zurich Airport cater to global destinations.
• Economic Stability & Tax: As Switzerland’s federal seat, Bern benefits from a diversified economy—public administration, technology, manufacturing, and services—coupled with a favorable tax environment. Lump-sum taxation provides high-net-worth individuals with predictable liabilities, and corporate incentives support entrepreneurs and investors.

After ten years of continuous legal residence (five years for certain EU/EFTA nationals), holders may apply for permanent residence Switzerland (C-permit), eliminating renewal requirements and establishing long-term community ties. Swiss citizenship by naturalization, while selective, rewards successful integration and grants a second passport in Switzerland, unlocking full European mobility, voting rights in federal referenda, and consular protection abroad.

How VelesClub International helps

VelesClub International delivers end-to-end, bespoke services for clients pursuing residence and citizenship in Bern:

• Strategic Eligibility Assessment: Personalized analysis of employment contracts, investment capacity, and family objectives to recommend optimal permit categories—B, L, C, lump-sum taxation, or investor routes.
• Application & Document Coordination: Management of employment letters, financial statements, criminal record clearances, health insurance proofs, and certified translations; digital submission via SEM and Migrationsamt Bern portals.
• Tax Negotiation & Advisory: Liaison with Bern cantonal tax authorities to structure lump-sum taxation agreements, ensuring favorable fixed annual liabilities and compliance with local regulations.
• Integration & Relocation Support: Assistance with municipal registration, housing sourcing in Bern’s prime districts, language-course enrollment (German), school placements, and community networking.
• Renewals & Naturalization Guidance: Proactive tracking of permit expiries, preparation of renewal dossiers, and step-by-step support through municipal, cantonal, and federal naturalization processes—paving the way to Swiss citizenship and a second passport in Switzerland.
• Ongoing Compliance & Advisory: Continuous monitoring of immigration policy, tax laws, and healthcare updates—delivering personalized guidance to ensure uninterrupted residency and optimized fiscal planning.