In which sectors is the labour shortage most acute in Switzerland?
The Federal Statistical Office (Bundesamt für Statistik / BFS) and SECO (Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft – State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) regularly publish vacancy statistics. Based on 2024–2025 data, the shortage is most severe in the following sectors:
Healthcare and social services
The nursing profession (diplomierte Pflegefachperson / infirmière diplômée) is classified as a chronically understaffed field. Swiss hospitals and home-care organisations actively recruit from abroad, particularly from Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. In-demand positions include:
Registered nurse (with HF / FH-level training)
Physician, especially general practitioner (Allgemeinmedizin) and psychiatrist
Pharmacist (Apotheker/in)
Physiotherapist, occupational therapist
Important: healthcare qualifications are subject to a professional recognition procedure in Switzerland (see the documents section).
Information technology and digital technology
Demand for software engineers (Softwareentwickler/in), data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and cloud architects remains consistently high — particularly in Zürich, where Google, UBS, and numerous fintech companies are based. For many of these roles, English proficiency is sufficient, though German (Zürich, Bern) or French (Genève, Lausanne) is an asset for local integration.
Engineering fields
Mechanical engineer (Maschinenbauingenieur/in)
Electrical engineer (Elektroingenieur/in)
Structural and civil engineer
Environmental engineer
Switzerland's precision industries — watchmaking, medical devices, and automation — are in continuous need of experienced engineers.
Construction and skilled trades
Carpenters (Zimmermann/Zimmerin), electricians (Elektriker/in), plumbers (Sanitärinstallateur/in), and painters (Maler/in) — the shortage in these trades is particularly pronounced in the Italian- and French-speaking cantons. For physically demanding roles, a recognised vocational qualification and the relevant language skills are generally sufficient.
Finance and Legal Sector
Zürich and Geneva are among the world's leading financial centres. In-demand profiles include: wealth manager (Vermögensberater/in), compliance specialist, auditor (Wirtschaftsprüfer/in), and tax advisor. These positions typically require Swiss or internationally recognised qualifications (e.g. CFA, ACCA).
What types of work permits exist, and which one applies to you?
As a Hungarian citizen, you fall under the FZA (Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons). This means no work visa is required, and you are not subject to the quota system — unlike third-country nationals (e.g. Ukrainian, Serbian, or Chinese citizens).
Permit type | Name | Purpose | Condition |
|---|
L permit | Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung L | Short-term residence, max. 364 days | Fixed-term employment contract, < 1 year |
B permit | Aufenthaltsbewilligung B | Longer-term residence, generally for 5 years | Employment or self-employment |
C permit | Niederlassungsbewilligung C | Permanent residence permit | 5 years of continuous residence in Switzerland (for EU citizens) |
G permit | Grenzgängerbewilligung G | Cross-border commuting | Working in Switzerland but living in the EU |
Practical rule of thumb: if you wish to settle and work in Switzerland, the first step will be the B permit. This is arranged jointly by your employer and you at the cantonal immigration authority (Migrationsamt / Office cantonal de la population).
Step by step: from job search to permit
Step 1 – Job listings and making contact
The main Swiss job search platforms:
"jobs.ch – the most comprehensive Swiss platform
jobup.ch – primarily French-speaking Switzerland
LinkedIn – especially IT and finance sectors
Indeed.ch
Jobscout24.ch
It is also worth monitoring company career pages directly (e.g. Roche, Nestlé, ABB, UBS, Novartis). Swiss employers value a cover letter — it is not optional, but expected.
Step 2 – CV in Swiss format
The Swiss CV (Lebenslauf) differs from the Hungarian one: it is typically sent without a photo (though this is not prohibited), kept concise (max. 2 pages), and includes the contact details of references. In some cantons and sectors, the Europass format is also accepted.
Step 3 – Offer and employment contract
If you receive an offer, request the employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag / contrat de travail) in writing before signing. Check: salary, working hours, probationary period (Probezeit, typically 1–3 months), notice period, and whether the 5th pillar (supplementary pension) applies to you.
Step 4 – Registration in the canton
Within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland, you must register with the cantonal residents' registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle / contrôle des habitants). You will need:
Valid passport or national identity card
Employment contract
Rental agreement (or document confirming your accommodation)
Completed registration form (format varies by canton)
Step 5 – Applying for a B permit
Alongside or following registration, the cantonal Migrationsamt will issue the B permit. For EU citizens, this is typically automatic when an employment relationship exists. The permit fee varies by canton, but is generally between CHF 60–100.
Step 6 – Health insurance (Krankenversicherung / KVG)
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory and privately provided. You must take out a policy with a Swiss insurer (e.g. CSS, Helsana, Swica, Sanitas) within 90 days of arrival. Premiums vary considerably by canton and age — use the calculator at priminfo.admin.ch to get an overview.
What documents and certificates need to be checked?
General documents
Valid passport or national identity card
Hungarian civil registry documents (birth certificate, possibly marriage certificate) – these must be submitted with a certified translation if requested by the authority
Academic and professional diplomas
Regulated professions: mandatory recognition procedure
Certain professions in Switzerland are regulated (reglementierte Berufe), meaning that a foreign diploma alone is not sufficient — a formal recognition procedure is required.
Healthcare professions are handled by the Federal Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit / BAG) and the cantonal health authorities. Recognition of a medical degree is processed through the Swiss Medical Association (FMH).
Other regulated professions (e.g. lawyer, auditor, pharmacist) fall under the coordination of SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation – State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation), which manages the recognition procedure. The full list of regulated professions is available on the SBFI website (sbfi.admin.ch).
For non-regulated professions (e.g. engineer, IT specialist, economist), no mandatory recognition procedure exists, but an employer may request a certified translation or an Europass supplement.
Proof of language proficiency
In Switzerland, employers generally expect a level of proficiency matching the local working language:
German: at least B2 level (Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, ÖSD)
French: at least B2 (DELF, TCF)
Italian: at least B1–B2 (CELI, CILS)
In the IT sector, English (C1 level) is sufficient for many positions, but the local language is essential for everyday life and long-term integration.
How much can you earn in in-demand professions?
The following gross annual salaries are indicative, based on data from the Federal Statistical Office (BFS) and Lohnrechner.ch. The actual salary depends on the canton, experience, company size, and sector.
Profession | Gross annual salary (CHF) | Approximate HUF equivalent* |
|---|
Software engineer (5+ years of experience) | 110,000 – 150,000 | ~44–60 million HUF |
Registered nurse (degree-level) | 70,000 – 90,000 | ~28–36 million HUF |
Mechanical engineer | 90,000 – 120,000 | ~36–48 million HUF |
General practitioner | 150,000 – 220,000 | ~60–88 million HUF |
Auditor | 100,000 – 140,000 | ~CHF 40–56 million HUF equivalent |
Electrician (qualified) | 65,000 – 85,000 | ~CHF 26–34 million HUF equivalent |
Approximate values calculated at 1 CHF ≈ 400 HUF. The exchange rate changes daily.
Important: From your gross salary, employee contributions are deducted for AHV/AVS (old-age and disability insurance), ALV (unemployment insurance), and the second pillar (berufliche Vorsorge / BVG). Together, these typically amount to 12–14% of gross salary. In addition, withholding tax (Quellensteuer) may apply to your income if you do not hold a C permit — the rate varies by canton.
What training and further education opportunities are available?
Switzerland is known for its vocational education system (Berufsbildung): dual-track training (Lehre / apprentissage) and higher vocational education (Höhere Fachschule / HF) are considered equivalent to a college degree in many sectors.
If you want to develop your skills in Switzerland:
Cantonal adult education centres (Volkshochschule / université populaire): language and professional courses, typically CHF 200–800 per semester
SBFI-accredited continuing education programmes: professional certificates (Fachausweis / brevet fédéral) and diplomas (eidgenössisches Diplom)
Online platforms: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning — Swiss employers generally accept these as supplementary qualifications
Employment office (RAV / ORP): if you are registered as unemployed in Switzerland, you can access free retraining programmes
What are the most common pitfalls, and how can you avoid them?
Delaying the recognition of your diploma and qualifications: For regulated professions, the recognition process can take months. Don't wait until you have a job offer — start the process in advance, in parallel with your job search.
Late registration for health insurance: If you miss the 90-day deadline, the canton will assign you an insurer and you will have to pay premiums retroactively. This is more expensive and creates an administrative burden.
Overlooking withholding tax (Quellensteuer): If you don't have a C permit, your employer will automatically deduct withholding tax. This is not the same as your final tax liability — in certain cases it is worth submitting a subsequent ordinary tax assessment (nachträgliche ordentliche Veranlagung / NOV), especially if your income is higher.
Lack of knowledge of Swiss employment law: Swiss employment law is flexible, but it also protects employees. Collective labour agreements (Gesamtarbeitsvertrag / GAV) vary by sector and may stipulate minimum wages in certain industries. Check whether a valid GAV applies in your sector.
Underestimating the housing situation: The Swiss housing market is tight and expensive. In Zürich, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is typically CHF 1,800–2,500 per month. Plan your housing before your job search, not after.
Failing to suspend Hungarian social security coverage: If you move to Switzerland, you must notify the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) to suspend your Hungarian social security entitlement. Failing to do so can result in a double contribution obligation.
Useful organisations and links
Organisation | What it's useful for | Contact |
|---|
ch.ch | Official Swiss information portal (in English, German, French, and Italian) | ch.ch |
SECO | Labour market statistics, GAV database | seco.admin.ch |
SBFI | Diploma recognition, vocational training | sbfi.admin.ch |
BAG | Recognition of medical degrees | bag.admin.ch |
RAV / ORP | Employment office, job-seeking support | arbeit.swiss |
priminfo.admin.ch | KVG health insurance premium calculator | priminfo.admin.ch |
Lohnrechner.ch | Salary calculator compared to Swiss averages | lohnrechner.ch |
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Sources
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