Swiss Confederation vs Hellenic Republic
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Swiss Confederation
Switzerland operates a dual system: EU/EFTA nationals benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) with simplified procedures, while third-country nationals face strict quotas and labour-market tests. The cantonal migration offices (Migrationsämter) administer permits locally under federal SEM guidelines. Key permit types are B (residence), C (settlement/permanent), L (short-term), and G (cross-border commuter).
- Official portal
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- Languages
- German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Currency
- Swiss franc
Hellenic Republic
Greece should be added because it combines standard work and EU Blue Card routes with high-interest residence categories for remote workers, financially independent people and investors. The system is document-heavy, so the user value is in translating official Ministry guidance into plain planning checklists.
- Official portal
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum (Greece)
- Languages
- Greek
- Currency
- Euro
How Swiss Confederation and Hellenic Republic differ
| Dimension | Swiss Confederation | Hellenic Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 3 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 2 | 2 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 3 | 2 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) | EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | German, French, Italian, Romansh | Greek |
| Currency | Swiss franc | Euro |
| Primary regulator | SAV | Greek Bars |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Swiss Confederation
B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Hellenic Republic
EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Routes unique to Swiss Confederation
B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
work-sponsored
L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)
work-sponsored
C Permit — Settlement (Niederlassungsbewilligung)
residence-general
Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung für Studierende)
study
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
family
Routes unique to Hellenic Republic
Visa routes side by side
Swiss Confederation (5)
B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
Sponsor · To settlement · Up to 1 year; renewable annually.
L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Up to 12 months; can be extended once for up to another 12 months in exceptional cases.
C Permit — Settlement (Niederlassungsbewilligung)
No sponsor · To settlement · Indefinite — valid as long as you remain resident in Switzerland.
Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung für Studierende)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · 1 year; renewable for duration of studies.
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
No sponsor · To settlement · Tied to the sponsor's permit status.
Hellenic Republic (3)
EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker
Sponsor · To settlement · Residence permit validity follows Greek/EU Blue Card rules and the employment basis.
Digital Nomad Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Short initial visa with possible residence-permit route depending on stay plan.
Golden Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Residence permit is renewable if the qualifying investment condition continues.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Swiss Confederation or Hellenic Republic?+
Swiss Confederation’s B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) is the dominant skilled route; Hellenic Republic’s EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.