An internship in Switzerland combines closeness to Germany with rules of its own. Switzerland is not part of the EU, but the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons makes entry and stays considerably easier for many Germans. Health insurance, residence permits and pay are still governed by Swiss rules, which you should know before you accept an offer.
Short answer: For an internship in Switzerland you do not need a visa as a German citizen, because the Free Movement of Persons Agreement applies. For up to three months per calendar year, your Swiss employer only needs to notify you, and beyond that you need a residence permit. Switzerland is currently not associated with Erasmus+, and association is planned for 2027. The HAWK lists rates for internships there in line with country group 1, that is, 750 euros. Stand: October 2026.
The key points at a glance
- As a German citizen you generally do not need a visa.
- Up to three months per calendar year you do not need a permit. The employer registers you online, and beyond that you need a residence permit. For contracts of three months to a year, this is the short-term residence permit L EU/EFTA (SEM factsheet).
- If you live in Switzerland, you must insure yourself under the Health Insurance Act (KVG).
- The EHIC also applies in Switzerland for necessary treatment, but not for repatriation.
- Minimum wages follow Swiss law and apply in some cantons and sectors.
Do I need a visa or a residence permit for Switzerland?
For Germans the Free Movement of Persons Agreement between the EU and Switzerland applies. According to the factsheet of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), you do not need a residence permit for employment of up to three months per calendar year. However, the Swiss employer must register you in the electronic notification procedure no later than the day before work begins. If the activity lasts longer than three months per calendar year, you need a residence permit, which you apply for together with your employment contract. For a contract of three months to one year, this is the short-term residence permit L EU/EFTA, limited to the duration of the contract. For longer or open-ended contracts, it is the B permit, valid for five years. Which office is responsible in each case depends on the canton.
| Topic | What generally applies | Responsible body |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | No visa for German citizens for short stays | Federal Foreign Office |
| Employment up to three months per calendar year | No permit. The employer notifies you no later than the day before work begins | Employer, electronic notification procedure (SEM) |
| Employment over three months | Residence permit with the employment contract. For three months to one year, short-term residence permit L EU/EFTA | Cantonal migration office |
| Residence | Registration with the municipality | Local municipality |
| General information | Rules on migration and residence | State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
Which health insurance applies in Switzerland?
The EHIC also applies in Switzerland and covers medically necessary treatment. Section 13(4) SGB V names Switzerland explicitly, so statutory health insured persons can also seek treatment there through cost reimbursement, provided no flat-rate allowance applies. The card does not cover repatriation to Germany. Treatment in a hospital can be very expensive, which is why supplementary insurance is especially important here. Our article on private health insurance during an exchange semester, Student Health Insurance Abroad: Erasmus, USA and Work and Travel, answers similar questions.
For a compulsory, unpaid internship, section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V applies. Your German membership as an intern lasts until the end of the activity or until you turn 30 (section 190(10) SGB V). Whether Swiss compulsory insurance applies to paid work in Switzerland should be clarified with your health insurer and your employer, because the free movement agreement also contains rules on social security.
How much funding is realistic for Switzerland?
Switzerland is currently not associated with the Erasmus+ 2021 to 2027 programme. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI) writes that the EU programme agreement provides for association from 2027 and was signed on 10 November 2025, but that Parliament still has to approve the funding. Until then the “Swiss solution” applies, a separate programme of its own. The HAWK lists internships in Switzerland under the section “Erasmus+ International” with the note that the funding rates correspond to those of country group 1, which means 750 euros per month including the 150 euro surcharge (project year 2026). Whether your International Office offers this funding depends on your university, so ask before you accept an offer. Switzerland is generally more expensive than Germany, so check rent and living costs before you treat the grant as full funding. Background on financing is provided by our guide Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships.
Assumption: three-month internship, 750 euros per month. Calculation: 3 × 750 euros = 2,250 euros in grants. Check with your university whether it pays exactly this amount, because billing and payment dates differ between universities.
| Programme | Monthly rate | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ International, internship in Switzerland | 750 euros, as for country group 1, participation depends on the university | Project year 2026, HAWK; association status SBFI, retrieved October 2026 |
| PROMOS of the DAAD | Not possible, because Switzerland is in Europe | University of Marburg page, undated |
Does an internship in Switzerland have to be paid?
The German Minimum Wage Act does not apply in Switzerland. Compulsory internships are exempt from it in Germany under section 22 MiLoG. Pay in Switzerland follows cantonal or sector-specific minimum wages, where these exist. Agree the amount with the host organisation and your university and record it in the contract.
Which documents do you need?
- Internship contract stating the duration, working hours and pay
- Learning agreement from your university
- Proof of health insurance, meaning the EHIC and the written statement from your health insurer
- Valid passport or identity card
Frequently asked questions
Do I need health insurance in Switzerland if I only do an internship?
Anyone who takes up residence there must insure themselves under the KVG. For a short internship without a residence, protection through your German health insurer and the EHIC is usually sufficient. Ask your health insurer which solution suits your duration.
Why does the Erasmus rate not cover all costs?
Erasmus+ is a grant, not full funding. Rent, transport and living costs in Switzerland often exceed the funding amount. Plan with your own money or a loan before you accept an offer.
Do I pay in euros or Swiss francs in Switzerland?
In everyday life you will pay in Swiss francs. Before you open an account, compare the fees for international payments, so that the Erasmus grant does not shrink through exchange costs.
Can I stay in Switzerland without registering?
For a longer stay, registration with the municipality is mandatory. Do it in your first days, because rental contracts and insurance policies also ask for proof of residence.
What to do now
- Clarify with your university whether your internship in Switzerland is eligible for funding.
- Ask the cantonal migration office or your place of residence whether you need a residence permit.
- Ask your health insurer how your protection looks for the entire period.
- Plan your budget with Swiss prices, not German figures.
Related guides
- Private Health Insurance for Internships: What You Need to Know
- Student Health Insurance Abroad: Erasmus, USA and Work and Travel
- Internship Abroad in France: Visa, Insurance and Funding
- Internship Abroad in the Netherlands: Visa, Insurance, Funding
- Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships
Sources: State Secretariat for Migration SEM (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 13 cost reimbursement (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 5 (as of October 2026), HAWK, Erasmus+ internship monthly rates, project year 2026, University of Marburg, PROMOS internship (undated), SEM, factsheet on residence with employment for EU/EFTA nationals (undated; the code “SP_01/25” suggests an edition from January 2025, which is not confirmed), SBFI, international mobility and cooperation in education (undated, retrieved October 2026).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is information, not individual advice.
