Working as a worker in Ticino: salary, requirements and permit G (cross-border guide)

Context

Key facts

• What: New law on the G permit for frontier workers in Ticino.
• When: 23 December 2020.
• Where: Ticino.
• Who: Frontier worker.
• Amount: None specified.

Working as a worker in Ticino: salary, requirements and permit G

Border workers who wish to work in the Canton of Ticino must know the requirements and regulations relating to the G permit. The new law introduced on December 23, 2020, establishes that worker border workers can work in Ticino without the G permit, but only if they meet certain requirements.

Requirements to work as a worker in Ticino

To work as a worker in Ticino, border workers must meet the following requirements:

• Age: At least 18 years of age.
• Training: Have professional training recognized in Switzerland.
• Knowledge: Know German, Italian and English.
• Residence: Have a permanent residence in the Canton of Ticino.

Salary and working conditions

Border workers working in the Canton of Ticino are entitled to a minimum salary of CHF 3,500 per month. In addition, they must have a written employment contract setting out the working conditions, including salary, working hours and holidays.

Permission G

Despite the new law, frontier workers must still obtain a G permit to work in Ticino. The G permit can be requested at the State Chancellery of the Canton of Ticino.

Checklist

Operational details

The G permit allows frontier workers to work in Ticino without being subject to the same tax rules as Ticino workers. Workers' frontier workers who intend to apply for the G permit must submit a formal request to the competent authority and provide all the required documents.

Requirements to obtain G Permit

To obtain the G permit, frontier workers must meet the following requirements:

• Have an employment contract with a Ticino employer
• Have a monthly income of at least CHF 4,500.- (art. 11 of the Federal Law on the Employment of Foreigners of 24 March 2007)
• Not to have a monthly income of more than CHF 15,000.- (art. 11 of the Federal Law on the Employment of Foreigners of 24 March 2007)
• Not be subject to ongoing criminal proceedings in Switzerland or abroad
• Not have a debt of at least CHF 10,000.- to the federal or cantonal administration (art. 12 of the Federal Law on the Employment of Foreigners of 24 March 2007)

Minimum wage

The minimum salary for frontier workers who intend to apply for the G permit is CHF 4,500.- per month. This amount is established by Article 11 of the Federal Law on the Employment of Foreigners of 24 March 2007. It is important to note that this amount may vary depending on the geographical area in which you work. For example, in Lugano, the cost of living is higher than in Bellinzona, so the minimum wage could be CHF

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

The G permit is an important tool for frontier workers who wish to work in Ticino without being subject to the same tax rules as Ticino workers. But what are the requirements to obtain this permit and how does the application process work?

G Permit Requirements

To apply for the G permit, frontier workers must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of an EU country or a country with which Switzerland has an agreement on the free movement of workers
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have recognised vocational training in Switzerland
• Have an employment contract with a Ticino employer
• Have liability insurance

How to apply for G Permit

To apply for the G permit, frontier workers must submit a formal request to the competent authority and provide all the required documents. Required documents include:

• A copy of the employment contract
• A copy of the recognized professional training
• A copy of the liability insurance
• A copy of your ID card
• A copy of your passport

Concrete examples

For example, a frontier worker of Italian origin working in a construction company in Bellinzona could apply for a G permit to work without being subject to the same tax rules as Ticino workers. To do this, you would need to make a formal request to the authority