What concretely changes for cross-border apprentices?

The main novelty is the elimination of the obligation to renew the G permit annually. With the new legislation approved by the National Council, the work permit will be granted for the entire duration of the apprenticeship contract, eliminating the bureaucratic procedure that obliged young people to renew their residence permit every twelve months.

How many border apprentices are there in Ticino?

According to cantonal data, the total number of apprentices in Ticino is about 9,000 units, of which about 700 are border workers. This figure corresponds to about 8% of the total, with percentages reaching 33% in specific institutes such as the SPAI of Mendrisio.

Does the reform cover all types of apprenticeships?

The legislation applies to cross-border apprentices, including those attending a basic vocational school. The permit will be issued for the duration of the internship, which depending on the training course can vary from two to four years, equating their status to that of other frontier workers with permanent contracts.

G Leave for Apprentices: Farewell to Annual Renewals (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on 15 July 2026

Historical turnaround for over 700 young cross-border apprentices: the G work permit will be valid for the entire duration of the internship, eliminating the annual bureaucracy.

Context

In a nutshell

The reform for young border apprentices has been approved.
The G permit will cover the entire duration of the internship.
Elimination of the obligation of annual bureaucratic renewal.
Involved over 700 border apprentices in Ticino.

Key facts

What: G permit validity extension for apprentices.
When: Historical decision of the National Council.
Where: Canton of Ticino.
Who: EU/EFTA border apprentices.
Number: Over 700 apprentices involved.
Result: 132 votes in favor, 59 against.

The National Council has officially approved a measure aimed at radically changing the bureaucratic management of young cross-border workers in training. By a vote of 132 in favour to 59 against, Parliament confirmed the extension of the validity of the permesso G to cover the entire professional traineeship course. This decision ends a long legislative process aimed at simplifying the entry and stay of young people who choose the Swiss dual system for their training.

A simplified procedure for the professional future

Until now, apprentices residing in Italy and employed in Ticino, including those attending a basic vocational school, were obliged to apply for the renewal of their residence permit every twelve months. This procedure has been defined by the promoters of the reform as cumbersome and anachronistic, creating a burden

Operational details

The impact of this reform on the Ticino territory is particularly significant, given the structural nature of the presence of workers in training from the Italian border territories. Currently, the Canton of Ticino hosts about 9,000 apprentices, of which about 700 are border workers, representing about 8% of the total population of young people in vocational training. This percentage is not evenly distributed throughout the territory, but shows high peaks in specific technical and professional institutes.

Impact analysis in vocational schools

The incidence of frontier workers is particularly marked in centres of excellence such as the SPAI (Artisan and Industrial Vocational School) in Mendrisio. In this structure, the number of cross-border apprentices reaches 33% of the total enrolled, with 270 students out of a total of 810. Reducing bureaucracy will allow these young people to focus more on their studies without the recurring worry of the annual expiry of the permit. For companies operating in Ticino, the advantage is twofold: on the one hand, the administrative practices necessary for the retention of trainees are reduced, on the other hand, greater stability is guaranteed in the employment relationship, which is essential for the planning of long-term apprenticeship paths.

The comparison with the previous situation shows that the annual renewal system was

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

To benefit from the new legislation, it is essential to carefully monitor the official communications that will be issued regarding the operating procedures for issuing permits. Although the law has been approved by the National Council, the next step is the technical implementation at cantonal office level of migration. Young apprentices and training companies will have to verify, at the time of signing new internship contracts, that the residence permit is issued according to the new multi-year duration, thus avoiding the annual renewal procedures that have characterized the past.

Recommended steps for companies and apprentices

It is advisable for cross-border apprentices to keep up-to-date documentation relating to their employment contract and school attendance, as these elements form the basis for the duration of the permesso G. With regard to the management of contributions and taxes, it should be noted that the status of border apprentice does not exempt from Swiss social security and tax obligations. It is advisable to use simulation tools to better understand your net payroll, considering the AVS, AI and IPG withholdings, in addition to the source tax applied in the Canton. For a precise analysis of your salary situation, you can use the calcolatore stipendio available on the portal, which allows you to estimate the monthly net based on gross salary

Source: comozero.it

Frequently Asked Questions

What concretely changes for cross-border apprentices?: The main novelty is the elimination of the obligation to renew the G permit annually. With the new legislation approved by the National Council, the work permit will be granted for the entire duration of the apprenticeship contract, eliminating the bureaucratic procedure that obliged young people to renew their residence permit every twelve months.
How many border apprentices are there in Ticino?: According to cantonal data, the total number of apprentices in Ticino is about 9,000 units, of which about 700 are border workers. This figure corresponds to about 8% of the total, with percentages reaching 33% in specific institutes such as the SPAI of Mendrisio.
Does the reform cover all types of apprenticeships?: The legislation applies to cross-border apprentices, including those attending a basic vocational school. The permit will be issued for the duration of the internship, which depending on the training course can vary from two to four years, equating their status to that of other frontier workers with permanent contracts.