What is the difference between a B permit and a G permit?

The B permit is for those who reside in Switzerland; the G permit is for cross-border workers who live in Italy and work in Switzerland, returning home at least once a week.

Which is more tax-efficient: the B permit or the G permit?

It depends on salary, family situation, and municipality of residence. For high salaries, the B permit may offer lower rates thanks to ordinary taxation.

Permit B or G Quiz | Frontaliere Ticino

Permit B or G Quiz — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.

Last updated: April 2026

By Frontaliere Ticino Editorial Team · Cross-border tax & pension specialists

The G vs B permit quiz helps you determine which Swiss work permit is best suited to your situation through a series of practical questions about your employment, family configuration, commute preferences, and financial priorities. The quiz is not a legal determination — it provides a personalised recommendation based on common cross-border worker profiles.

Questions cover key decision factors: gross salary level (the breakeven point where B permit becomes financially advantageous is typically around CHF 90,000-110,000 for a family), children's ages and schooling preferences, daily commute tolerance, and long-term residency plans.

After completing the quiz, you receive a personalised analysis linking to the relevant calculators: net salary under each permit type, cost of living comparison, healthcare premium comparison, and the residence change simulator to model the financial impact of switching permits.

This page is part of Frontaliere Ticino, the reference platform for cross-border workers between Switzerland (Canton Ticino) and Italy. Find practical tools, updated data, and verified information.

Content is designed to help cross-border workers make informed decisions about taxation, pensions, transportation, cost of living, and administrative procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a B permit and a G permit?: The B permit is for those who reside in Switzerland; the G permit is for cross-border workers who live in Italy and work in Switzerland, returning home at least once a week.
Which is more tax-efficient: the B permit or the G permit?: It depends on salary, family situation, and municipality of residence. For high salaries, the B permit may offer lower rates thanks to ordinary taxation.