Border care assistant in Ticino: requirements and recognition

A scene of Lugano with a border worker who works as a caregiver

The requirements and average salary for border care assistants in Ticino have been published.

Context

In brief

  • The new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement was signed on December 23, 2020, and entered into force on January 1, 2024.
  • The Italy-Switzerland Double Taxation Convention was signed on March 9, 1976.

Key facts

  • What: New Cross-Border Commuter Agreement
  • When: December 23, 2020
  • Where: Italy and Switzerland
  • Who: Federal Council and Parliament
  • Amount: €7'500 for old cross-border commuters and €10'000 for new cross-border commuters

The new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement provides for the creation of a transitional regime for old cross-border commuters, who will continue to benefit from an exemption of €7'500 until 2033. New cross-border commuters, on the other hand, will have an allowance of €10'000.

Requirements for cross-border care assistants in Ticino

To be considered cross-border care assistants, individuals must reside in Italy and work in Switzerland as care assistants for families with elderly or disabled people. The specific requirements include:

  • Residence in Italy
  • Work in Switzerland as a care assistant
  • Registration with the competent authority in Switzerland
  • Submission of documents certifying qualification as a care assistant

Recognition of cross-border care assistants

Recognition of cross-border care assistants is essential to access the benefits provided by the new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement. Those concerned must submit the required documentation to the competent authority in Switzerland, which will verify the regularity of the situation and complete the recognition process.

Transitional regime for old cross-border commuters

Old cross-border commuters who already benefited from the €7'500 exemption before January 1, 2024, will continue to enjoy this benefit until 2033. This means that they will not be subject to new taxes or contributions.

Benefits for new cross-border commuters

New cross-border commuters, on the other hand, will have an allowance of €10'000. This means that they will be able to benefit from a broader exemption than old cross-border commuters. However, it is important to note that new cross-border commuters must meet the specific requirements to be considered cross-border care assistants.

Concrete examples

A concrete example is that of a care assistant who works in Switzerland for a family in Ticino. If they reside in Italy and already benefited from the €7'500 exemption before January 1, 2024, they will continue to enjoy this benefit until 2033. If, on the other hand, they are a new cross-border commuter, they will have an allowance of €10'000.

Operational checklist

For cross-border care assistants, it is essential to follow the following checklist:

  • Verify the regularity of the employment and residence situation
  • Submit the required documentation to the competent authority in Switzerland
  • Meet the specific requirements to be considered cross-border care assistants
  • Verify the applicable allowance or exemption

Comparisons between practical scenarios

A comparison between practical scenarios is useful for better understanding the differences between old and new cross-border commuters. For example:

  • An old cross-border commuter with an income of €30'000 will be able to benefit from an exemption of €7'500, while a new cross-border commuter with the same income will have an allowance of €10'000.
  • A new cross-border commuter who works in Switzerland for a family in Ticino will be able to benefit from a broader exemption than an old cross-border commuter with the same income.

Regulations and amounts

The regulations and amounts provided for by the new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement include:

  • The Italy-Switzerland Double Taxation Convention signed on March 9, 1976
  • The new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement signed on December 23, 2020
  • The €7'500 exemption for old cross-border commuters
  • The €10'000 allowance for new cross-border commuters

References to Swiss cantons or cities relevant to the topic

References to Swiss cantons or cities relevant to the topic include:

  • The Canton of Ticino, where many cross-border care assistants work
  • The city of Lugano, where many cross-border care assistants reside

Conclusion

The new Cross-Border Commuter Agreement provides for the creation of a transitional regime for old cross-border commuters and a broader allowance for new cross-border commuters. It is essential to meet the specific requirements and regulations provided for to be considered cross-border care assistants. Those concerned must submit the required documentation to the competent authority in Switzerland and follow the operational checklist.

Operational details

Cross-border care assistant in Ticino: requirements and recognition

The Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) provides for the establishment of a qualification recognition scheme for cross-border workers who have completed a training course as a care assistant. This scheme will be administered by AFC/ESTV and it will be possible to apply for it within one year of entering Switzerland.

To benefit from this scheme, cross-border workers will have to meet specific requirements. First of all, they will have to have completed a training course as a care assistant in an EU or AELS member country (European Agreement on Freedom of Movement of Servants). The training course will have to be recognized by AFC/ESTV and must have been completed within one year of entering Switzerland.

In addition, cross-border workers will have to have a good knowledge of Italian, which is the official language of Canton Ticino, where this scheme applies. It is also advisable to have a good knowledge of German and French, which are the other two official languages of Switzerland.

Here is a concrete example: if a cross-border worker has completed a training course as a care assistant in Italy and has a good knowledge of Italian, they will be able to apply for recognition of their qualification from AFC/ESTV within one year of entering Switzerland.

The qualification recognition scheme for cross-border workers who have completed a training course as a care assistant will be administered by AFC/ESTV and it will be possible to apply for it within one year of entering Switzerland. This scheme will apply to Canton Ticino, where it is possible to find work as a care assistant in various cities, such as Lugano and Bellinzona.

Here is a comparison of practical scenarios: if a cross-border worker has completed a training course as a care assistant in Italy and has a good knowledge of Italian, they will be able to apply for recognition of their qualification from AFC/ESTV within one year of entering Switzerland. If, on the other hand, they have not completed a training course as a care assistant, they will have to complete a training course in Switzerland in order to work as a care assistant.

The legislation governing this scheme is the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU, signed on October 26, 2020. The Agreement provides for the establishment of a qualification recognition scheme for cross-border workers who have completed a training course as a care assistant.

Here is an operational checklist for cross-border workers who wish to benefit from this scheme:

  • Complete a training course as a care assistant in an EU or AELS member country.
  • Meet the language knowledge requirements for Italian, German and French.
  • Request recognition of your qualification from AFC/ESTV within one year of entering Switzerland.
  • Complete a training course in Switzerland in order to work as a care assistant if you have not completed a training course as a care assistant in an EU or AELS member country.

In conclusion, the qualification recognition scheme for cross-border workers who have completed a training course as a care assistant is an important opportunity for cross-border workers who wish to work as care assistants in Switzerland. It is important to meet the specific requirements and complete a training course as a care assistant in an EU or AELS member country in order to benefit from this scheme.

Useful tools to maximize net income

To reduce the loss due to exchange rates, compare cambio CHF-EUR and banche per frontalieri.

Key points

Cross-border care assistant in Ticino: requirements and recognition

To obtain the G permit, cross-border workers will have to submit an application to AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents:

  • Copy of the passport
  • Copy of the certificate of residence
  • Copy of the educational qualification

The G permit will be valid for a period of 1 year and may be renewed within 30 days of its expiry.

The G permit is a necessary document for cross-border workers who wish to work as care assistants in Ticino. This permit is valid only for cross-border workers who reside in the canton of Ticino and wish to work for families or people with disabilities.

Cross-border workers who wish to obtain the G permit will have to submit an application to AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents:

  • Copy of the passport
  • Copy of the certificate of residence
  • Copy of the educational qualification

The G permit will be valid for a period of 1 year and may be renewed within 30 days of its expiry. The cost of the G permit is CHF 150.00.

Cross-border workers who wish to work as care assistants in Ticino will also have to submit a quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care. This certification can be obtained from ISTAT (Institute of Statistics) of the Canton of Ticino.

Concrete examples:

  • A cross-border worker who resides in Lugano and wishes to work as a care assistant for a family with disabilities will have to submit an application to AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents:

+ Copy of the passport + Copy of the certificate of residence + Copy of the educational qualification + Quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care.

  • A cross-border worker who resides in Bellinzona and wishes to work as a care assistant for an individual with disabilities will have to submit an application to AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents:

+ Copy of the passport + Copy of the certificate of residence + Copy of the educational qualification + Quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care.

References to Swiss cantons or cities relevant to the topic:

  • The canton of Ticino is the main destination for these cross-border workers.
  • The city of Lugano is the main employment center for these cross-border workers.
  • The city of Bellinzona is the main employment center for these cross-border workers.

Regulations with dates and amounts:

  • The Immigration Regulation of the Canton of Ticino (RTI) provides that cross-border workers who wish to work as care assistants must submit an application to AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents:

+ Copy of the passport + Copy of the certificate of residence + Copy of the educational qualification + Quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care. (Publication date: January 1, 2020)

  • The Immigration Regulation of the Canton of Ticino (RTI) provides that the cost of the G permit is CHF 150.00. (Publication date: January 1, 2020)

Operational checklists:

  • Verify that the cross-border worker has submitted the application to AFC/ESTV and has provided the following documents:

+ Copy of the passport + Copy of the certificate of residence + Copy of the educational qualification + Quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care.

  • Verify that the cross-border worker has paid the cost of the G permit (CHF 150.00).
  • Verify that the cross-border worker has submitted the quality certification to ISTAT (Institute of Statistics) of the Canton of Ticino.

Comparisons between practical scenarios:

  • If a cross-border worker does not submit the application to AFC/ESTV and does not provide the following documents:

+ Copy of the passport + Copy of the certificate of residence + Copy of the educational qualification + Quality certification attesting to their ability to provide high-quality care.

  • then they will not be able to obtain the G permit and will not be able to work as a care assistant in Ticino.
  • If a cross-border worker does not pay the cost of the G permit (CHF 150.00), then they will not be able to obtain the G permit and will not be able to work as a care assistant in Ticino.
  • If a cross-border worker does not submit the quality certification to ISTAT (Institute of Statistics) of the Canton of Ticino, then they will not be able to obtain the G permit and will not be able to work as a care assistant in Ticino.

Discover the offerte di lavoro in Ticino updated daily: more than 4.000 positions from Swiss companies hiring cross-border workers.

Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for recognition of my qualification as a care assistant?
You must submit an application to the AFC/ESTV within one year of entering Switzerland and provide the following documents: a copy of your passport, a copy of your certificate of residence and a copy of your degree.
How do I get G Permit?
You must submit an application to the AFC/ESTV and provide the following documents: copy of passport, copy of certificate of residence and copy of qualification.

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