What are the Lombard provinces with the highest growth in border crossers?

The province of Monza and Brianza recorded the most marked increase, with a 77.7% growth in G permits active in Ticino in the decade 2015-2025. The provinces of Como and Varese also maintain high numbers, with respective growths of 23.6% and 21%.

How many are the total number of Italian border crossers in Ticino in 2025?

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (BFS), in the last quarter of 2025 the total number of workers with a G permit from Italy and active in Ticino reached 91,246.

What does a new frontier worker need to do to manage their tax position?

The worker must be aware that the tax at source is withheld in Switzerland. Subsequently, it is required to declare income in Italy, making use of the tax credit to avoid double taxation, in accordance with current international agreements and Italian tax legislation.

Frontier workers: where workers arrive in Ticino

By Redazione Frontaliere Ticino (AI-generated text) · Published on 23 July 2026

Panoramic view of a Ticino city with urban infrastructure

Data from the Federal Statistical Office reveal the origin of workers with G: boom permits in Brianza, Como and Varese buildings.

Context

In brief

Growth of 30% of border workers in 10 years.
Over 91,000 workers with G permit in Ticino.
The province of Monza and Brianza records a +77.7%.
Lombardy remains the main recruitment pool.

Key facts

What: Census of workers with G permit in Ticino.
When: Period 2015-2025.
Where: Canton Ticino and Lombardy provinces.
Who: Federal Statistical Office (BFS).
Amount: 91,246 border workers in Q4 2025.

The Swiss labor market is undergoing a significant transformation, documented by the data published by the Federal Statistical Office (BFS). Historically, the flow of border workers to the Canton Ticino was concentrated in the provinces of Como and Varese, but today we are witnessing a geographical diversification that involves areas previously less oriented towards the Swiss market. Between the first quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2025, the total number of Italian workers with G permit active in Ticino increased from 70,157 to 91,246 units, recording a growth of over 30%.

The new geography of commuting

The analysis of the data shows that the Lombardy basin has become the primary reference point for Ticino companies. From Lombardy alone, 68,371 border workers are active in Ticino, to which are added 6,600 workers employed in other Swiss cantons. Although Como and Varese maintain high numbers, respectively with 32,800 and 31,900 border workers, it is the province of Monza and Brianza that surprises for the dynamism of the growth. In locations such as Seregno, Desio, and Lissone, the number of active G permits in Ticino has almost doubled in the considered decade, passing from 508 to 903, with a percentage increase of 77.7%. Even the provinces of Milan, Lecco, Bergamo, and Brescia show a growing participation, albeit with different numerical volumes, confirming that work in Switzerland represents today a solid professional choice for an increasingly large number of residents in northern Italy.

Operational details

The analysis of the data provided by the SBB allows us to better understand the employment dynamics that influence the Swiss market. The progression does not only concern the immediate border areas, but extends to the entire productive fabric of Lombardy. The province of Como recorded an increase of 23.6%, from 26,031 to 32,176 units, while Varese recorded a growth of 21%, from 25,954 to 31,411 border crossers. The Lombard capital also saw an increase of 19.1%, with 2,027 border crossers in 2025 compared to 1,701 in 2015. This shift in mindset, which sees workers looking across borders for profitable positions, requires careful management of human resources and administrative procedures by Swiss companies.

Implications for the labour market

The growing demand for employment in Switzerland by residents in less traditional provinces, such as Monza and Brianza or Lecco, entails logistical and organisational challenges. For Ticino companies, this means being able to draw on a wider pool of expertise, but it also requires in-depth knowledge of current regulations, including the management of the minimum wage and the correct application of withholding taxes. It is critical that candidates and employers are aligned on contractual terms. Considering the costo della vita in Switzerland with respect to the salaries offered is a necessary step for each new hire. The evolution of the market, monitored

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

For those who intend to pursue a career in Switzerland, it is necessary to carefully follow the administrative procedures provided for the issuance of the G permit. The first step consists of obtaining a work contract from a Swiss company, which will initiate the notification or permit request procedure with the cantonal authorities. It is essential to verify the contractual position, ensuring that the minimum salaries provided by collective contracts or, in the absence of these, by the applicable cantonal minimum wages are respected. Correct management of the payslip is a crucial element: source taxes are withheld directly in Switzerland, and the worker must subsequently manage the tax credit in Italy to avoid double taxation, in accordance with current tax regulations.

Evaluating a Ticino job offer? Simulate your net payslip: enter gross salary, marital status and municipality for a detailed breakdown.

Source: ilgiorno.it

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Lombard provinces with the highest growth in border crossers?: The province of Monza and Brianza recorded the most marked increase, with a 77.7% growth in G permits active in Ticino in the decade 2015-2025. The provinces of Como and Varese also maintain high numbers, with respective growths of 23.6% and 21%.
How many are the total number of Italian border crossers in Ticino in 2025?: According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (BFS), in the last quarter of 2025 the total number of workers with a G permit from Italy and active in Ticino reached 91,246.
What does a new frontier worker need to do to manage their tax position?: The worker must be aware that the tax at source is withheld in Switzerland. Subsequently, it is required to declare income in Italy, making use of the tax credit to avoid double taxation, in accordance with current international agreements and Italian tax legislation.