Basel opens police jobs to expats with B permits in a Swiss first

Expats in Switzerland who hold B-permits, rather than a permanent C-permit, are undergoing training to join the Basel-Stadt cantonal police.

Basel-Stadt police expand job requirements

For more than 30 years, anyone wanting to join the cantonal police force in Basel had to either be a Swiss citizen or, for a few, hold a permanent residence permit (known as a Swiss C-permit). Now, for the first time in Switzerland, expats who hold a B-permit are set to join the police.

Four German citizens who hold temporary residence permits (B-permits) in Switzerland are starting police training at the intercantonal police academy (Polizeischule) in Hitzkirch, according to SRF.

The Basel-Stadt police are struggling with labour shortages and are currently around 100 people understaffed. To help, “we can easily employ capable people with a B permit,” commented Harald Zsedényi from the Basel-Stadt Police Officers' Association (Polizeibeamtenverband Basel-Stadt).

Swiss B-permit vs C-permit: How residence rules affect job mobility

Switzerland is not part of the European Union, so even EU and EFTA citizens need to apply for a residence permit to live and work in the country long-term (although they may be given preferential treatment during the process). 

A B-permit for EU/EFTA nationals is typically valid for up to five years, while for citizens from outside the EU, the validity period is one year. A C-permit, on the other hand, is more permanent, allowing expats to stay in Switzerland longer and without an employment contract. 

Swiss citizenship a requirement for some jobs 

While the police don’t mind if you come from a neighbouring Swiss canton or a neighbouring country, job applicants ideally must have lived in Basel for a while. “For example, they should have grown up in a neighbouring country or otherwise [be] familiar with Basel,” continues police spokesman Adrian Plachesi. 

There are already around 30 to 40 police officers employed in the Basel police force who hold a C-permit and “most grew up in Basel or have lived here for a long time”. 

Other institutions, such as the Association of Swiss Police Officers (Verband Schweizerischer Polizei-Beamter/VSPB), are more wary of internationals working in police or the public sector. In some jobs, being a Swiss citizen is a requirement. “The armed wing of the state must be represented by Swiss citizens,” according to the association’s website.