Extension of the AFMP to EFTA states and the special case of Liechtenstein.
Last reviewed
03.06.2026
Statute as of
01.06.2002 (EFTA-Anhang K via Vaduz-Konvention in Kraft); current consolidation 2024
Statute citations
8 linked
Reading time
24 min read
As of: 01.06.2026 · Snapshot
EFTA Agreement and the Liechtenstein Special Case — Norway, Iceland and the Principality in Swiss Immigration Law
Frequently asked
4 answers on this topic.
Concrete questions people ask about EFTA — Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.
Yes – the free movement of persons was extended to Norway and Iceland by the amended EFTA Agreement (Vaduz Convention 2001). Norwegian and Icelandic nationals therefore have the same rights as EU citizens: B residence permit (5 years), C settlement permit after 5 or 10 years, family reunification, and the right to change jobs freely.
Statute citations
8 statute citations, each linked directly.
01Reviewed: Tier A · Info
EFTA-Übereinkommen (Stockholm-Konvention 1960, konsolidiert via Vaduz-Konvention 2001), SR 0.632.31 — VERIFY exact ELI URI
: 01.01.2024 — Current version: LEI/LStrI/FNIA SR 142.20, OASA SR 142.201, EFTA Agreement Annex K, and the bilateral Switzerland–Liechtenstein Agreements.
Status
: AI draft, pending review by the supervising lawyer of record (CLR — Lawyer-of-Record).
1. Overview — EFTA and the FZA parallel regime under Annex K
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) today comprises four member states: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Three of these four states — Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — are also contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) and participate in the EU’s freedom of movement of persons through this agreement; Switzerland, on the other hand, rejected the EEA accession referendum in 1992 and regulates the freedom of movement with the EU bilaterally through the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP, SR 0.142.112.681).
In order to create a functioning system for the free movement of persons between the four member states, despite their differing EEA status, the EFTA Convention of 1960 was comprehensively revised by the Vaduz Convention of 21 June 2001. Since the revised version came into force on 1 June 2002, Annex K of the EFTA Convention (Appendix 1 to Annex K concerning the free movement of persons) regulates the free movement between the four EFTA states in an architecture that is substantially identical in substance to the Swiss-European FZA. The formulation "EU/EFTA permit", which is often found in the advisory and administrative practice texts, reflects precisely this parallel: the same types of permits, the same requirements, the same logic of free movement – the difference lies in the public international law treaty, not in the substantive legal status.
Norway and Iceland travel under this regime without significant restrictions to Switzerland and can live and work there; Switzerland treats Norwegian and Icelandic nationals for immigration purposes in practice the same as EU citizens. Liechtenstein, on the other hand, is a special case with two asymmetries: although the full EFTA Annex K freedom of movement applies to nationals of Liechtenstein when entering Switzerland, Liechtenstein itself enjoys an EEA safeguard clause practice for limiting immigration due to its historical dual status (EEA member and at the same time part of the Swiss customs territory under the 1923 Customs Agreement). Specifically: Swiss nationals who wish to move to Liechtenstein must apply for an FL residence permit with its own FL immigration quotas. This asymmetrical structure is the central point for advisory practice.
2. Norway and Iceland — Annex K free movement of persons identical to the AFMP
Norwegian and Icelandic nationals in Switzerland are subject to the permit system under EFTA Annex K, Appendix 1, which mirrors the AFMP structure in terms of content. This results in the following types of permits:
Permit
Legal basis
Function
L EU/EFTA
EFTA Annex K Art. 6 Appendix 1 in conjunction with Art. 32 LEI/LStrI/FNIA
Short-term permit for up to 12 months, typically for temporary employment
B EU/EFTA
EFTA Annex K Art. 6 Appendix 1 in conjunction with Art. 33 LEI/LStrI/FNIA
Residence permit for 5 years, regularly renewable if the conditions for AFMP are continuously met
C EU/EFTA
EFTA Annex K + Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and Norway / Switzerland and Iceland, as well as SEM practice
Settlement permit after 5 years (see paragraph 6)
G EU/EFTA
EFTA Annex K Art. 7 Appendix 1 in conjunction with Art. 35 LEI/LStrI/FNIA
Cross-border permit (particularly relevant for cross-border commuters from Liechtenstein, see paragraph 4)
The requirements reflect the AFMP regime:
Employed persons: Proof of employment contract or self-employment, no quota-based permit required, no priority for nationals, no qualified worker filter as per Fedlex·Art. 23 AIG.
Non-working persons: Proof of sufficient financial means (in cantonal practice, typically based on the amount of supplementary benefits) and comprehensive health insurance.
Students: Proof of enrolment at a Swiss university or recognised educational institution, as well as proof of sufficient financial means and health insurance.
Family reunification takes place in accordance with AFMP Annex I, Art. 3 — also for the extended circle of persons (spouses, registered partners, descendants under 21 or dependent, relatives in the ascending line who are dependent; see point 8 for more details).
VERIFY — current practice 2026: The SEM topic page "Residence EU/EFTA" is continuously updated. Before using this information, please consult the current version of the SEM instructions for the foreign nationals sector (Chapter I, EU/EFTA section) — in particular regarding any special regulations for Norway or Iceland in connection with EWR-specific adjustments that are implemented into Swiss law via the Annex K structure.
3. Liechtenstein — the special case with two asymmetries
Liechtenstein is the smallest EFTA state in terms of population (just under 40,000 inhabitants) and also the one with the most complex immigration law. Three layers of agreements overlap:
First layer — Switzerland–Liechtenstein Settlement Agreement of 1874: The original settlement and trade agreement between Switzerland and the Principality of 6 July 1874 (contained in the historical collection) guaranteed both contracting parties mutual freedom of establishment and trade. It has largely been superseded in its original form by later agreements, but it forms the historical framework.
Second layer — Customs Agreement of 1923 and the Agreements on the Free Movement of Persons: The Customs Agreement of 29 March 1923 (in force since 1924) integrates Liechtenstein into the Swiss customs area and establishes an economic, monetary and customs union that continues to function to this day. In parallel, various agreements — in particular in the following years and with later amendments — regulated the free movement of persons between the two states. This agreement is now the basis for the mutual residence practice. VERIFY exact ELI URIs and current version: The relevant SR numbers (in the range SR 0.142.115.x) are not always cited consistently in advisory practice; the consolidated Fedlex version should be consulted before productive use.
Third pillar — EFTA Agreement, Annex K (Vaduz 2001/2002): In the modern treaty framework, Annex K of the revised EFTA Agreement governs the free movement of persons between all four EFTA members, including Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Annex K formally adopts the AFMP structure.
The asymmetry: While Annex K establishes a symmetrical agreement on the free movement of persons de lege, Liechtenstein has negotiated a special international law solution for the EEA free movement of persons, which is referred to as the "Liechtenstein special arrangement" (also: "FL quota system"). This special arrangement allows Liechtenstein to limit immigration from EEA and EFTA states — including Switzerland — by means of its own annual immigration quotas. The background to this is the by far highest proportion of foreign nationals in Europe (around a third of the resident population, about half of whom are cross-border commuters) and the structural need to maintain the demographic balance of a small state.
Practical implications for Swiss citizens: A Swiss citizen who wishes to reside in Liechtenstein must apply for an FL residence permit, which is subject to an immigration quota. Unlike the situation under the FZA principle of equal treatment for nationals within the EU, they do not have an automatic right to reside in the Principality. The allocation is partly based on a lottery and partly on permits that are granted subject to certain conditions, such as employment or family reunification.
Reverse direction — from Liechtenstein to Switzerland: Nationals of Liechtenstein are fully subject to the EFTA Annex K Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons when entering Switzerland. In Switzerland, they receive a B EU/EFTA, L EU/EFTA, G EU/EFTA or C EU/EFTA permit under the same conditions as EU citizens. The Swiss side does not have a Liechtenstein quota.
This asymmetrical structure is the key characteristic of the Liechtenstein special case, in comparison with Norway and Iceland (full symmetry).
4. Cross-border commuters: FL → CH — G EU/EFTA and the St. Gallen Cluster
A numerically small, but regionally concentrated group of people are the Liechtenstein cross-border commuters working in Switzerland, specifically in the Canton of St. Gallen (Rheintal, Werdenberg, Sarganserland) and in the adjacent districts of the Canton of Graubünden. These people receive a G EU/EFTA cross-border permit in accordance with Art. 7 Annex K, Appendix 1 in conjunction with Fedlex·Art. 35 AIG and Art. 39 OASA.
Requirements for the G EU/EFTA permit for citizens of Liechtenstein correspond to the AFMP standards for EU citizens:
Residence in Liechtenstein (automatically fulfilled under the "border zone" concept due to geographical proximity; the previous requirement of daily return has been relaxed by the FZA, and weekly return is sufficient).
Gainful employment in Switzerland (employed or self-employed).
No ban under Fedlex·Art. 35 AIG (in the rare cases of serious criminal offences).
The number of cross-border commuters from Liechtenstein to Switzerland is low compared to commuters from Germany, France or Italy. In recent years, it has typically been in the low four-digit range (the literature often mentions an order of magnitude of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Liechtenstein → Switzerland commuters; VERIFY with BFS statistics on the foreign resident population or SEM statistics on cross-border commuters for the exact value for the reference date 2026).
Practical relevance: The significant economic interdependence between the Principality of Liechtenstein’s industrial sector (Hilti, Hilcona, ThyssenKrupp Presta and others) and the St. Gallen Rhine Valley makes cross-border commuting between Liechtenstein and Switzerland a common occurrence, without causing major immigration-related issues. The detailed regulations for the G cross-border permit can be found in permits/permit_g_frontalier.md.
5. Swiss nationals → Liechtenstein — Commuting and residence rules under the FL quota
Similarly, Swiss nationals commute to work in Liechtenstein. The number is significantly higher than the FL → CH direction: approximately half of the people employed in Liechtenstein are cross-border commuters, and Switzerland accounts for the second largest country of origin among these, after Austria (Vorarlberg). The figures can be verified with the Liechtenstein Office for Statistics or in the Liechtenstein Employment Statistics Report.
For Swiss nationals working in Liechtenstein with residence in Switzerland (i.e. Swiss nationals with Swiss residence who commute to Liechtenstein as cross-border workers): A simplified cross-border worker regime applies based on the Switzerland-Liechtenstein Bilateral Agreement and the EFTA Annex K logic. A Liechtenstein cross-border worker permit must be applied for in accordance with Liechtenstein law, but it is not subject to the Liechtenstein residence quotas (cross-border workers do not live in the Principality).
For the purpose of establishing Swiss residence in Liechtenstein (i.e. moving one’s centre of interests to the Principality): The FL immigration quota applies. A Swiss national who wishes to take up residence in Vaduz, Schaan or one of the other FL municipalities must:
either obtain a conditional residence permit as part of an employment, which in turn is subject to a quota restriction;
or participate in the allocation procedure (FL allocation), which allocates a portion of the annual residence permits using a lottery system;
or invoke a recognised ground for family reunification (spouse of a Swiss national, child of a Swiss national, etc.), although restrictions also apply here.
Important Anti-Scope Clarification: SwissImmigrationPro does not offer strategic advice on the Liechtenstein immigration system. Swiss citizens who wish to take up residence in Liechtenstein should contact the Foreign Nationals and Passport Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein (APA) in Vaduz or a legal representative authorised under Liechtenstein immigration law. The information provided here is intended solely to provide context within the overall Swiss immigration landscape.
VERIFY — current FL quotas 2026: The annual maximum immigration figures are determined in Vaduz and are specified in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (PFZV-FL) and in annual implementing regulations. The exact quota figures for 2026 must be checked before any practical use.
6. Residence and Settlement — the C permit pathway for nationals of NO/IS and the special case for FL nationals
The issue of long-term residence and settlement permits differs between the three states.
Norway and Iceland — five-year C permit pathway analogous to FZA: Nationals of Norway and Iceland benefit in Switzerland from the C EU/EFTA settlement permit after 5 years of uninterrupted lawful residence. The legal basis is based on two axes: firstly, the historical bilateral settlement agreements between Switzerland and Norway and Switzerland and Iceland (in Swiss practice, listed in Annex to the SEM Instructions on Foreign Nationals as "Five-Year Treaty States" — see also bilaterals/bi_us_1850_settlement_treaty.md paragraph 5 for the analogous list); secondly, the SEM practice, which, for nationals of EU/EFTA states, provides for the earliest possible granting of the C permit after 5 years, taking into account the integration criteria under Art. 60 of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. The integration criteria under Art. 58a of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (oral language proficiency B1 / written language proficiency A1 according to Art. 60a of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, economic independence, respect for the legal system) must be met.
Liechtenstein — combined regime: In principle, the same five-year path to a C settlement permit applies to nationals of Liechtenstein in Switzerland as to nationals of Norway and Iceland, as Liechtenstein also belongs to the traditional group of five-year agreement states (Settlement Agreement of 1874 and subsequent agreements). In Swiss practice in 2026, nationals of Liechtenstein will be granted a C EU/EFTA permit after five years of lawful residence under the same conditions as EU citizens.
Conversely — Swiss nationals in Liechtenstein: Here, Liechtenstein immigration law provides for its own sequence of stages, with the Liechtenstein settlement permit (often only granted after longer periods of residence and taking into account integration criteria). Liechtenstein practice is not directly comparable to the Swiss B/C system; it follows its own Liechtenstein immigration legislation. VERIFY with the APA Vaduz for the specific Liechtenstein settlement practice in 2026.
7. Language and Integration — three language profiles with varying degrees of suitability for Switzerland
The integration requirement for the C permit, as well as for subsequent naturalisation, requires, according to Art. 58a para. 1 lit. c AIG and Fedlex·Art. 60a VZAE, knowledge of one of the Swiss national languages (German, French, Italian or – to a limited extent – Romansh).
Norway: The official languages Bokmål and Nynorsk are not among the Swiss official languages. Norwegian nationals must demonstrate level B1 orally / A1 in writing in a Swiss official language for the C permit after 5 years – typically German in German-speaking Switzerland, French in French-speaking Switzerland, and Italian in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Norwegian and German are both Germanic languages, which makes learning German easier for many Norwegian migrants, but the legal requirement remains proficiency in a Swiss official language, not in the language of origin.
Iceland: Icelandic is an Old Norse language, a Germanic language that has been preserved in its sound system, and it is also not one of the official languages of Switzerland. Icelandic nationals are subject to the same language requirements as Norwegian nationals.
Liechtenstein: The Principality is German-speaking (with its own Alemannic variant, which is related to the Vorarlberg and St. Gallen dialects). Citizens of Liechtenstein are generally native speakers or highly proficient in German and meet the Swiss language requirements for the C permit and naturalisation immediately. In practice, this is often a significant advantage compared to citizens of Norway or Iceland.
The detailed requirements for language certification (recognised tests such as fide, telc, Goethe, DELF, CELI; equivalent proof in accordance with Art. 77d para. 1 lit. d VZAE) are systematically set out in life-events/le_language_certification.md.
8. Family reunification — logic applicable to all FZA cases, as per Annex K
For Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, family reunification is governed by the extended rules of EFTA Annex K, Appendix 1, Article 3, which is substantially similar to AFMP Annex I, Article 3. The group of persons eligible for reunification is considerably broader than under the third-country rules of Articles 43-44 LEI/LStrI/FNIA:
eligible for family reunification, regardless of nationality
Children under 21 years of age
eligible for family reunification, regardless of economic independence
Adult children who are entitled to maintenance
eligible for family reunification if maintenance is proven
Relatives in the ascending line (parents, grandparents)
eligible for family reunification if they are entitled to maintenance
Third-country national family members
derived right of residence, regardless of previous history in the EFTA area
Essential requirements are the equivalent AFMP criteria:
Suitable accommodation where the whole family can live.
Health insurance obligation for all family members.
No reliance on social welfare (as specified in the practice of Annex K to the EFTA Agreement through the continued status of the applicant as an employed or self-employed person).
No grounds for revocation due to a violation of public order or safety.
Practical implication: The family reunification rules are considerably more generous for NO, IS and FL families than for third-country nationals from the USA, the UK (post-Brexit), Canada or Australia. The language requirement of A1 at the initial grant (Fedlex·Art. 73a VZAE) applies to third-country family reunification, not to FZA/EFTA Annex K family reunification – EFTA family reunification is exempt from language requirements at the initial grant.
9. Naturalisation — Standard requirements without EFTA privileges
The EFTA Agreement and the bilateral Switzerland–Norway, Switzerland–Iceland and Switzerland–Liechtenstein Agreements do not govern Swiss citizenship. Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals must complete the full ordinary naturalisation procedure under the SCA (SR 141.0) in order to be naturalised as Swiss citizens.
Standard requirements (Art. 9, 11, 12 SCA; further specified in the SCA Ordinance and in cantonal/municipal law):
Federal residence requirement: 10 years of lawful residence, including 3 years in the 5 years preceding the application. Years between the ages of 8 and 18 count double (minimum of 6 actual years).
C settlement permit as a prerequisite for the application.
Successful integration as defined in Art. 11 lit. a SCA, as further specified in Art. 12 SCA (values of the Swiss Constitution, language skills: B1 oral + A2 written as per Art. 6 SCA, participation in economic or educational life, family integration).
Familiarity with Swiss conditions (Art. 11 lit. b SCA; cantonal knowledge tests in some cantons).
No receipt of social welfare benefits in the last 3 years.
Cantonal and municipal residence requirements, as well as naturalisation interviews, in addition.
Facilitated naturalisation (Art. 21 SCA) for spouses of Swiss nationals is possible after 5 years of residence in Switzerland + 3 years of marriage (if residing abroad, after 6 years of marriage and close ties to Switzerland). This facilitation is not specific to EFTA countries – it applies regardless of the foreign nationality.
Practical difference compared to third-country nationals: There is none – the naturalisation process is citizenship-neutral. The EFTA advantage materialises solely in the faster granting of the C settlement permit (year 5 instead of year 10), which in turn is a prerequisite for submitting the naturalisation application; in the naturalisation process itself, NO/IS/FL citizens do not enjoy any special procedure. A systematic presentation can be found in framework/fw_bug_2018_glossary.md and permits/permit_naturalisation_paths.md.
Liechtenstein naturalisation: a separate matter: The Principality has its own highly restrictive naturalisation regime, which traditionally requires the approval of the Landtag or, in certain cases, a referendum in the municipality of residence. A Swiss citizen who lives in Liechtenstein and wishes to acquire Liechtenstein citizenship undergoes a separate procedure under the Liechtenstein Citizenship Act. Anti-Scope: SwissImmigrationPro does not deal with Liechtenstein citizenship as a matter of substance – those seeking advice should be referred to Liechtenstein legal services.
10. EFTA compared to AFMP — Differences and Similarities
In legal practice, the question often arises as to what the material difference is between the EFTA Annex K regime and the AFMP regime. The short answer is: not in substance, but in the contractual form.
Aspect
AFMP (Switzerland–EU)
EFTA Annex K (Switzerland–NO/IS/LI)
Contracting parties
Switzerland and EU (and EU member states)
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
Permit types
B/C/L/G EU/EFTA
B/C/L/G EU/EFTA (identical letter categories)
Family reunification
Annex I Art. 3 (broad)
Annex K Appendix 1 Art. 3 (analogous, broad)
Coordination of social security
EU Regulation 883/2004, 987/2009 (adopted by the AFMP)
analogous adoption by Annex K
Recognition of professional qualifications
EU Directive 2005/36/EC
analogous adoption by Annex K
Priority for nationals
From a material law perspective, there is therefore no discernible difference for NO/IS/FL nationals residing in Switzerland compared to the situation of a German, Italian or French migrant. The two asymmetries relate exclusively to:
the number of people affected (NO/IS/FL combined is significantly smaller than the EU migrant groups) and
the reverse direction in the case of FL (Switzerland → Liechtenstein, subject to quotas, unlike EU member states under the AFMP, where the direction is reversed).
11. Dual Nationality: Switzerland – NO/IS/FL
Switzerland allows dual citizenship without restriction (Art. 11 SCA in conjunction with the principle, applicable since 1992, that multiple nationalities are permissible). A Swiss woman who also acquires Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein citizenship – or vice versa – does not have to give up her Swiss citizenship.
The opposing party is more heterogeneous:
Norway: Norway only fully recognised dual nationality on 1 January 2020. Previously, a general restriction applied, with exceptions (in particular, in cases of acquisition through birth to parents of different nationalities). Under current law, dual nationality between Switzerland and Norway is possible without any problems. VERIFY the treatment of old cases that arose under the old law.
Iceland: Iceland allows dual nationality without restriction in principle, following the reform of the Icelandic Citizenship Act of 2003. Multiple nationality between Switzerland and Iceland is possible.
Liechtenstein: The Principality generally permits dual citizenship (Liechtenstein + Switzerland) with restrictions; in particular, the traditional requirement for the renunciation of foreign nationality applies to naturalisation in Liechtenstein, with exceptions for certain situations (acquisition by birthright, acquisition through marriage under certain conditions). VERIFY with the Liechtenstein Office for Foreign Nationals and Passports for current practice in 2026.
Practical implications for legal advice: Swiss nationals with roots in NO, IS or FL (or the reverse) should consult the relevant citizenship authorities of their country of origin regarding the retention of their foreign nationality before any formal legal proceedings are initiated. SwissImmigrationPro deals exclusively with the Swiss side of the matter.
12. Cross-references in tax and social security law — Anti-Scope, brief overview
The EFTA Annex K framework governs the free movement of persons, not tax matters. The tax relations between Switzerland and Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein are governed by separate double taxation agreements:
DBA Switzerland–Norway: Check the SR entry, the current version has been in force since 1987 and includes various protocols.
DBA Switzerland–Iceland: more recent version with protocols.
DBA Switzerland–Liechtenstein: Check the SR entry; specific features arise from the 1923 Customs Agreement and the joint VAT practice. Liechtenstein is a contracting state of the Swiss VAT area under the Customs Agreement.
Anti-Scope: SIP is not tax advice and not social security advice. For questions specific to double taxation agreements, withholding tax scenarios, the treatment of pension withdrawals upon departure, or Pillar 2 treatment within the EFTA area, specialist advice should be sought.
13. Anti-Scope and Related SIP Contributions
What this page is not:
No FL quota strategy: A Swiss national applying for an FL residence permit will not receive any guidance from SIP regarding the lottery principle for participation, the quota-based allocation for employment, or the FL family reunification process. The point of contact is the Foreign Nationals and Passport Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein (APA) in Vaduz, or a legal representative approved in Liechtenstein.
No advice on FL naturalisation: The FL citizenship (in particular, the possible involvement of the Landtag or a local referendum) is not covered by this page.
No tax and pension advice: The Double Taxation Agreements between Switzerland and Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein are complex and specialised areas. Issues relating to emigration, inheritance and pensions require separate expert advice.
No eligibility forecast: Whether a specific non-EU/non-EFTA national will be granted a C EU/EFTA residence permit after 5 years depends on the integration assessment carried out by the competent cantonal authority. SIP does not provide success forecasts.
No Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein immigration law: This page deals exclusively with Swiss immigration law and the status of NO/IS/FL nationals in Switzerland.
Cross-references:
framework/fw_fza_vfp_glossary.md — AFMP and the free movement of persons (reference architecture for EFTA Annex K).
framework/fw_aig_vzae_glossary.md — AIG and OASA terminology (subsidiary legal basis when the EFTA regime does not apply).
framework/fw_bug_2018_glossary.md — Swiss Citizenship Act (Naturalisation, applies to NO/IS/FL in the same way as to other third-country nationals from a migration law perspective).
permits/permit_b_resident.md — B residence permit (EU/EFTA section).
permits/permit_c_settled.md — C settlement permit (5-year route for EU/EFTA nationals).
permits/permit_g_frontalier.md — G cross-border permit (FL → CH cross-border commuters).
permits/permit_l_short_stay_subclasses.md — L short-term permit.
permits/permit_naturalisation_paths.md — ordinary and facilitated naturalisation.
bilaterals/bi_us_1850_settlement_treaty.md — US Treaty of 1850 (classic bilateral privilege, comparable case outside the AFMP/EFTA).
bilaterals/bi_uk_post_brexit_citizens_rights.md — UK Citizens' Rights Agreement (Comparison: EFTA member UK was never; CRA provides protection for pre-Brexit residents).
life-events/le_language_certification.md — Language certification for C residence permit and naturalisation.
Sources and further reading
EFTA Convention (Stockholm Convention of 1960, as amended by the Vaduz Convention of 21 June 2001), SR 0.632.31; Annex K, Appendix 1 concerning the free movement of persons (in force since 1 June 2002). Exact ELI URIs must be verified before productive use.
FZA Switzerland–EU, SR 0.142.112.681 — reference architecture for EFTA Annex K.
FNIA, SR 142.20 — subsidiary national legal basis.
VZAE, SR 142.201 — Implementing Ordinance.
SCA, SR 141.0 — Swiss Citizenship Act.
Customs Agreement between Switzerland and Liechtenstein of 29 March 1923, SR 0.631.112.514 — basis of the economic, monetary and customs union (collection point; exact ELI-URI to be verified).
Switzerland–Liechtenstein Agreement on the Settlement of Nationals of 6 July 1874, and subsequent agreements on the free movement of persons — historical basis; exact SR numbers and consolidated version to be verified before productive use.
Foreign Nationals and Passport Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein (APA) — https://www.llv.li/de/landesverwaltung/auslaender-und-passamt — responsible for Liechtenstein immigration quotas, Liechtenstein allocation procedures, and Liechtenstein residence regulations.
Special rules for Liechtenstein under the EEA — Liechtenstein law on the free movement of persons in the context of the EEA (PFZV-FL and subsequent ordinances).
Federal Office of Statistics (FSO) — statistics on foreign nationals and cross-border commuters, providing quantitative data on the number of commuters between Switzerland and other countries.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
