How many Canadians moved to Switzerland in 2025?
Switzerland issued 1,289 first residence permits to Canadian citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 48 more than in 2024 (1,241), a change of +3.9%. By reason: education 503 (39.0%), work 471 (36.5%), family 279 (21.6%), other reasons 36 (2.8%). 584 of them (45.3%) were valid for 12 months or more.
Switzerland · Canadian citizens · 2025: 1,289 first residence permits
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
What this number is, and what it is not
- It is the number of Canadian citizens who received a residence permit in Switzerland for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
- It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
- It leaves out Canadians who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
- It is not the number of Canadians living in Switzerland, which is much larger.
Why Canadians moved to Switzerland in 2025: permits by reason
| Reason | 2025 | Share | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | 279 | 21.6% | 277 | +0.7% |
| Education | 503 | 39.0% | 515 | −2.3% |
| Work | 471 | 36.5% | 414 | +13.8% |
| Other | 36 | 2.8% | 35 | +2.9% |
| All reasons | 1,289 | 100% | 1,241 | +3.9% |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.
Canadians moving to Switzerland, year by year (2019–2025)
| Year | All reasons | Family | Education | Work | Other | Valid 12+ months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | – | 259 | 422 | – | 31 | – |
| 2020 | – | 242 | 313 | 306 | – | – |
| 2021 | 924 | 290 | 289 | 309 | 36 | 592 |
| 2022 | 1,184 | 281 | 462 | 402 | 39 | 618 |
| 2023 | 1,268 | 274 | 523 | 434 | 37 | 610 |
| 2024 | 1,241 | 277 | 515 | 414 | 35 | 570 |
| 2025 | 1,289 | 279 | 503 | 471 | 36 | 584 |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Questions people ask
How many Canadians moved to Switzerland in 2025?
1,289 Canadian citizens received a first residence permit in Switzerland in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 48 more than in 2024 (1,241), a change of +3.9%.
How many Canadians moved to Switzerland in 2024?
1,241 Canadian citizens received a first residence permit in Switzerland in 2024.
Why do Canadians move to Switzerland?
The most common reason in 2025 was education (503 permits). By reason: education 503 (39.0%), work 471 (36.5%), family 279 (21.6%), other reasons 36 (2.8%).
Is this the number of Canadians living in Switzerland?
No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.
Visas and statistics for Switzerland on this site
Where else Canadians moved in 2025
Who else moved to Switzerland in 2025
How many Canadians moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator