Your residence permit after divorce
With a C permit or Swiss citizenship, divorce does not change your right to stay. With a B permit obtained through marriage, you need to check your situation before you divorce.
The 3-year rule
After the family unit ends, the foreign spouse of a Swiss citizen or C permit holder in principle keeps the right to a permit if the marriage lasted at least 3 years and they are well integrated (art. 50 LEI, Foreign Nationals and Integration Act).
Serious personal reasons
Even before 3 years, the permit can be renewed for serious personal reasons, in particular in cases of domestic violence or if returning to and reintegrating in the country of origin would be very difficult. Protection for victims of violence was strengthened on 1 January 2025.
EU/EFTA citizens
If you work or have sufficient resources, you can generally obtain a permit in your own right under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons.
Our advice
Have your situation checked before you file for divorce: it is one of the points covered by our file check. If there is a risk, our partner lawyer can advise you.
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