If you are expecting a baby in Switzerland, you may already be considering hiring a maternity nurse, newborn care specialist, or nanny to support you during the first weeks or months after birth
I’m Nadine, the founder of My Maternity Concierge. One of the most common questions I receive from international families relocating from London, Dubai, Hong Kong, or Singapore is:
“Can we hire a British maternity nurse or nanny to come
to Switzerland for a few weeks or months?”
The honest answer is: it depends, but in many cases it is not legally possible.
There is still a lot of confusion, and unfortunately some families are advised by UK or international agencies that a British maternity nurse can simply enter Switzerland “on holiday” and work informally for a short period. In practice, that approach can create serious legal and financial risk for both the family and the childcare professional.
In this article, I explain:
- What changed after Brexit for British nationals in Switzerland
- Whether a UK maternity nurse or nanny can legally work in Switzerland short-term
- Why some overseas agencies still recommend “tourist” arrangements
- The financial incentives behind these offers
- The legal risks, including potential fines and immigration consequences
- When British childcare professionals can work legally in Switzerland
Why British maternity nurses are so popular internationally
British maternity nurses and newborn care specialists are widely respected, and many have extensive experience with:
- Newborn feeding support and safe bottle preparation
- Establishing sleep routines and settling strategies
- Supporting families with twins or premature babies
- Postnatal recovery support and practical household guidance
- Overnight newborn care
For many families used to the London childcare market, hiring a maternity nurse for 4–16 weeks postpartum feels like a standard, sensible choice.
The challenge is that Swiss immigration and employment rules work very differently, especially since Brexit.
How Brexit changed work rights in Switzerland for British nationals
Before 1 January 2021, British citizens benefited from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU. This made it far easier to:
- Move to Switzerland
- Accept employment
- Work in domestic roles, including nanny and maternity nurse positions
Since Brexit, British citizens are generally treated as third-country nationals under Swiss immigration law, similar to citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, or South Africa.
In Switzerland, work permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals are typically reserved for people who are considered:
- Highly qualified professionals
- Specialists, managers, or executives
- In roles that meet Switzerland’s economic interest criteria
Domestic roles such as nannies, maternity nurses, and household staff usually do not meet those criteria, which makes obtaining a work permit very difficult and often not possible.
Can a Swiss family sponsor a British nanny or maternity nurse?
In most cases, no.
To employ a non-EU/EFTA national, Swiss employers generally must prove:
- The candidate has specialised qualifications.
- No suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate is available.
- The role meets strict salary and employment requirements.
This framework is designed mainly for sectors like engineering, finance, medicine, research, and technology, not private domestic employment.
So, in practical terms, a Swiss family usually cannot obtain a work permit for a British nanny or maternity nurse who does not already have legal work rights in Switzerland.
Why some overseas agencies still send candidates “on holiday”
Despite the legal restrictions, some agencies still suggest that a UK maternity nurse can enter Switzerland as a tourist and provide paid childcare support “informally” for a few weeks.
This is often described as:
- Visiting “on holiday”
- Helping the family casually
- Staying short-term after the birth
However, under Swiss rules, tourist status does not allow employment.
If a nanny or maternity nurse provides childcare services in exchange for payment while visiting as a tourist, Swiss authorities may treat this as unauthorised employment.
The financial incentive: why UK candidates can appear cheaper
One reason these arrangements continue is cost.
Many families notice that UK-based maternity nurses may quote lower rates than professionals working legally within Switzerland.
It is important to understand why that price difference often exists.
Professionals working legally in Switzerland generally need to account for:
- Swiss tax obligations
- AHV/AVS social security contributions
- Insurance requirements, including accident coverage
- Higher cost of living
- Legal employment structures and compliance
When someone enters Switzerland without work authorisation, these legal obligations are often not part of the arrangement. That can make the service appear more affordable, but it can also shift risk onto the family.
The legal risks of hiring someone without a Swiss work permit
Even when an arrangement feels “informal”, it can still legally count as employment.
1) Fines and penalties
Swiss authorities can impose fines for unauthorised employment. These may apply to:
- The employer (the family)
- The worker (the nanny or maternity nurse)
2) Immigration consequences
If authorities determine that someone worked illegally, consequences can include:
- Entry bans
- Future visa restrictions
- Difficulty entering Switzerland later, even for genuine tourism
3) Insurance and liability issues
Families can also face complications related to:
- Household insurance coverage
- Accident insurance
- Employer liability in the event of injury or disputes
When British nannies can work legally in Switzerland
Brexit has created tighter rules, but there are still scenarios where a British childcare professional can legally work in Switzerland.
1) The nanny already lives in Switzerland and has work authorisation
A British nanny who already holds a Swiss residence permit with the right to work can be employed legally. Examples may include someone who:
- Is married to a Swiss or EU/EFTA citizen
- Holds a Swiss B permit with work rights
- Holds a Swiss C permit (permanent residence)
- Lived in Switzerland before Brexit and retained relevant rights
2) The nanny has EU/EFTA citizenship (dual nationality)
Some British childcare professionals hold dual nationality, including an EU passport (for example Irish citizenship). If someone holds an EU/EFTA passport, they can generally work in Switzerland under free movement rules.
3) The family relocates with an existing employee (rare cases)
In limited situations, a family relocating internationally may be able to bring a long-standing domestic employee. This typically requires:
- Evidence of an established employment relationship abroad
- Documentation showing prior employment
- Approval from Swiss immigration authorities
These cases are uncommon and are often linked to executive relocations or diplomatic contexts.
Why working with local, authorised professionals is usually the safest option
Because of these immigration restrictions, many international families ultimately choose to work with professionals who already have legal work rights in Switzerland, such as:
- Swiss childcare professionals
- EU/EFTA nationals living in Switzerland
- UK nationals who already reside in Switzerland with work authorisation
This approach helps ensure compliance and reduces the risk of immigration, insurance, and employment complications.
How My Maternity Concierge supports families in Switzerland
At My Maternity Concierge, I support international families across Switzerland throughout pregnancy and the newborn period.
My services include:
- Personalised newborn care guidance
- Baby product recommendations suitable for Switzerland
- Postpartum recovery planning
- Guidance on childcare options and what is legally possible
- Referrals to trusted professionals with the correct legal status
My goal is to help you access high-quality, professional newborn support while ensuring everything is handled safely, ethically, and in line with Swiss regulations.
Final thoughts
British maternity nurses and newborn care specialists remain highly respected worldwide. But since Brexit, working legally in Switzerland has become significantly more complicated for UK citizens.
If you are being advised that a maternity nurse can come to Switzerland “on holiday” and work temporarily, I strongly recommend pausing and seeking proper guidance first. What feels like a practical short-term solution can create long-term issues.
With the right support, you can still find excellent newborn care in Switzerland and feel confident that everything is set up professionally and legally.
Sources (official guidance)
- Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): https://www.sem.admin.ch/
- SEM: Brexit and UK Citizens in Switzerland: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/arbeit/uk.html
- Swiss Confederation: Working in Switzerland: https://www.ch.ch/en/work/working-in-switzerland/
- UK Government: Living in Switzerland after Brexit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-switzerland
