This is one of the questions we get asked most often in the group, especially when someone has been here for a year or two and starts thinking about their long-term future. The answer is that it is possible with a B permit as a European citizen, but there are conditions that you should understand fully before starting the process.
The basis for this is the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU: it entitles you to bring your spouse or registered partner and any children under the age of 21. For children over the age of 21, you must prove that they are financially dependent on you. So far, it all seems straightforward. The point where most people run into difficulties is accommodation: the canton must verify that the flat where the family is to live is of sufficient size in square metres. A flat that is suitable for a single person may be rejected when it comes to accommodating two people or a family. There is no fixed rule, but there are guidelines, and the authorities apply them.
The second point that many people don’t anticipate: if the children are teenagers, school integration comes into the equation. There is no legal age limit, but applications involving children aged 14 or 15 have less leeway because the Swiss school system is difficult to integrate into at that age, and the authorities are aware of this. Submitting the application early gives you more room for manoeuvre.
The procedure is handled at cantonal level: you must submit your application to the Population or Migration Service in your canton, along with documentation relating to your family member, proof of financial means and proof of accommodation. Processing times vary considerably, ranging from six weeks to six months depending on the canton. And here’s a tip worth bearing in mind: don’t wait until your family member is already here on a tourist visa before submitting the application. This unnecessarily complicates the process, as it combines two situations that the authorities prefer to deal with separately.