Practising law in Switzerland as a foreign lawyer

A route exists, with conditionsLimited home-law practice is possible

Swiss lawyers are registered by canton, under a federal act that lets a lawyer registered in one canton practise across the country. EU and EFTA lawyers have a special route into the cantonal registers. Other foreign lawyers normally use the ordinary route, which depends on the canton.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

Lawyers from EU and EFTA states

For: Lawyers who hold a title in an EU or EFTA state.

Register in the cantonal list of EU and EFTA lawyers to practise under your home title.
To be entered in the ordinary cantonal register, either pass the aptitude test for EU and EFTA lawyers, or show at least three years of practice under your home title with experience in Swiss law and pass an interview with the cantonal authority.

These rules come from the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers. Details are applied by each canton.

Other foreign lawyers

For: Lawyers qualified outside the EU and EFTA.

Ask the canton where you plan to practise whether your foreign law degree is accepted. The cantons set the details.
Complete the practical training (the Anwaltspraktikum), the length of which differs by canton.
Pass the cantonal bar examination and apply to be entered in the cantonal register of lawyers.

We could not confirm from official texts how cantons treat foreign degrees, so ask the cantonal bar authority first.

Practising only your home-country law

EU and EFTA lawyers can practise under their home title in Switzerland. For lawyers from other countries we could not find a clear federal rule, so ask the cantonal authority.

Where you come from matters

From the EU or EFTA. You have a defined route into the cantonal register, with a choice between a test and a three-year practice route.

Understand the legal system first

Switzerland belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Switzerland legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Switzerland with another country →

Official sources

TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.