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French border workers can continue to work from home for Swiss employers

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French border workers can continue to work from home for Swiss employers
Many workers from France come into Switzerland through the Thonex-Vallard border. Photo by AFP

A new agreement between Switzerland and France allows cross-border commuters based in France but employed in Switzerland to continue working from home until the end of the year without having to change their tax status.

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Cross-border workers who work in Geneva normally pay their taxes and social security contributions in Switzerland. 

Under normal circumstances, they are allowed to spend no more than 25 percent of their time working from home. If they exceed this time limit, they would have to pay these tax charges tin France rather than in Switzerland, which would be much higher.

During the pandemic, this regulation was suspended to allow cross-border employees, like their counterparts in Switzerland, to work from home without having to change their tax status.

This rule was to be in force until August 31st.

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However, the regulation has now been extended until December 31st, the Federal Office of Social Insurance announced on Tuesday. 

READ MORE: How Switzerland's cross-border workers are growing in number 

In Switzerland, the employer and employee each contribute around 6 percent of the salary.

But in France, the employer can pay charges of up to 40 percent, and the employee up to 12 or even 15 percent.

The new deadline for France-based workers is now the same as for cross-border employees from Italy, Germany, and Austria. All can continue working from home full-time until December 31st without impacting their taxes or social security payments.

Over 125,000 commuters from France work is the area around Lake Geneva, which encompasses the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. 
 

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