Most European physiotherapists need to stay listed in a national professional register to practise: BIG in the Netherlands, RIZIV in Belgium, HCPC in the UK, and similar systems elsewhere. These registers usually require you to re-register every few years and prove you're still active in the field.
If you move to Switzerland, the natural worry is whether your home registration stays valid. The good news: keeping or re-registering it is more doable than most physios think, as long as you plan a bit ahead.
How do you keep your home registration?
Most national registers ask you to meet one of two requirements over a five-year cycle:
- Work experience: a minimum number of practising hours (often around 2,000 hours over five years, which works out to roughly 35 hours a month). Working full-time for a year already gets you most of the way there.
- Continuing education: if you don't reach the hours, you can usually re-register by completing accredited courses or refresher training instead.
Check your specific register's exact requirements, since the totals and recognised activities vary slightly per country.
Counting your Swiss work experience
Hours worked in Switzerland count towards your home re-registration in most cases, as long as you meet a few conditions:
- Individual healthcare: your work falls within the regulated healthcare sector.
- Field and level: the activities match your professional area and qualification level.
- Local registration: you're properly registered in Switzerland, which means you've completed the SRK diploma recognition before starting work.
Documents to keep on file
When you re-register at home with foreign work experience, you'll need supporting evidence. Save the following from day one:
- Work contracts
- Payslips
- Job descriptions
- References or letters of recommendation
- Confirmation of your SRK diploma recognition
You may also need a Certificate of Good Standing (CCPS) from the SRK, which confirms you were authorised to work as a physio in Switzerland. The SRK issues these on request.
The bottom line
Keeping your home-country registration while working in Switzerland is very doable. Track your hours, save your paperwork, and check your register's specific rules every few years. With a bit of admin discipline, you can work in Switzerland without worrying about losing access to your home market later.
Questions about how this works for your specific situation? Get in touch and we'll think along.
