Your Swiss Relocation Checklist

Check whether you need a visa to enter Switzerland.

Build a monthly budget based on your expected Swiss income and actual living situation.

Compare potential locations based on housing costs, language, commute, schools and childcare, public transport, healthcare access and taxes.

Prepare the documents and information commonly requested when applying for a rental property.

Whenever possible, view a property before committing to it.

Before signing, review the rent, ancillary costs, deposit, notice and termination terms, house rules and all conditions forming part of the lease.

Confirm what form of rental security your lease requires before paying.

Confirm who covers occupational and non-occupational accidents, and from which date.

Decide whether personal liability cover is appropriate and check any household-specific requirements.

Your insurer and cantonal authority

Before registering with your commune, check its current document requirements for your nationality, residence status and family situation.

Before applying, gather the documents your chosen bank is likely to request.

Register with your new commune promptly (generally within 14 days) and check whether your work route requires registration before starting work.

Follow only the additional residence-permit and biometric steps the responsible canton requires.

Store registration and permit records, and note your AHV/AVS number when it is issued.

Save the main Swiss emergency numbers and identify where to seek urgent medical care near your home.

After registering your address, update your employer, bank, insurers, pension provider, telecom providers and other important services.

Relevant institution or provider

At the move-in handover, inspect the apartment carefully and make sure all existing damage, defects and unusual wear are recorded in the handover protocol.

Choose an account that supports rent, bills and any salary payments you will need.

If you take up residence in Switzerland, you are generally required to obtain mandatory basic health insurance within three months.

Compare mandatory basic health insurance options based on your place of residence, deductible, insurance model and whether accident cover is required.

When taking out mandatory Swiss basic health insurance, confirm that the policy starts from the date your compulsory insurance obligation began.

Check the Swiss licence-exchange deadline if you hold a foreign driving licence.

Estimate your expected Swiss tax liability and set aside sufficient funds for taxes that are not already fully covered through tax at source or advance payments.

Learn how Swiss taxes are divided between the Confederation, canton and commune.

If your canton requires or sends you a tax return, note its filing deadline and extension procedure.

Your cantonal tax authority

Check the expiry date shown on your permit and find the renewal procedure used by your canton or municipality.

Check your nationality, residence status, work arrangements and intended duration.

EU/EFTA jobseekers should check the rules for remaining in Switzerland to find work.

Check the applicable procedure for each spouse, registered partner, child or other potentially eligible dependent.

Prepare the documents required for your Swiss work or residence procedure before the move.

If advance work authorisation is required, ask the employer to confirm the application and approval before travel or work.

Verify immigration permission and separate company, tax and professional requirements.

If your job relies on a qualification obtained abroad, check whether your profession is regulated in Switzerland and whether recognition is required.

Review your CV before applying for jobs in Switzerland.

When comparing a job offer, look beyond the base salary.

Familiarize yourself with the main rules affecting your employment, including probation, working hours, overtime, vacation, notice periods and salary arrangements.

Before moving, gather recent school reports or transcripts and any relevant information about your child’s language learning, educational support or special learning needs.

Learn about local schooling and arrange your child’s enrolment.

If your child is not yet fluent in the local school language, ask the school or local education authority what language support is available.

Research childcare options in your destination area as early as possible.

Create an up-to-date emergency contact list and organise the key documents your household may need quickly.

Check your eligibility for Swiss child or education allowances and how to apply.

Ask the competent office to assess the activity for social-insurance purposes.

Confirm which account and payment details your employer can use for salary.

Your employer or payroll team

Confirm whether tax will be deducted from your salary and whether you must take any additional action.