Imagine a couple from Singapore who have found the perfect job offer in Switzerland. They open a map and see a small country with many names: Zurich, Geneva, Ticino, Vaud, Zug. Each of those is a canton (the Swiss word for a state-like region). A canton is not just a postal area. It has its own government, its own parliament, its own offices and its own laws in many fields of daily life.
This guide explains swiss cantons for newcomers in plain language. It shows what a canton decides, what the whole country decides together, and what can be prepared from home before the move.
Why Switzerland works this way
Switzerland is a federation. Power is shared between three levels: the Confederation (the federal level), the cantons, and the communes (called Gemeinde in German, commune in French, comune in Italian). Think of it as three layers of the same system.
- The Confederation sets the big framework: the main immigration laws, the compulsory health insurance law, foreign policy, the army.
- The cantons carry out much of that framework in practice, and they also make their own rules in areas such as schools, police, most local taxes and parts of the health system.
- The communes run daily life close to home: registering residents, local services, often the primary school, and the local share of taxes.
For a newcomer, the practical meaning is simple. Two families can both be moving to Switzerland, yet the forms, the offices, the school calendar and the tax return can look different because one family chose Basel and the other chose Vaud.
A quick map of languages
The cantons also differ in language. German, French and Italian are all national languages, and Romansh is spoken in parts of one canton. Knowing which language a canton uses helps with forms, school and daily errands. The map below shows a few examples; for the full picture of regions, see languages and regions.
Language is only a first clue. A canton that speaks German may still have international schools and English-speaking neighbors in its main city, while a smaller valley may work almost entirely in the local language.
What the canton decides for you
Here is the part that surprises most people from the United Kingdom, the United States, India or the Gulf, where one national office often handles one topic. In Switzerland the same topic is often split between levels.
Residence permits
The federal level sets the rules. Two regimes exist: one for nationals of EU and EFTA countries (under the free movement agreement) and one for nationals of third states, meaning countries outside the EU and EFTA. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) explains both regimes on its website. The detailed conditions for third-country nationals depend on the situation and are explained by the authorities.
In daily practice, the application is usually handled by the cantonal migration office of the place of residence, with the federal level involved in some cases. That is why a canton's website, forms and processing habits matter. To get an overview of the route that fits a given nationality and purpose, the permit finder asks four short questions, and the guide on who can live in Switzerland covers the basics.
Registering on arrival
After arrival, residents register with the commune of residence. Public guidance points to a deadline of 14 days, and the exact period can vary by commune or canton. On site, the commune usually asks for an identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. Exact lists differ, so the local commune website is the reference. Details of the arrival steps are in the relocation calendar.
Health insurance
The law on health insurance is federal, so the basic rules are the same across the country. Basic health insurance is compulsory for anyone domiciled in Switzerland, and it has to be taken out within three months of taking up residence. If that period is respected, cover is retroactive to the date of arrival. If it is exceeded, cover starts only on the date of affiliation, a surcharge may apply for an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority can assign an insurer. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) publishes the rules.
What differs by canton is the premium level and the premium region, which insurers use to price cover. The same person can be offered a different premium depending on the canton and even the commune. Cantons also decide on premium subsidies for households with lower income.
Taxes
Switzerland has federal, cantonal and communal taxes. The cantonal and communal parts differ widely, which is why newcomers often hear that "the canton changes everything". In practice there is no single answer valid for every household. The result depends on income type, family situation, residence permit and other factors. A specialist reviews the situation of a given household; this guide cannot judge which place suits whom. The request at the bottom of the page is the way to ask for that.
Schools
Education is mostly a cantonal matter. School start dates, the way children are placed in levels, the languages taught and the pre-school years are not identical across the country. Families with children should look at the school system of a canton, and then of the commune, before choosing where to live. The school choice tool gives a first picture of school types.
Housing and daily rules
Rental law is federal, but the market is local. Some cantons have tight markets and others are much easier. Habits such as recycling, quiet hours and building rules are set by communes and landlords. The lease guide and the page on recycling, quiet hours and neighbors explain the typical rules.
How the cantons compare at a glance
| Topic | Mostly federal | Mostly cantonal or communal |
|---|---|---|
| Residence permit rules | Yes, main laws | Application handled by the cantonal office |
| Health insurance obligation | Yes, one law for all | Premium level, subsidies |
| Income tax | A federal share | Cantonal and communal shares |
| Schools | Broad framework | Organization, calendar, languages |
| Arrival registration | Principle of the duty | Commune procedure and form |
| Housing rules | Rental law | Local market, house rules |
The order of steps when the canton is still open
Many newcomers have not chosen a canton yet when they start. A calm order helps.
If the job location is fixed, the canton is mostly decided for you, and the work is to understand local practice. If you have a choice, the city comparator puts cities next to each other, and Zurich is a good example of a full city guide.
Preparing from abroad
Whatever the canton, a few things can be prepared at home, long before the plane ticket.
- Collect identity documents and civil status papers (birth and marriage certificates), and check whether translations or an apostille are usually requested
- Gather the employment contract, study confirmation or other proof of purpose of stay
- Look at the website of the canton and the commune you are considering, in English if available
- Prepare a rental file, which many landlords ask for; the rental file check takes two minutes
- Note the dates for basic health insurance and arrival registration, then plan around them
- Read about school systems if children are coming, and about pets if animals are traveling; see moving with pets
- Build a personal list with the checklist builder
Families arriving from a specific country will find tailored pages, for example from the UAE, Japan, Singapore or Saudi Arabia. Students may prefer the student guide, and anyone unsure about a word can use the glossary.
Common mix-ups
"Switzerland has one set of rules." Many rules are federal, but their execution and many others are cantonal. This is the single most common surprise.
"A permit lets me live anywhere." A permit is linked to a canton of residence. Moving later to another canton involves its own procedure; that topic is covered in changing canton and is a matter for people already living in Switzerland.
"The biggest city is the only choice." Many newcomers also live in smaller towns with good train links. Culture and habits differ between regions, which is part of fitting in.
"Health insurance is the same price everywhere." The law is the same; the premium level is not.
Getting help
Cantonal differences are easy to read about and harder to apply. Relocation Swiss works as a connection service: after a request, the situation is looked at and a relocation company that matches the need is put in touch. Companies for people moving to specific places exist, for instance for Zurich and Lucerne, and general relocation services and immigration support are explained on their own pages. The request form is at the bottom of this page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a canton?
A canton is one of the member regions of the Swiss federation. Each has its own constitution, government, parliament and courts, and handles many tasks that other countries manage at the national level.
Why does the canton matter when moving to Switzerland?
Because the canton influences the office that handles the residence file, school rules, the cantonal part of taxes and health insurance premium regions. Two households can face different procedures even with similar profiles.
Is the permit decided by the canton or by the federal level?
Both play a part. The federal level sets the rules, and the cantonal migration office usually receives and handles the application at the place of residence. In some cases the federal level also takes part in the decision.
Are there different rules for EU/EFTA and third-state nationals?
Yes. Two regimes exist: nationals of EU and EFTA countries come under the free movement agreement, and nationals of other countries come under the third-state rules. The SEM page explains the framework.
Can the canton be chosen freely?
Often the job or study place settles it. When there is a choice, residents normally register where they live. Permit conditions can be tied to a particular canton, so the choice is made before the file is filed.
How soon does registration with the commune happen?
Public guidance mentions 14 days after arrival. The exact deadline can vary by commune or canton, so the local commune website is the reference.
What documents does the commune usually ask for?
Commonly an identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. The list can differ between communes, so checking the local page before departure saves time.
Is health insurance different in each canton?
The legal obligation is federal and the same everywhere. Premium levels and premium regions differ, and cantons decide on premium subsidies for eligible households.
When does health insurance have to begin?
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence. If the period is respected, cover applies from the arrival date; if it is exceeded, cover begins at affiliation and a surcharge can apply.
What happens if the deadline for insurance is missed?
Cover starts at the date of affiliation, a premium surcharge may apply for an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority can assign an insurer. The FOPH describes the rules.
Do taxes depend on the canton?
Yes. Switzerland has federal, cantonal and communal taxes, and the cantonal and communal parts differ. The outcome for a household depends on several factors, so a specialist looks at the specific situation.
Which canton is best?
There is no universal answer. It depends on work location, language, schools, housing, commuting and personal taste. A side-by-side view with the city comparator is a calm way to start.
Do schools differ between cantons?
Yes. Education is mainly cantonal, so calendars, school levels and languages of instruction can differ. Families often look at the commune level too.
Are international schools available in every canton?
Not everywhere. They are concentrated around larger cities and economic centers. The school choice tool gives a first overview of the types of schools.
Which language will be used by the offices?
The official language of the canton, which can be German, French, Italian, or two of them in bilingual cantons. Some offices help in English, but forms and letters often come in the local language.
Is renting easier in some cantons?
Rental law is federal, but local markets differ a lot. Some areas are tight and others are easier, so the search plan depends on the place.
Can I move to another canton later?
Yes, but it involves its own steps with the old and new commune and the cantonal authorities. That topic is covered on the page about changing canton.
Do cantons have different public holidays?
Yes, several holidays are decided by the canton, so calendars of offices, schools and shops can vary. Local calendars are worth a look when planning appointments.
How do I find the right cantonal office?
The portal ch.ch and the website of the canton list the offices and forms. The commune website is the starting point for registration.
How can Relocation Swiss help with the choice of canton?
After a request, the situation is reviewed and a relocation company that matches the need is put in touch. The service does not decide permits, which remain with the authorities.