Moving to Switzerland from Singapore is a big change of rhythm. Singapore is compact, fast and centrally run. Switzerland is small too, but it is organized by canton (state) and by commune (municipality), so many rules and forms depend on where you settle. The good news: the path is clear once you see the order of the steps.
This page walks you through that order. It explains what changes, what you can prepare from home, and where a specialist who looks at your own situation makes a difference.
The first question: which permit regime applies?
Switzerland has two admission regimes. Citizens of EU and EFTA countries come under the free movement agreement. Citizens of all other countries, called third states, come under the general foreigners law (source: SEM). That is the main fact to hold on to: the two regimes work very differently.
Singapore is not part of the EU or EFTA. A Singapore passport holder therefore falls under the third-state regime. In practice this usually means that an employer in Switzerland files the request, and the cantonal authority and then the federal level examine it.
Third-state admission is limited by yearly quotas. For 2026, the federal government set a ceiling of 8,500 qualified workers and specialists from third states, split into 4,500 B permits and 4,000 L permits (SEM). The cantons then share out their part. These numbers are a framework, not a promise for any one person. The authorities decide each file.
If you hold a second passport from an EU or EFTA country, the picture can change completely. It is worth checking this before anything else, and the permit finder gives you a first orientation in four questions.
What changes compared with life in Singapore
| Topic | Singapore | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Own national system | Canton and federal level together |
| Health cover | Set by national schemes | Individual basic insurance, compulsory |
| Housing | Many people buy or rent in managed blocks | Most residents rent, usually through an agency |
| Administration | Mostly one national portal | Commune, canton and federal offices |
Health insurance
Switzerland has no single public health system. Instead, basic health insurance is compulsory for residents, and each person chooses an insurer and a model. Prices differ by canton, age and deductible. Plan to compare offers once you know your commune. The page on the deductible explains the main lever you control.
Housing
Rental housing is the norm. Landlords and agencies often ask for a full rental file, and the market in cities such as Zurich and Geneva is tight. A file that is ready before you land makes a real difference. The rental file check takes two minutes.
Administration
You register at your commune after arriving. The commune is also where many practical questions end up: residence registration, local services, schools. The canton's migration office handles the permit side. Learning the vocabulary early, such as Gemeinde (commune) or Kanton, saves confusion later.
The steps in order
Here is the sequence that works for most families who arrive from Singapore.
1. Clarify the route
Most people come with a job offer. If you have one, read the page for people who hold a Swiss job offer. If you are moving with an employer's help, the employee relocation overview shows what a company can organize. For questions about permits in general, see immigration support.
2. Build your timeline
Work backwards from your start date. The relocation calendar lays out the steps in order, and the personal checklist builder lets you tailor them.
3. Pick the right place
Zurich, Zug, Geneva, Basel and Lucerne feel quite different. Language, commute, school offer and rent vary a lot. Use the city comparator to look at them side by side. If you are leaning towards the German-speaking center, see relocation help in Zurich or relocation help in Lucerne.
4. Prepare your documents at home
- Valid passports for every family member
- Birth and marriage certificates, with official translations if requested
- Employment contract or job offer
- Proof of income for the rental file
- School reports for children
- Vaccination records and a copy of medical history
Ask the authority or your future employer which documents need certification or an apostille. Requirements can differ by canton.
5. Look at schools early
An example: a family of four, two parents and two children aged six and eleven, is leaving Singapore for the Zurich area. The parents compare the local public school with an international school. They find that the public route is free of tuition but taught in German, while the international route keeps English but costs more and has waiting lists. The school choice tool helps you think through the options before you apply.
6. Arrive and register
After arrival, you register at your commune, take out basic health insurance, and open a bank account. The next days feel busy, but they follow a pattern. Each step opens the next.
Things people from Singapore often notice
Many newcomers say the pace feels calmer, with shops closing early on Sundays and quiet hours in apartment buildings. Rules on noise, recycling and laundry rooms are taken seriously. Public transport is excellent and punctual, which will feel familiar. Trains and trams connect almost everywhere.
Bringing pets requires planning. Read about moving with a dog, cat or ferret well before the date.
Regions also differ. People who move from other Asian hubs often share the same questions. You can compare with Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China or the UAE if your family has ties there. Saudi Arabia is covered on its own page: Saudi Arabia.
Taxes and money
Taxes are set by the federal level, the canton and the commune, so the amount changes from one place to another. A specialist can look at your own situation and explain what applies. The sensible time to ask is before you choose a commune, not after.
How the request works
If you would like to be put in touch with a relocation company that fits your needs, fill in the request at the bottom of the page. You describe your move and the match is made according to your needs. The request page explains more.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move from Singapore to Switzerland?
It depends on the purpose and length of stay. Admission for work or residence is handled under the third-state rules, and the cantonal migration office and the SEM decide. The permit finder gives a first idea.
Is Singapore an EU or EFTA country?
No. Singapore is a third state, so the third-state regime applies unless you also hold an EU or EFTA passport.
Can I move without a job offer?
Admission for third-state citizens is usually tied to qualifications and an employer's request. Other routes exist, such as family ties, and each is decided case by case.
How long does the permit process take?
It varies by canton and by file. The authority tells you the expected timing once it has your documents.
Are there limits on permits?
Yes. Third-state admission is subject to yearly quotas. For 2026, the ceiling for qualified workers and specialists is 8,500, made up of 4,500 B permits and 4,000 L permits (SEM).
What is the difference between B and L permits?
Permit B is a residence permit for longer stays. Permit L is for shorter stays. The authority decides which one fits the file.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Family members can usually join under family reunification rules, which depend on your own permit. The migration office explains the details.
Is health insurance compulsory?
Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for residents, and it is arranged individually after arrival. Offers differ by insurer, canton, age and deductible.
Will my Singapore health cover still work?
Cover from home usually does not replace Swiss basic insurance for residents. Ask your provider what it does after you leave.
Do I rent or buy?
Most new arrivals rent first. Foreign buyers face rules that depend on the permit and the canton, so renting is the common starting point.
Can my children attend public school?
Yes. Children living in a commune normally have a place in the local school, taught in the local language. International schools are an alternative.
Is English enough?
In business and in larger cities, often yes. For daily life, offices and schools, the local language helps a lot.
Can I bring my pet?
Pets can come with the right preparation. Read the page on pets early, because some steps take time.
Who decides on my permit?
The cantonal migration office and the SEM. No company can decide for them, and no outcome is assured.