If you are reading this from London, Chicago, Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore or Tokyo, you are probably juggling a long to-do list and a lot of unfamiliar words. Good news: the things to know before moving to Switzerland follow a clear order. Once you see the order, the list stops feeling heavy.
This page walks through twenty ideas that surprise most newcomers. They are not a full guide to each topic. Think of them as a map you can read in one sitting, with links to the detailed pages when you want to go deeper.
The first things: permits and rules
1. The permit comes first, and the authorities decide
Switzerland does not let you simply arrive and sort it out later. Your right to live there depends on a residence permit, and only the authorities grant it. No website, agent or employer can promise the outcome. What you can do is prepare a clean, complete file.
2. There are three broad kinds of permit
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) separates short-stay permits (under one year), annual permits (limited in time) and settlement permits (unlimited). Which one you receive depends on your situation, your nationality and your plans.
3. EU/EFTA and non-EU paths are different
For EU/EFTA citizens the permits are labeled L (short stay), B (resident) and C (settled). Citizens of other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Australia and most of Asia and the Gulf, follow stricter rules. If you are unsure which side you are on, the permit finder is a gentle first step.
4. A job offer often shapes everything
For many people, a Swiss employer or a transferred role starts the process. If that is you, read about moving with a Swiss job offer. If you plan to work for yourself, starting out on your own explains how that changes the picture.
5. Your family situation matters
A partner and children may follow you, but the route depends on your permit type. The pages on moving with children and moving on your own show how the same rules play out in different households.
6. Do not book the one-way flight too early
Example (fictional): a couple from Toronto sells their furniture before their permit is confirmed, then waits months in a rented room. The lesson is simple: line up your departure date with the permit decision, not the other way round.
Housing: the part that surprises people most
7. Renting is the normal path
Many Swiss residents rent for life. The housing market can feel tight, especially around the big cities, and landlords often choose between many applications. A tidy rental file helps. How to rent an apartment when you are new here explains the steps, and the rental file check shows what is missing.
8. Expect to prepare documents early
Landlords and agencies usually want proof of identity, proof of income and a debt record from the official register (Betreibungsregisterauszug). Newcomers from abroad often need extra time to gather these, so start before you leave.
9. Apartments may come with fewer fittings than you expect
In many Swiss rentals you may find no light fittings, or a shared laundry room with a booking schedule. Ask what is included. The details differ from one building to another.
10. The security deposit works differently
Tenants usually pay a deposit into a blocked account (Mietzinsdepot) rather than handing cash to the landlord. It stays yours, minus any valid claims, when the lease ends. Ask your landlord how it works for your lease.
Health insurance and money
11. Basic health insurance is compulsory
Everyone who is resident in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance (LAMal in French, KVG in German). The deadline is three months after you take up residence. If you meet it, cover is backdated to your arrival date, and the premiums are due from that date.
12. Missing the deadline costs you
If you are late, cover starts only when you sign up. A surcharge can apply if the delay has no valid excuse, and the canton can assign you to an insurer. It is a small task that is easy to forget in the first busy weeks, so put it on your list early.
13. Insurers compete, but the basic cover is standard
The scope of basic cover is set by law, so insurers differ mainly in price, deductible choice and service. A specialist can explain the options once they know your household. We do not give personal insurance advice on this page.
14. Taxes depend on where you live
Tax rules differ between cantons and communes, and your own situation changes the result. Instead of guessing from a forum post, ask a specialist to review your case when you send your request.
Arrival and daily life
15. You register with your commune soon after arrival
On arrival you announce yourself to your commune (Gemeinde, commune, comune). A common deadline is 14 days, though it can vary by commune or canton, so confirm it locally. Bring your identity document, your permit and proof of health insurance.
16. Switzerland has several language regions
Depending on where you land, people speak German, French, Italian or Romansh, and English is common in business but not universal. Learning a little of the local language makes forms, neighbors and shop counters friendlier.
17. School follows the canton
Education is organized by canton, so school start ages, school types and calendars differ. Example (fictional): a family from Singapore with two school-age children finds that a move from one region to another changes the school path. The school choice tool helps you compare school types.
18. Public transport is excellent, and the city you choose changes everything
Trains, trams and buses are reliable and connect most places. Housing cost, language and commute vary a lot between cities, so it is worth using the city comparator before deciding.
19. Rules and habits are part of everyday life
Quiet hours, recycling rules and building house rules are taken seriously. They are not meant to be unfriendly. They are how shared buildings stay pleasant. Read the house rules (Hausordnung) when you sign your lease.
20. You do not have to do it all alone
If the list still feels long, the three-month checklist gives a calm order, and the relocation calendar turns it into dates. When you are ready, the request at the bottom of this page lets you describe your move so a specialist can look at your case.
A simple way to start
- Write down your nationality, your family members and your reason for moving.
- Find out which permit route fits that picture.
- Begin gathering documents: identity, income proof and a record for the housing search.
- Pick two or three cities and compare them.
- Plan health insurance and registration for your first weeks.
- Confirm which permit route applies to your household
- Gather identity and income documents
- Start a rental file
- Shortlist cities
- Note the commune registration and insurance deadlines
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit before I move to Switzerland?
In most cases yes. Your right to live there depends on a residence permit, and the authorities decide whether to grant one. Prepare your documents before you travel.
Which permit types exist?
The SEM groups them into short-stay (under one year), annual (limited) and settlement (unlimited) permits. EU/EFTA citizens use the labels L, B and C.
Is the process the same for everyone?
No. EU/EFTA citizens and citizens of other countries follow different rules. The detail also depends on your reason for moving.
Can a relocation specialist guarantee my permit?
No. Only the authorities grant permits. A specialist can help you prepare a complete file and understand the process.
Do I need a job before I come?
For many people a job offer is the usual route, but it depends on your situation and nationality. A specialist can look at your case.
Can my family come with me?
Often yes, but the route depends on your permit type. See the page on moving with children for the general picture.
What should I do first?
Work out your permit route. Everything else, from housing to school, depends on it.
How do I find a home from abroad?
Prepare a rental file early and be ready to move quickly once you find a place. This guide walks through the steps.
What does a landlord usually ask for?
Proof of identity, proof of income and a record from the debt register are common. Requirements differ between landlords.
Is a rental deposit normal?
Yes. It is usually placed in a blocked account in your name. Ask your landlord how it works for your lease.
Do I have to buy health insurance?
Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for everyone resident in Switzerland.
When must I take out health insurance?
No later than three months after you take up residence. If you meet that deadline, cover is backdated to the date you arrived.
What if I am late with my insurance?
Cover starts at sign-up, a surcharge may apply if the delay is not excused, and the canton can assign an insurer.
When do I register with my commune?
A common deadline is 14 days after arrival, but it can vary by commune or canton. Check locally.
What do I bring to register?
Your identity document, your permit and proof of health insurance.
Will I be able to get by in English?
In many workplaces and cities, yes. In daily life and with the authorities you will often meet the local language, so learning some helps.
How do schools work?
They are organized by canton, so ages, school types and calendars differ. The school choice tool gives a first overview.
Is Switzerland easy to get around without a car?
Public transport is dense and reliable in most areas. A car may matter more in rural places.
Which city should I pick?
It depends on language, work, budget and family. Try the city comparator and read the myths page for common misunderstandings.
Will you tell me how much tax I will pay?
No. Tax depends on canton, commune and personal situation. A specialist can review your case.
Can you recommend a specific insurer?
No. We do not name companies. A specialist can explain how to compare options.
Where can I read more questions and answers?
Our questions page covers more topics, and the request at the bottom of this page lets you describe your own move.