Deadlines after you arrive
Enter your arrival date: the tool works out the deadlines set by law.
Your deadlines
Choose an arrival date to see your deadlines.
- 16 January 2027 (Saturday, in 75 days)Arrival in Switzerlandstarting point of the deadlines below
- by 30 January 2027 (Saturday, in 89 days)Register with the communeLegal deadlinewithin 14 days, with an ID, a residence permit and proof of health insurance (communes and cantons)
- by 16 April 2027 (Friday, in 165 days)Basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG)Legal deadlineno later than 3 months after arrival; cover is backdated if you meet the deadline (FOPH)
- by 16 December 2027 (Thursday, in 409 days)Apply to exchange your driving licenceLegal deadlineno later than 1 month before the 12 months end (OAC/VZV, art. 42)
- by 16 January 2028 (Sunday, in 440 days)End of driving on the foreign licenceLegal deadlineafter 12 months, a Swiss licence is required (OAC/VZV, art. 42)
Assumptions and sources
Dates start on the day of arrival (taking up residence). The 14-day deadline can vary by commune: the commune confirms it. Driving licence: without a continuous stay of more than 3 months abroad during those 12 months. Sources: communes and cantons; FOPH (LAMal/KVG); OAC/VZV, art. 42.
Nothing is sent: the calculation runs in your browser.
What the calendar does
Moving to Switzerland comes with a few clocks that start on different days. Some begin when you arrive, others when you take up residence. The tool above takes one date, your arrival, and places those deadlines on a simple timeline.
Think of a couple arriving from Toronto with two school-age children. They enter one date and see, in order, what comes first and what can wait.
The deadlines it shows
Registration with the commune (the local town office) is due within 14 days of arrival. The exact practice can vary by commune and canton, so the tool treats it as a general rule (ch.ch). Staff usually ask for an ID, your residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence. If the deadline is met, cover reaches back to the residence date and premiums are due from then (FOPH).
A foreign driving license is generally valid for 12 months after you take up residence. An exchange application is due at the latest one month before that period ends (Canton of Zurich).
How to read the result
- Dates are a guide to the general rules, not a decision about your situation.
- Your commune or canton may ask for different documents or timing.
- A specialist can look at your case through the request form.
For the longer view, see your first 3 months, a typical timeline or the permit finder.
Frequently asked questions
Which date should I enter?
Enter the day you arrive to live in Switzerland. Insurance and license clocks count from taking up residence, which is usually the same day.
Is the calendar legal advice?
No. It shows general deadlines. The authorities decide, and a specialist can review your case.
Can I get a permit through this tool?
No. The permit finder gives an orientation only; the cantonal authorities grant permits.
What if I miss a deadline?
Ask your commune or insurer what applies. For health insurance, a late start can bring a premium surcharge and the canton may assign an insurer.