Congratulations on the offer. If you are moving to Switzerland for a job, the next weeks can feel like a pile of unknown words: permit, Gemeinde, deposit, LAMal. The good news is that the process follows a fairly steady order, and much of it can be prepared from your living room in London, Bangalore, Singapore or Chicago.
This page walks you through that order. It explains who does what, what depends on your passport, and which documents are worth collecting before you board the plane. It is general information, not advice on your own situation. A specialist can look at your case through the request form.
The big picture: from signed offer to first payslip
Most moves for work follow the same arc. Details change by canton (one of the 26 Swiss states) and by nationality, but the sequence below holds for almost everyone.
Think of it as three phases: permission to come, preparation while you are still abroad, and registration once you land. Keeping those phases apart helps you avoid the classic mistake of booking a flight before the permit is clear.
Step 1: understand which rules apply to you
Switzerland sorts newcomers into two main groups.
- EU/EFTA citizens benefit from free movement of persons. In general, a contract is enough to start the process, and there is no annual quota for them.
- Third-country nationals (for example from the UK, the US, India, Canada, Australia, the Gulf, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan or Korea) need an employer who can show that the role requires a qualified worker or specialist. Admission is limited by yearly quotas.
For 2026, the Federal Council kept the quotas for third-country workers unchanged: at most 8,500 qualified workers and specialists, split into 4,500 B permits and 4,000 L permits (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM). Cantons then share out their part. In plain words, a job offer is an important step, but the authorities still decide, and the canton's allocation matters.
Two permit types come up most often for employees:
- Permit B is a residence permit for longer stays, usually tied to a contract of some length.
- Permit L is a short-term permit for shorter assignments.
You can read the logic behind them on the permit finder once it is online. The key point: nobody can promise you a permit. Your employer files the request, the canton and sometimes the federal level examine it, and you receive the decision.
Step 2: who does what with the permit
In most job moves, the employer starts the permit procedure with the cantonal office that handles migration. You are not expected to find the right counter on your own.
Typical split of tasks:
| Task | Usually the employer | Usually you |
|---|---|---|
| Filing the permit request | Yes | Supply documents |
| Proof the role fits the rules | Yes | Provide CV and diplomas |
| Passport copies and photos | Yes | |
| Apostilles or translations, if asked | Yes, sometimes with HR help | |
| Entry visa, if your nationality needs one | Yes, once approved |
Ask HR three simple questions early: which canton will file, which documents they need and when, and whether you may start work before the permit decision. Do not resign, sell your car or end your lease until you have the answers in writing.
Step 3: prepare from abroad
While the permit is processed, use the waiting time well. A short list:
- Order certified copies of birth and marriage certificates, if you will be moving with a partner or children
- Check that every passport is valid long enough for the permit
- Gather diplomas and employment references, with translations if they are not in English, German, French or Italian
- Ask your current health provider for a record of treatments and vaccinations
- Collect school reports and a transfer letter for each child
- Get a driving history statement from your home licensing authority
- Write down your tax situation at home so you can close it correctly
- Check what your home country asks when you leave (tax residency, pension, address change)
Our personal moving checklist tool can turn this into a plan with your dates, and the relocation calendar shows when things typically happen.
Step 4: housing, the part that surprises people
Finding a home is often the hardest piece. Many landlords in Swiss cities expect to meet you or at least see a complete file, and the market for rentals is competitive in most urban areas.
Words you will meet:
- Régie / Verwaltung: a property manager who handles rentals for owners.
- Mietzinsdepot: the rental deposit, usually held in a blocked bank account in your name.
- Betreibungsauszug: an extract from the debt collection register, which shows you pay your bills.
- Bewerbungsdossier: your application file for a flat.
A typical file contains a copy of your passport and permit (or the permit request), your work contract, recent payslips or a salary statement, the debt register extract and a short cover note. If you do not yet have a Swiss record, a letter from your employer and references from past landlords help.
Because you are abroad, many newcomers use a temporary furnished apartment for the first period and search in person after arrival. That choice depends on your family, your budget and the city. The rental file check lets you see whether your documents are complete.
Step 5: register when you arrive
Once you are in Switzerland, you must tell the local commune (Gemeinde) that you live there. As a general rule, the notification is due within 14 days of arrival, though it can vary by commune and canton, so confirm the exact rule with the office where you will live (ch.ch, Canton of Zurich).
Bring:
- your passport or ID
- your residence or work permit, or the document that confirms your status
- proof of health insurance
- your rental contract or a confirmation of address
Families usually register everyone together. Children's school enrollment follows through the commune or school office, so ask at the counter which form they need.
Step 6: health insurance
Switzerland has mandatory basic health insurance, called LAMal in French and KVG in German. Almost everyone who lives in the country must be covered, and you choose the insurer yourself. Premiums differ by insurer, canton, age and the deductible you select. Your employer may offer advice, but the choice is yours.
Arrange the policy early, because the registration office will ask for proof. A specialist can compare options for your situation through the request form, as we cannot recommend a particular plan here.
Step 7: tax at source
Most foreign employees without a settled-status permit (permit C) pay tax at source. The employer deducts it from your monthly pay and transfers it to the canton, so it appears directly on your payslip.
With permit B or L and an income below CHF 120,000, tax at source is in principle final, and you can ask for an ordinary assessment later; from CHF 120,000 an ordinary assessment afterwards is compulsory (Federal Tax Administration, FTA). Rates and details differ by canton, family status and church membership. Ask your payroll team how your deduction is worked out, and consider seeing a tax specialist for your own case.
Step 8: schools and family life
If you move with children, start the school search at the same time as the permit. Public schools are organized by commune and the language of instruction follows the local language. International schools exist near large cities, with their own admission rules. Our school choice tool explains the main types.
If you are traveling alone, see moving to Switzerland on your own. For couples with different passports, two passports, one move covers what can differ.
Common traps
- Booking movers or a one-way flight before the permit is confirmed.
- Signing a lease from abroad without understanding the notice terms.
- Waiting to choose health insurance until the registration counter asks.
- Forgetting to close accounts and notify tax authorities at home.
- Assuming one canton's rule applies everywhere.
More in common mistakes new arrivals make and the month-by-month timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Does a job offer mean I will get a permit?
No. The offer is the start of the process. The authorities examine the request and decide, and nobody outside them can promise the result.
Who applies for the work permit, me or my employer?
In most job moves, the employer files with the cantonal migration office. You provide the personal documents they ask for.
Can I start working before the permit is approved?
Generally not. Ask HR to confirm in writing when you may start, since the rule depends on your nationality and the type of permit.
What is the difference between permit B and permit L?
Permit B is a residence permit for longer stays. Permit L is for shorter assignments. Which one applies depends on your contract and the rules for your nationality.
Are there quotas for my nationality?
For EU/EFTA citizens, no. For third-country nationals, yes: in 2026 the limit for qualified workers and specialists is 8,500 across B and L permits (SEM), and cantons distribute their share.
Does the UK have a separate quota?
Yes, there is a dedicated allocation for the United Kingdom, with its own split between B and L permits. Your canton can tell you how it works in practice.
Do I need a visa to enter Switzerland?
That depends on your passport. Some nationalities enter first and register afterwards; others need an entry visa once the permit is approved. Ask the employer or the Swiss representation in your country.
When do I have to register in my new commune?
As a general rule within 14 days of arrival, though it may differ by commune or canton, so check locally (ch.ch).
What do I need to bring to register?
Usually your ID, your permit or status document, proof of health insurance and an address confirmation. The commune can tell you if it wants anything more.
Do I need Swiss health insurance?
Yes, basic health insurance is compulsory for nearly all residents. You choose the insurer, and you will need proof when you register.
What is LAMal or KVG?
They are the French and German names for the same compulsory basic insurance. It covers a standard range of care, and each person pays a premium.
Will my employer pay my taxes?
Your employer deducts tax at source from your salary and sends it to the canton. That is your tax, taken from your pay, not an extra cost to the employer.
What happens if I earn more than CHF 120,000?
Tax at source is still deducted, but an ordinary tax assessment afterwards becomes compulsory (FTA). A tax specialist can explain what that means for you.
Can I rent a flat before I arrive?
Sometimes, especially with a complete file and an employer letter. Many newcomers rent a temporary furnished place first and look in person later.
What is a Mietzinsdepot?
It is the rental deposit, normally held in a blocked bank account in your name until the lease ends. The landlord cannot spend it freely.
What is a Betreibungsauszug and where do I get it?
It is an extract from the debt collection register. Residents request it from the local office. Newcomers can offer an employer letter and references instead.
How early should I look for a school for my children?
As early as the permit process allows. Registration rules, school language and waiting lists differ by commune.
Can my spouse or partner work in Switzerland?
It depends on your permit type, your nationality and your partner's. Ask the cantonal office or a specialist before you plan on a second income.
Can I bring my pet?
Usually yes, with paperwork prepared in advance. See moving with a dog, cat or ferret.
How do I find help with the whole process?
You can ask for a connection with a relocation company that fits your needs. Use the request form and tell us about your move, and a specialist will review your case.
Are the quotas the same in every canton?
No. The federal level sets the total, and each canton receives and manages its own share, as the Canton of Zurich explains for its own residents.