Moving to Zurich From the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

Moving to Zurich from the UK feels like a big leap, but it is really a series of small steps taken in a set order. This page follows that order: first what is different about Switzerland, then what you can do from your living room in London, Manchester or Edinburgh, then what happens once you land.

What is different when you come from the UK

The biggest change is your legal status. Switzerland has two broad entry regimes: one for citizens of the EU and EFTA countries, and one for citizens of other countries, called "third countries" (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM). Since Brexit, UK citizens generally sit in the second group. That means you usually need a permit before you start living and working here, and it is the canton, not the employer alone, that processes it.

Please treat this as the general rule only. Your exact route depends on your job, your family and your nationality. A specialist can look at your situation through the request at the bottom of this page, or you can try the permit finder for a first orientation.

Other differences you will notice quickly:

Health care. There is no NHS equivalent. Basic health insurance is mandatory and you buy it from a private insurer. Everyone pays a premium, and you choose a deductible (the part you pay first, known as the franchise).
Taxes. There is no single national system like PAYE. Tax is set partly by the canton and the municipality, so where you live matters.
Housing. Most people rent, and the rental process is document-heavy. You will meet terms like Gemeinde (your municipality) and Verwaltung or régie (the property manager).
Admin. You register in person with your municipality. Much of the paperwork is in German, even if daily life in Zurich works well in English.

Zurich in a few numbers

Zurich is a compact, international city. At the end of 2025 it had 440,935 permanent residents, of whom 150,726 were foreign nationals, or 34.2% (Federal Statistical Office, FSO). So you will not be the only newcomer in your street, your office or your child's class.

Language is a good thing to prepare for. The local language is German, and everyday Swiss German sounds different from the standard German taught in courses. Many professionals speak English, but forms, landlords and neighbors will use German.

Before you leave: what you can prepare at home

Think of the months before departure as three small jobs: documents, housing and household.

Documents

Start collecting early, because certified copies and translations take time. A typical list includes passports, your employment contract or job offer, birth and marriage certificates if relevant, and proof of your current address. Ask your Swiss employer or the cantonal office which documents they want certified. The relocation calendar helps you put each task on a date.

Housing

Searching for a home from abroad is possible but competitive. In 2024 the vacancy rate in the canton of Zurich was very low: 0.52% of dwellings were empty on 1 June 2026 (FSO). The city's average net rent across all sizes was CHF 1,739 per month, and CHF 1,761 for a three-room home, based on 2022-2024 data (FSO). These are averages, not what a specific flat costs, and they are only an order of magnitude for planning.

Because supply is tight, a complete rental file matters. Landlords often want an ID, proof of income, a debt-collection extract and a reference. The rental file check shows what is usually missing. Many newcomers start in a short-term furnished place and search locally once they arrive.

Household

Decide what travels and what stays. Moving costs depend on volume and route, so ask for quotes before you commit. For a rough picture of the budget, see what it costs to move to Switzerland. Also think about your UK bank, mobile contract and tenancy end date. Closing them too early or too late can cause headaches.

Your first weeks in Zurich

Once you arrive, the order matters again.

Register with your municipality. The registration is normally due within 14 days of arrival, though the exact rule can vary by municipality or canton. You usually bring your ID, your permit or work-permit document, and proof of health insurance (ch.ch).
Confirm your permit with the cantonal office. In Zurich this is the Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich (SEM list of cantonal authorities).
Take out basic health insurance. The canton or municipality will tell you the deadline that applies to you.
Open a bank account. You will need your registration and permit documents.
Sort school or childcare. See below.

Example: a family arriving from Bristol

This is a fictional example. Priya and Tom move with two children aged 6 and 10. Tom has a job offer in Zurich. Before leaving they gather certified documents, ask the school for records, and book a furnished apartment for the first month. In week one they register at the municipality, in week two they sort their insurance, and by week three the children start school. Nothing was instant, but each step had a clear place in the sequence.

Getting around and getting there

Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich) is the main international gateway, and you will probably land there on your first trip. Public transport in the city is dense, and many newcomers manage without a car at first. Check routes and passes with the local operators, as we do not list connections or prices here. If you plan to drive, see driving licence and car rules.

Schools and children

If your children will attend an English-language school, the canton lists several international options around Zurich, including the Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) in Zumikon, the Zurich International School (ZIS) in Wädenswil, Kilchberg and Adliswil, and the International School Zurich North (ISZN) in Wallisellen (Canton of Zurich, edition of November 2023). Places and admission rules vary, so ask each school directly. The international school overview goes into more detail, and the school choice tool can help you think through public versus international schooling.

If you are choosing between cities

Zurich is not the only option. If you are still deciding, read Zurich or Geneva. If your partner holds a different passport, two passports, one move explains how that can change the route. And if you are coming from the US rather than the UK, the US guide covers that starting point.

Getting help

You do not have to coordinate all of this alone. Relocation Swiss connects you with the relocation companies that work in Switzerland and, depending on your request, introduces you to the one that fits your needs. You describe your move once through the request form, and a specialist examines your case. If you want to see the kinds of help available in the area first, read relocation help in Zurich.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a permit to move to Zurich?

Generally yes. Since Brexit, UK citizens fall under the third-country rules rather than the EU/EFTA route (SEM). A specialist can check which route applies to you.

Can I move first and look for a job later?

This depends on the permit category and the canton. As a rule, work-related permits are tied to a job or another basis for residence, so check before you travel.

Who processes my permit?

The cantonal migration office. In Zurich that is the Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich. Your employer often starts the file, but the canton decides.

How long does it take to register after I arrive?

The usual deadline is 14 days after arrival, but it can vary by municipality or canton, so confirm locally (ch.ch).

What do I bring to register?

Normally your ID, your permit or work-permit document, and proof of health insurance (ch.ch). Your municipality may ask for more.

Is health insurance mandatory?

Yes, basic health insurance is mandatory for residents. You choose a private insurer and a deductible. The authorities will tell you the deadline that applies to you.

Can I keep my NHS cover?

Switzerland does not use the NHS model, and residents take out Swiss basic insurance. Ask your health provider and a specialist about any gap at departure.

How hard is it to find an apartment?

The market is tight. The canton had 0.52% vacant dwellings on 1 June 2026 (FSO). A complete rental file and some flexibility help a lot.

What is the average rent in Zurich?

The average net rent across all sizes was CHF 1,739 per month in 2022-2024 (FSO). It varies widely by size, district and age of the building.

Do I need to speak German?

Not for daily work in many international companies, but forms, landlords and municipalities use German. Learning basics early makes the first months smoother.

Are there English-language schools?

Yes. The canton lists international schools around Zurich, such as ICS, ZIS and ISZN (Canton of Zurich). Each has its own admission process.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets usually have their own entry rules. See bringing a pet to Switzerland before you book travel.

Will taxes be higher or lower than in the UK?

It depends on your income, family situation and the municipality where you live. A tax specialist can look at your case.

Does Relocation Swiss move me or find me a home?

No. Relocation Swiss puts you in contact with relocation companies, and the one that matches your request takes it from there.

Visual summary

Life in the UK and life in Switzerland

From London to Zurich: your move, step by step