Moving to Switzerland: all our advice to make your expatriation a success

Because of its quality of life and its stability, Switzerland attracts many foreigners wishing to expatriate. If you yourself wish to move to Switzerland, then know that:

• The procedures for living in Switzerland depend on your nationality, your professional situation, as well as on the canton where you plan to settle.

• To reside legally in Switzerland, you will have to request in advance a residence permit (permits L, B, C, etc.);

• Then, you will have to plan the import of your goods, the registration of your vehicle, as well as your enrolment in the Swiss health system.

What are the essential procedures to move to Switzerland?

Settlement in Switzerland is strictly regulated by the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (LEI). This legislation defines the conditions of entry, residence, and the exercise of gainful activity for foreign nationals.

It is complemented by the Ordinance on Admission, Residence and Gainful Employment (OASA), which specifies the practical application of the obligations.

The types of residence permits (Permits L, B, C, G for cross-border workers)

The residence permit determines your rights on the territory, your duration of settlement, and your possibilities of professional activity:

• Permit L: intended for short-term stays, generally for contracts under twelve months.

• Permit B: granted for a longer settlement; it concerns the majority of European workers coming to settle permanently.

• Permit C: grants a long-term settlement authorisation, often after several years of regular residence.

• Permit G (cross-border): specific to persons residing in a neighbouring country while working in Switzerland; it requires returning at least once a week to one’s home.

Each of these permits requires a formal request, often linked to a prior employment contract. Cantonal authorities (Geneva, Vaud, Zurich, Bern, notably) may also require additional documents, such as a rental contract or proof of insurance.

The arrival declaration and registration with the residents’ control

Once settled, you must register in your commune within a period generally between 8 and 14 days. This registration serves to formalise your arrival and to activate your resident status. The administration will request in particular:

• a valid identity document,

• the employment contract or proof of resources,

• a rental contract or proof of accommodation,

• the cantonal forms allowing the creation of the residence file.

This is an essential step to be able to benefit quickly from local services, open certain rights and complete your permit file.

Mandatory health insurance (LAMal): choosing your fund and affiliating

Anyone who settles in Switzerland must imperatively affiliate with a health-insurance fund within 3 months following their arrival, in accordance with LAMal (Federal Health Insurance Act).

This basic insurance is managed by approved private insurers, who are required to respect the strict framework of this law and of OAMal (Health Insurance Ordinance).

Good to know: cross-border workers benefit from the "option right", regulated by the EU–Switzerland bilateral agreements, which allows them to choose between the LAMal system and that of their country of residence, depending on their situation.

How to prepare your move to Switzerland?

To import your belongings (personal effects, vehicles, etc.) and validate your documents in Switzerland, you will have to follow the regulations of several key administrations: customs, the cantonal road traffic office, and banking institutions.

Managing the transport of your goods

The import of your goods is governed by the Customs Act (LD) and by the Ordinance on Customs Clearance. Personal effects benefit from a customs exemption when they meet the conditions linked to a move. To be considered household goods, they must:

• have been used for at least six months,

• be intended for personal use after settlement.

The official form "moving effects" must be presented, accompanied by a list of your goods. A specialised company can assist you in meeting the requirements linked to the LD, the controls, or the opening hours of border posts.

Registering your vehicle and converting your driving licence

If you move with your vehicle, you must register it in Switzerland within 12 months following your arrival. To do so, you must first:

• pass a technical inspection (also called an expertise);

• take out Swiss car insurance;

• present a certificate of conformity for your vehicle.

In addition, your national driving licence must be exchanged for a Swiss licence within this same period. This conversion is simple for most European countries but may require a driving test for certain non-EU/EFTA nationalities.

Opening a bank account and learning about taxation

Opening a bank account will of course facilitate your professional integration as well as the management of your health insurance or your rent. To this end, banks may request:

• your employment contract,

• your passport,

• your municipal registration certificate.

Regarding taxation, each Swiss canton applies its own tax scale. Thus, the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, or Zurich have different rates, which may influence your choice of residence.

Good to know: foreign workers under Permit B are often subject to withholding tax, deducted directly from salary.

How much does it cost to live in Switzerland?

The cost of living in Switzerland cannot be calculated precisely, as it depends on many factors: the canton, the municipality, the type of housing, insurance, transportation, and your personal lifestyle. Each canton has its own economic, fiscal, and social characteristics that should be taken into account when making a decision. We therefore recommend carefully assessing your needs and personal situation in order to determine the living environment that suits you best.

Estimation of the cost of living by canton

Each Swiss canton has its specificities:

• Geneva and Zurich are among the most expensive cantons, especially regarding housing and services.

• Vaud offers high prices but more varied depending on the cities (Lausanne, Montreux, Yverdon).

• Basel stands out for a balance between quality of life and current expenses.

Note that the most important expense items concern health insurance, housing, and transport.

Salaries in Switzerland: what income level to expect?

According to 2022 figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the median salary for a full-time position was 6,788 CHF per month in 2022. The fields of finance, engineering, health, or IT are among the most remunerative.

If you wish to work, know that Swiss companies value qualified, organised, and autonomous profiles, which opens many opportunities for newcomers.

How much does rent cost in Switzerland?

The Swiss rental market is sometimes tight in large cities like Geneva or Zurich. To rent an apartment or a house, you will have to provide:

• a solid rental file (solvency certificate, employment contract),

• a rent guarantee (in the form of a bank deposit or insurance),

• if possible, references from previous landlords.

Be careful, charges are not always included in the displayed rent, and it is useful to check what belongs to common costs (heating, hot water, building maintenance).

You have a real-estate purchase or rental project in Switzerland?

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