Moving to Switzerland as an EU/EFTA citizen – what do I need to arrange?

13 tasks in suggested order

1. Check duty-free household effects

If applicable: If you are importing household effects into Switzerland.

When moving to Switzerland, customs and import formalities apply to household effects; the official page explains conditions and procedure.

When?

Complete residence/work registration and customs formalities before or immediately upon moving in; deadlines depend on status.

Where / who?

Customs/Bundesamt für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit and the residents'/migration authority of the new municipality/canton.

What to prepare?

Inventory/evidence of household effects, identity, residence/employment evidence and customs forms according to the official page.

What to check?

Duty-free household effects have separate requirements. Residence registration and customs clearance are separate steps.

Official source: ch.ch

2. Register with municipality after arrival

Where / who?

Residents'/migration authority of the municipality or canton of residence.

Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration

3. Take health insurance after moving

A person taking up residence in Switzerland who is subject to compulsory insurance generally has three months to join an authorised health insurer.

When?

Where insurance is mandatory, generally within 3 months after taking up residence or when the insurance obligation begins.

Where / who?

An approved Swiss health insurer; supervision/allocation by the competent cantonal body.

What to prepare?

Personal details, residence/stay information and information required for the insurance application.

What to check?

If registration is completed on time, coverage generally applies from the start of the insurance obligation; late registration can lead to disadvantages/allocation. Check exceptions separately.

Official source: Bundesamt für Gesundheit

4. EU/EFTA residence permit

If applicable: For EU/EFTA nationals when a residence permit is required.

Residence conditions depend on the purpose of stay; cantons are responsible for issuing permits.

When?

The deadline and type of permit depend on the reason for residence and nationality; check the cantonal procedure.

Where / who?

Cantonal migration/residents' authority.

What to prepare?

Passport/ID plus evidence of employment, self-employment, study or sufficient means/insurance depending on status.

What to check?

EU/EFTA and third-country rules differ significantly.

Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration

5. EU/EFTA: register before starting work

EU/EFTA nationals employed for more than three months generally must register with the municipality of residence within 14 days of arrival and before starting work, and apply for a residence permit.

When?

EU/EFTA employees with employment lasting over 3 months must generally register within 14 days after arrival and before starting work.

Where / who?

Residents'/migration authority of the municipality or canton of residence.

What to prepare?

Valid passport/ID plus employment contract or employer confirmation; further cantonal evidence.

What to check?

Register before starting work. Self-employed persons must additionally provide evidence of self-employment.

Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration

6. EU/EFTA family reunification

Residence conditions depend on the purpose of stay; cantons are responsible for issuing permits.

When?

The deadline and type of permit depend on the reason for residence and nationality; check the cantonal procedure.

Where / who?

Cantonal migration/residents' authority.

What to prepare?

Passport/ID plus evidence of employment, self-employment, study or sufficient means/insurance depending on status.

What to check?

EU/EFTA and third-country rules differ significantly.

Official source: Staatssekretariat für Migration

7. Register a car in Switzerland

Motor vehicles are registered with the competent cantonal road traffic office; procedures and fees are cantonal.

When?

Before using a vehicle that requires registration in Switzerland, register it; imports involve additional customs steps.

Where / who?

Cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt; proof of insurance is required for registration.

What to prepare?

Proof of insurance, vehicle documents, identity/residence evidence and, depending on the import, customs/inspection documents.

What to check?

Fees and motor vehicle tax are cantonal; use specific amounts only from the competent canton.

Official source: ch.ch

8. Exchange foreign driving licence

Foreign driving licences are subject to official exchange rules after taking residence in Switzerland; cantonal road traffic offices are responsible.

When?

A foreign driving licence must generally be exchanged within 12 months after taking up residence if you want to continue driving.

Where / who?

Cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt.

What to prepare?

Foreign driving licence, identity/residence evidence and cantonal forms/eye test or further evidence as required.

What to check?

Depending on the issuing country, a test drive or additional evidence may be required.

Official source: Bundesamt für Strassen ASTRA

9. Clarify residence rights for self-employment with the canton

Official source: www.sem.admin.ch

10. Have self-employed status recognised by the compensation office

Official source: www.ahv-iv.ch

11. Choose a legal form and check commercial-register duties

Official source: www.kmu.admin.ch

12. Clarify VAT liability and bookkeeping

Official source: www.estv.admin.ch

13. Arrange insurance and pension cover for self-employed work

Official source: www.kmu.admin.ch

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