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Moving to Switzerland: Registration and Bureaucracy Guide: EU and EEA citizens relocating to Switzerland must complete several mandatory registrations within specific deadlines. The first step is registering your address at the local Gemeindeverwaltung (municipal office) within 14 days of arrival and before starting work. This is followed by obtaining a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) from the cantonal migration office, registering for the AHV/AVS social security number, and arranging mandatory health insurance within 3 months of arrival. Switzerland's 26 cantons each manage their own processes with different forms, fees, and waiting times. German, French, and Italian-speaking cantons operate in their respective languages. This guide covers all three core procedures step by step.

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Switzerland

Capital: Bern

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung / Permis de sejour / Permesso di dimora)

Cantonal Migration Office (Migrationsamt / Office cantonal de la population)

Deadline: Apply within 14 days of arrival — BEFORE starting work
Processing Time: 2–6 weeks for the permit. Temporary confirmation usually issued at the Gemeinde.
💰Fees: CHF 70–150 depending on canton. Plus CHF 65 for biometric identity card.
📅Appointment: Step 1: Register at Gemeinde (walk-in). Step 2: Cantonal migration office — appointment varies by canton.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag) with Swiss employer — must show duration, salary, and working hours
  • Proof of accommodation — rental contract (Mietvertrag) or confirmation from housing provider
  • Passport-sized biometric photos (2)
  • Health insurance confirmation — mandatory in Switzerland, must arrange within 3 months of arrival (compare at priminfo.admin.ch)
  • Completed registration forms (vary by canton)
  • Marriage/birth certificates for family members (if applicable)
Where to Do It:

Step 1: Municipal office (Gemeindeverwaltung / Administration communale) — register your address. Step 2: Cantonal migration office for the permit. In Zürich: Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich, Berninastrasse 45. In Geneva: Office cantonal de la population et des migrations (OCPM). In Basel: Migrationsamt Basel-Stadt.

If You Don't Do It:

Fines may apply for late registration (varies by canton: CHF 100–1,000). Working without a permit is illegal and can result in employer fines and permit denial. Without registration, no access to Swiss healthcare, banking, or public services.

Regional Variations: Each of 26 cantons manages its own process. Zürich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern each have different forms, fees, and wait times. German, French, and Italian-speaking cantons have forms in their respective languages.
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AHV/AVS Number (Social Security Number)

Cantonal Compensation Office (Ausgleichskasse / Caisse de compensation)

Deadline: Automatically assigned when employer registers you or when you register at the Gemeinde
Processing Time: Immediate upon employer registration. AHV card sent by post within 2–4 weeks.
💰Fees: Free (AHV contributions: 5.3% employee + 5.3% employer)
📅Appointment: No separate appointment — handled by employer or Gemeinde.
Required Documents:
  • No separate application needed — assigned during registration
  • Employer handles AHV registration via the Ausgleichskasse
Where to Do It:

Assigned automatically. The 13-digit AHV/AVS number (756.XXXX.XXXX.XX) is printed on your health insurance card and used for all social insurance, pension, and government interactions.

If You Don't Do It:

May not be able to be employed. No access to Swiss pension system (1st pillar), disability insurance, or unemployment insurance.

Regional Variations: Each canton has its own Ausgleichskasse but the AHV system is federal.
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Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung / Assurance-maladie)

Private health insurers (regulated by BAG/OFSP)

Deadline: Must arrange within 3 months of registering residence. Coverage is retroactive to arrival date.
Processing Time: Policies can start from your arrival date. Confirmation letter: 1–2 weeks.
💰Fees: Monthly premiums: CHF 250–600+ depending on canton, age, and deductible. Compare at priminfo.admin.ch. Franchise (deductible): CHF 300–2,500/year.
📅Appointment: No appointment — sign up online or by phone with any approved insurer.
Required Documents:
  • Residence permit or confirmation of registration
  • Passport or ID card
  • Swiss address
Where to Do It:

Choose any approved insurer. Compare all premiums at the official government tool: priminfo.admin.ch. Major insurers: CSS, Swica, Helsana, Concordia, Assura. Sign up online or by phone.

If You Don't Do It:

If you don't choose within 3 months, the canton assigns you an insurer — usually at the highest premium. A 50% surcharge may be added. Health insurance is MANDATORY in Switzerland for all residents, no exceptions.

Regional Variations: Premiums vary dramatically by canton — Appenzell Innerrhoden can be half the cost of Geneva. Always compare on priminfo.admin.ch for your specific canton.
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