Moving to Switzerland: an arrival checklist

Your working checklist

Tick items for this visit or print a copy. This public checklist does not save your answers.

1. 1. Confirm the residence routeRecord whether the move is for work, study, family or another reason. Use the official permit overview to locate the cantonal authority; EU/EFTA and other nationality routes differ.
2. 2. Ask your destination commune what it needsCollect its registration instructions and appointment route. Keep your identity, accommodation and household evidence available, using the actual list provided by that office.
3. 3. Resolve health insurance for each personFOPH describes a general three-month enrolment period from taking up residence, with coverage and premiums normally backdated when enrolment is timely. Exceptions exist: verify the applicable route, including any exemption, with the competent authority.
4. 4. Build a cash and document bufferMake a working budget for housing, moving costs, deposits and insurance bills. This is a planning exercise, not a claim that every expense or account is required by law.
5. 5. Save real confirmations and follow-up datesUse CH/OS to record your confirmed dates, outstanding questions and next actions. Keep original paperwork in your own secure document storage; the planner does not receive document uploads.