Registration in Switzerland: what you need to know
-
All newcomers need to register at their local municipality (commune/Gemeinde) within 14 days of entering Switzerland and prior to their first working day.
-
If your registration is successful you will usually receive either a residence permit giving you the right to work in Switzerland,ora residence permit with no right to work.
-
Handling registration will take you around 1 - 2 hours
-
In most cantons, you must attend registration in person
Video © 'Welcome To Switzerland'
Registration with the Swiss local authorities
All newcomers need to register at their local municipality ('commune' in French / 'Gemeinde' in German) within 14 days of entering Switzerland and prior to their first working day.
Local registration upon arrival and biometrics are the final step in the Swiss immigration process. The registration will only be successful if the correct approach for each individual family member has been followed.
Plan your registration
You do not need an appointment at your local commune to register. It is advisable to visit the municipality early in the morning, as experience shows that there are fewer people present at this time of the day.
Here you can find the address and the opening hours of all registration offices.
In smaller municipality offices you should not assume that the officials will able to speak to you in English. In such cases it may be worth being accompanied by someone who can translate for you.
How long before you receive your residence permit?
If you have all required documents at hand and your registration is successful, you will normally receive a registration confirmation.
The final work and/or residence permit document will be issued between 2 and 4 weeks after your registration date and biometric appointment.
Be sure to ask at your commune/ Gemeinde when you can expect to receive your final permit. In the event of a long delay, request an attestation of residence to help you with other admin tasks you will encounter during your relocation process.
Note that non-EU/EFTA citizens need to begin their immigration process 2 - 3 months before their target move date, as it normally also includes a visa application process.
Documents required for registration
Prepare these documents in advance:
-
Valid ID or passports of each family member
-
Birth certificates of children
-
Marriage certificate or decree absolute (if applicable)
-
If your documents are from a non EU country, you most likely will need to provide certified translations
-
Your residential lease contract. Proof of local residence/address is required for registration. This can be a temporary accommodation address which must be valid until issue of the final residence/work permit. Change of address within the same canton can be easily processed when permanent accommodation is confirmed. Change of address into another canton can create complications.
-
Work contract or confirmation of admission to higher education institutions
-
For non-EU/EFTA citizens: police record from your home country, work permit approval/ entry visa
-
Other documents may be required depending on the local authority's requirements.
-
(Only applicable for dependants) Certificate proving competence in the local language of Level A1 at a minimum, or proof of registration in a language course with this qualification as its goal (Not applicable for nationals from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, principality of Lichtenstein and Portugal).
Make sure to call your local commune/Gemeinde first to inquire about required documents before going there to register
Costs involved when registering at the local commune
The authorities in some cantons will require full payment of fees in cash upon registration, so plan to have the cash with you. In other cantons, the authorities will send an invoice.
Guideline budget for a person immigrating to Switzerland in possession of a Swiss contract of employment (fees vary from canton to canton):
• EU/EFTA citizens: between CHF 100 and CHF 400 per person
• Non EU/EFTA citizens: between CHF 200 and 400 per person
Biometrics
After registration at the local commune/ Gemeinde, you willbe instructed to visit the relevant cantonal office to submit your biometric data (photograph, fingerprints). This isto comply with Schengen regulations, as the residence permit will enable you to travel throughout the Schengen area without a visa.
The commune will hand out an appointment letter when registering (only in some cantons, as in others, no appointment is needed).
Book support now
FAQs
All newcomers need to register at their local municipality ('commune' in French / 'Gemeinde' in German) within 14 days of entering Switzerland and prior to their first working day. Local registration upon arrival and biometrics are the final step in the Swiss immigration process.
What is a commune in Switzerland? ›
Municipalities (German: Gemeinden, Einwohnergemeinden or politische Gemeinden; French: communes; Italian: comuni; Romansh: vischnancas) are the lowest level of administrative division in Switzerland. Each municipality is part of one of the Swiss cantons, which form the Swiss Confederation.
Where to register in Zurich? ›
The Residents' Registration Office in the City hall is open continuously from Monday to Friday 08.00 until 16.30. And every Saturday from 08:00-11:30.
Who can register a company in Switzerland? ›
The beauty of embarking on a business venture in Switzerland is that the Swiss Constitution allows both citizens and non-citizens to form a company there; however, at least one of the directors must be a Swiss citizen or a legal resident.
Can a non Swiss resident open a bank account in Switzerland? ›
How to Open a Swiss Bank Account for Non-Residents or Foreigners. Foreign companies can open a Swiss bank account both in-person or remotely online if you're unable to physically visit a branch. As a general guide, accounts usually take between a week to a month to become active.
How much does it cost to become a resident of Switzerland? ›
Costs of naturalization application
Citizenship application costs are: Confederation level: CHF 100 for an individual, CHF 150 for a married couple, CHF 50 for a child. Canton level: up to CHF 2,000 per person (depending on canton) Commune level: CHF 500–1,000 per person (depending on canton)
Can you live in a commune? ›
Perhaps the most common form of intentional community is a single residence that owners decide to develop as a group house. There may be a single owner who lives in the house; the owner(s) may live elsewhere and rent it to the group; or all renters may be owners - it can be done lots of ways.
What are communes called now? ›
Intentional communities include collective households, co-housing communities, co-living, ecovillages, monasteries, communes, survivalist retreats, kibbutzim, ashrams, and housing cooperatives.
How many people can live in a commune? ›
Sharing everyday life and facilities, a commune is an idealized form of family, being a new sort of "primary group" (generally with fewer than 20 people, although there are examples of much larger communes).
How do I register an association in Switzerland? ›
For more information, see the page dedicated to CAGI's services for international NGOs.
- Draft the statutes. ...
- Gather the members in a constitutive General Meeting. ...
- Register the association with the tax authorities and, if applicable, request a tax exemption. ...
- Register the association with the Commercial registry.
You must wait until the application has been approved before being able to travel to Switzerland to start working. The process can take up to 6 months. Your application is evaluated by cantonal work authorities before being sent to the SEM in Bern for a final decision.
Do tourists need to register in Switzerland? ›
Foreign citizens require a valid passport and/or identity card, a passport photo, and if available, a foreigner's identity card. Holders of a tourist visa do not have to register within these terms.
Can I open a company in Switzerland as a non resident? ›
You need a Swiss address for the company headquarters. If you do not live in Switzerland, you need a domicile address at the official place of incorporation. This also serves as the postal address. Domiciles can also bring tax advantages, depending on the canton in which the company is domiciled.
Can Americans open a business in Switzerland? ›
Sort out your Swiss visa requirements
Non-EU/EFTA nationals can only set up a business if they have a C settlement permit, if they are the spouse of a Swiss citizen/C permit holder, or if they are an entrepreneur willing to make a lump sum tax investment payment of CHF 150,000.
How do I prove residency in Switzerland? ›
Typically, you will need to fill in an application form and provide:
- valid ID;
- address in Switzerland;
- evidence of existing residence permit (e.g., “B” or “L” permit);
- proof that you meet the necessary requirements (e.g., language certificates)
An applicant for a Swiss residence permit must meet the following requirements:
- Be over 18 years of age and have no criminal record.
- Prove the legality of the source of their income outside Switzerland.
- Live in the country for more than 183 days a year.
- Pay an annual lump-sum tax.
Once you have started your business activity in self-employment, you have to register with the compensation office to do so. The compensation office of the canton where your company is domiciled is responsible. To review your application, the compensation office needs proof of self-employment.
How do I get a Swiss ID? ›
You can order a passport and/or identity card in person at your cantonal passport office or by contacting the office by phone. If you only need an identity card, it is possible in some cantons, to order one at your commune of residence. You should receive the documents within 10 working days.
