Emigrate to Switzerland
Have you made the decision to emigrate to Switzerland? Congratulations on your decision 🥳 In this article, you will find out what really matters so that you can quickly find your feet in Switzerland. Emigrating to Switzerland means more than just moving - it's about insurance, taxes, finding accommodation, registration and much more. We will help you to gain clarity step by step and make a well-prepared new start.
Emigration Switzerland
Are you about to move to Switzerland and still have a lot of unanswered questions? Don't worry. As your experienced emigration advisor, we will guide you through every step - from preparation to successful arrival. We make sure that everything runs smoothly so that you can concentrate on your new life in Switzerland.
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Registration community
When you enter the Switzerlandyou must register with your new municipality of residence. This means that you - and any other family members - must register with the residents' registration office (town hall) immediately after moving. As an EU citizen, you have 14 days after your move and before your first day of work to register with your municipality of residence.
Emigrating to Switzerland - What documents does the municipality want to see from you?
You will need the following documents:
- Identity card or passport - for each family member travelling with you
- Swiss employment contract
- Swiss rental agreement
- Students must present a certificate that they have been admitted to a university
With these documents, nothing should stand in the way of registering with your new municipality of residence. Nevertheless, we advise you to find out in advance what other documents your local authorities may want to see.
But I don't have health insurance yet?
Don't panic, that's fine. The registration period for Swiss health insurance companies is three months, which is longer than your 14-day registration period. You can therefore submit the proof to the municipality within three months. However, we recommend that you take out health insurance as soon as possible, as your insurance will always start automatically on your date of arrival.
Registration in person or online?
Many municipalities require you to register in person, but not all do. Cities in particular often allow you to complete the process in writing/online.
The relevant registration office or residents' registration office is responsible for administrative processing. The easiest way to find out about the correct procedure is to contact your municipal or city administration directly.
The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich, is an exception: it is divided into districts, each of which has its own registration office. You can find out which district you live in based on your postcode.
Note: If you move within Switzerland, it is not enough to simply register with your new municipality. You must also deregister at your previous place of residence.
Which residence permit will I receive?
Emigrating to Switzerland: You may have heard of the B or C permit. The Residence permits in Switzerland are divided into different categories. As a citizen of an EU or EFTA member state, you are entitled to a residence permit, provided that you work in Switzerland and have an employment contract.
In most cases, your employer will take care of the administration or will inform you of this when you sign your employment contract.
In Switzerland, a distinction is made between the following types of residence permit, among others:
B permit
This allows you to stay in Switzerland for up to five years and is issued if you can present an employment contract that is valid for one year or longer. With the B permit, there are no restrictions regarding profession, sector or place of residence. Most emigrants in Switzerland receive the B permit.
C permit
This permits permanent residence in Switzerland. There are no further conditions attached to the granting of a B permit, however, an uninterrupted stay in Switzerland of five years is required (the C permit usually follows the B permit).
L-authorisation
The "short-term residence permit" is valid for up to one year. This is aimed at people who have a specific purpose for their stay. This applies, for example, to interns. If the employment contract is extended, the L permit can be converted into a B permit.
G-authorisation
The "cross-border commuter permit" is available to people who live abroad near the border and have a valid employment contract in a Swiss border region. The persons concerned must return to their place of residence abroad at least once a week.
Tourism
You can stay in Switzerland as a tourist for up to three months. No authorisation is required for this.
Popular Swiss municipalities 🇨🇭
You want to go to the Emigrate to Switzerland? On this page you have now found out what requirements are necessary and how you should proceed. Before moving to Switzerland, many people also want to know how popular the individual municipalities are. We at Deine3a have put together a small ranking of the most popular places to live. After all, you should start your new life as a German in Switzerland in a place that fully appeals to you.
We base our ranking on the study conducted by the "Handelszeitung" newspaper, which is regarded as the largest municipality rating in Switzerland. This is a study that measures the attractiveness of municipalities in all cantons. More than 50 criteria that make living in a municipality attractive were taken into account for the rating, including quality of living, taxes, safety and the job situation.
Based on these specifications, the following exciting ranking results:
1. Cham (Canton of Zug)
The winner of the 2022 municipality rating is Cham in the canton of Zug with its 17,000 inhabitants. According to the Handelszeitung, anyone walking through the town will sense the dynamism of a town on the move.
2. Meilen (Canton of Zurich)
Meilen is ranked 1st in the canton of Zurich and 7th overall. Located on the right bank of Lake Zurich, also known as the sunny shore, Meilen is known as a magnet for entrepreneurs, managers and the rich. The CEOs of ABB and Siemens live here, as does the entrepreneur Magdalena Martullo-Blocher.
3 Bottighofen (Canton of Thurgau)
The municipality of Bottighofen is on the rise, coming in 37th place overall. The number 1 in the canton of Thurgau is more popular with home seekers than almost any other municipality in the canton. Quietly and idyllically situated on the shores of Lake Constance, Bottighofen recorded population growth of 8.4 per cent last year, while the average for the canton of Thurgau in 2021 was 1.4 per cent. And yes - the canton of Thurgau is close to the German border.
10 largest Swiss cities - Emigration Switzerland
- Zurich (ZH) - It is the economic centre of Switzerland with the largest financial sector and renowned universities such as ETH Zurich.
- Geneva (GE) - Capital of the canton of Geneva, known as the seat of numerous international organisations such as the UN and the Red Cross.
- Basel (BS) - Canton of Basel-Stadt, important pharmaceutical and chemical centre with major companies such as Roche and Novartis.
- Lausanne (VD) - Capital of the canton of Vaud, known as the seat of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- Berne (BE) - Capital of Switzerland and the canton of Bern, with the UNESCO-protected old town and the Federal Palace as the seat of government.
- Winterthur (ZH) - The second largest city in the canton of Zurich, known for the ZHAW and its museums.
- Lucerne (LU) - Capital of the canton of Lucerne, tourist centre with Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne.
- St. Gallen (SG) - Capital of the Canton of St. Gallen, known for the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and the Abbey Library.
- Lugano (TI) - Largest city in the canton of Ticino, Mediterranean flair and financial centre.
- Biel/Bienne (BE) - Largest city in the canton of Berne after the capital, bilingual and centre of the watchmaking industry.
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Emigrating to Switzerland - The most important topics
- Guide to emigration
- Supplementary dental insurance
- Emigrating to Switzerland
- Gross net payroll accounting Switzerland
- Rent a flat
- Relocation to Switzerland
- Transferring a car to Switzerland
- Swiss bank account
- Your property in Germany
- Mobile phone and Internet
- Tax system Switzerland
- Moving from Germany to Switzerland
- Equity portfolio in Germany
Budget calculator - How much will Switzerland cost me per month?
Emigrating to Switzerland: With our budget calculator, you can realistically estimate your monthly expenses in Switzerland. From rent to health insurance to taxes - the tool calculates your living costs and shows you your savings rate at the end. Ideal for preparing for your emigration to Switzerland.
Request free advice - Emigration Switzerland
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Counselling team
Our advisory team and office staff specialise in emigrants from Germany and Austria, and we help people emigrate to Switzerland every day. If you would also like to emigrate to Switzerland, please get in touch using the contact form and get to know our team in Zurich - we look forward to hearing from you! 🤗
Do you have any questions?
You want to emigrate to Switzerland? We are here for you. Our consultations are free of charge. You can reach us via the contact form or drop by for a coffee in Zurich.
