Guide to emigrating to Switzerland
Would you like to emigrate to Switzerland but are unsure how to proceed? Our 6-step guide will lead you through the entire relocation process 🥳 Whether it's registration, health insurance or finding accommodation - we'll show you what really matters. With our help, emigrating to Switzerland will be plannable, uncomplicated and stress-free.
Find a job
On www.jobs.ch you will find numerous job offers. You can also look for suitable job offers directly on company websites. Alternatively, you can work with a recruitment agency such as Michael Page. Whichever route you choose, your CV should be clearly structured and concise.
Find a flat
You've found a job, congratulations. To www.homegate.ch you will now find numerous flats to choose from. In Switzerland, it is customary to view flats in person. Once you have found a suitable flat, you must apply for it. The application is usually made electronically by sending your documents to the administration by e-mail.
Insurance
Removal + customs
Community registration
As an EU citizen, you have 14 days after your move and before your first day of work to submit the Registration at your municipality of residence. To do this, go to the residents' registration office in person and present your employment contract, rental agreement and identity card. Once you have registered, you will receive a registration certificate confirming your official registration in Switzerland.
Health insurance + bank
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! 🤗
Step 1: Find a job
Finding a job should of course be your top priority. There are several reasons for this. The most obvious is that a job will provide you with the financial cushion you need to start your new life in Switzerland. But it is by no means just about monetary aspects: Your job is also the perfect place to meet new people, familiarise yourself with the cultural idiosyncrasies of Switzerland (and there are a few 😉) and understand Swiss German better at the same time.
You can also look for suitable job offers directly on company websites. Alternatively, you can work with a recruitment agency such as Michael Page. Whichever route you choose, your CV should be clearly structured and concise.
Good things sometimes take time
Never forget the following: Good things sometimes take time. So don't be discouraged: In Switzerland, it's normal to receive five to ten rejections before you get a job offer. But don't worry: the demand for personnel is now also very high in Switzerland and various industries are complaining about a shortage of skilled labour. And even sectors with low entry barriers, such as retail or catering, are always looking for people. So, given the right efforts, you will certainly manage to gain a foothold in the Swiss labour market. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!
Step 2: Find a flat
You've found a job, congratulations 👏 Now it's time to find a suitable flat where you'll feel completely at home. On www.homegate.ch you will find numerous properties to choose from. In Switzerland, it is customary to view flats in person. Once you have found a suitable flat, you must apply for it. The application is usually made electronically by sending your documents to the administration by e-mail. Below you will find some helpful tips that will help you to successfully find a flat.
Regional differences in the housing market
Although Switzerland is a small country, it is nevertheless strongly characterised by regional characteristics. These also have an impact on the housing market. One of the consequences of this is that the housing market is particularly tight in larger cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Because of their high quality of life and economic strength, a particularly large number of people move to these urban centres. This not only makes the search for a flat considerably more difficult, but also drives up rents. It can therefore be worth looking for smaller towns and villages that are close to your place of work. This is because even smaller communities in Switzerland are well served by public transport. For example, it takes a maximum of 25 minutes by S-Bahn from the vibrant city centre of Zurich to the agglomeration town of Bülach, depending on the connection. And in Bülach you will find it much easier (and cheaper) to find housing.
Rental deposit and rental agreements
In Switzerland, it is common for a rental deposit to be required, which can be up to three months' rent. The money is deposited in a special rental deposit account and is used to cover possible damage etc. when moving out. Some property management companies also allow rent deposit insurance. This means that not so much money is blocked, as you pay a monthly amount to the insurance company. If the landlord makes a claim or damages, the insurance will pay this.
Step 3: Insurance
Before you finally arrive in Switzerland 🇨🇭, there is one more crucial point: your existing insurance policies from Germany. You should definitely check these in good time to ensure that you are fully covered in Switzerland.
Many insurance policies that you have taken out in Germany, such as private liability or household contents insurance, often no longer apply or only apply to a limited extent as soon as you move to Switzerland. We therefore recommend that you carefully review all your policies and make any necessary adjustments - or take out new insurance in Switzerland. We at deine 3a will of course be happy to help you with this process so that you know exactly which insurance policies you still need and which you can cancel.
To help you maintain a complete overview at all times during your move to Switzerland, we have created a practical Checklist created. You can download these as a PDF and work through what still needs to be done step by step.
Emigration Switzerland works smoothly with our help - register for a free consultation.
Step 4: Removal and customs 👮♀️
Moving day is approaching and you're ready to start your new life in Switzerland - yes! So don't let tedious customs formalities spoil your anticipation. So before you finally arrive, we'll show you the best way to take care of these administrative aspects and ensure that your move goes smoothly.
Many insurance policies that you have taken out in Germany, such as private liability or household contents insurance, often no longer apply or only apply to a limited extent as soon as you move to Switzerland. We therefore recommend that you carefully review all your policies and make any necessary adjustments - or take out new insurance in Switzerland. We at deine 3a will of course be happy to help you with this process so that you know exactly which insurance policies you still need and which you can cancel.
We have created a practical checklist to help you keep track of your move to Switzerland at all times. You can download it as a PDF and work through what still needs to be done step by step.
Creation of an inventory list
Something you should prepare for customs is a detailed inventory list. This should contain all the items you want to import into Switzerland. Above all, make sure to describe the items as precisely as possible, including the number of items, condition (new or used) and possibly also the purchase value. This list serves as an overview for the customs office to check whether the imported goods comply with the regulations. Drawing up this list may seem time-consuming (which, admittedly, it is), but it is necessary to avoid delays and additional costs. Always remember: the better and more extensively you prepare, the smoother your emigration will go!
Duty-free import of personal effects
Here is some good news: you can import personal effects such as furniture, clothing and household items into Switzerland duty-free. The prerequisite for this is that these items have been in your possession for at least six months and are still intended for personal use. However, new items can also be imported duty-free if they can be proven to be part of your personal household. So make sure that your inventory list reflects this information.
Introducing your car
If you bring your own car with you to Switzerland, duty-free regulations also apply to your vehicle - provided you have also owned it for at least six months. In this case, your car is considered part of your personal belongings and is not subject to customs duties. However, you must officially register your car in Switzerland within a certain period of time after importing it.
Help with customs formalities
If you are unsure which documents you need or how the customs process works, you can contact us. We will help you prepare for the customs formalities and help you draw up your inventory list and take note of all the important points. This way, you can take a relaxed approach to your move without any nasty surprises at the border.
Step 5: Your Swiss municipality of residence
Grüezi and welcome to your new place of residence! 🏠 Whether you're moving from Germany to vibrant Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva or to more tranquil towns like Oberlunkhofen, registering with your new municipality is another key point on your to-do list after moving to Switzerland. This step is mandatory for all new arrivals from Germany who settle in Switzerland and should be completed within the specified deadlines. Here you can find out what you need to pay attention to and which documents you need.
As an EU citizen, you have 14 days after moving to Switzerland to register with your local municipality of residence. It is also important that you register before your first day of work, as this is a prerequisite for being officially authorised to live, work - and earn money - in Switzerland. However, registration is also necessary if you are not starting work immediately but intend to stay in Switzerland permanently. Either way, you should go to the municipality quickly. There you will often also find information on cultural activities and events as well as local club life (by the way, a club is an ideal context for meeting new people).
Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a registration certificate confirming your official registration in Switzerland. This certificate is essential as it can serve as proof in various situations - for example when opening a bank account or registering for health insurance. You will also be issued with a residence permit that allows you to live and work in Switzerland. As an EU citizen, you will generally receive a residence permit for five years (B permit), provided you have a job.
Many insurance policies that you have taken out in Germany, such as private liability or household contents insurance, often no longer apply or only apply to a limited extent as soon as you move to Switzerland. We therefore recommend that you carefully review all your policies and make any necessary adjustments - or take out new insurance in Switzerland. We at deine 3a will of course be happy to help you with this process so that you know exactly which insurance policies you still need and which you can cancel.
We have created a practical checklist to help you keep track of your move to Switzerland at all times. You can download it as a PDF and work through what still needs to be done step by step. We'll show you how to emigrate to Switzerland without stress.
Documents required for registration
- Employment contract: This confirms that you are employed in Switzerland and will be working here. If you do not yet have an employment contract, for example because you are still looking for a job, you should find out which documents are required instead.
- Tenancy agreement: The tenancy agreement proves that you have a permanent residential address in the municipality. The following also applies here: If you are staying temporarily with friends or relatives, you may need a confirmation of residence from the landlord or host.
- ID card or passport: A valid ID document is required to prove your identity. Make sure that your ID is still valid, as this is a prerequisite for registration.
Step 6: Health insurance and bank account
In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory by law, which ensures that everyone living in Switzerland has basic insurance. This basic insurance covers the basic medical treatment required in the event of illness. A distinction is made between basic and supplementary insurance. The former is compulsory for all Swiss residents. This has the advantage that you are accepted without reservation, regardless of your state of health or previous medical history. Accordingly, the benefits of basic insurance are precisely defined and more or less the same for all providers, as they are regulated by law. Nevertheless, there are differences in the details of the premiums, i.e. the monthly contributions, as well as in the additional options, such as the amount of the deductible (excess) and the freedom of choice of doctors or hospitals.
In addition to basic insurance, you have the option of voluntarily taking out supplementary insurance. Unlike basic insurance, this is not required by law and can be useful, for example, if you want to take advantage of extended benefits. These include alternative treatments, additional cover abroad or an upgrade for inpatient stays (e.g. for a single room in hospital, which is called a "hospital" in Switzerland).
Opening the bank account
You know from films and television that it's mainly wealthy people and villains from James Bond films who have a bank account in Switzerland. Soon you too will belong to this illustrious circle! Your account will not only receive your salary, but will also be used to make everyday payments such as rent, health insurance premiums and incidental costs.
Which bank should you choose? In Switzerland, you are spoilt for choice. Basically, you should decide whether you want to go for a traditional branch bank or a modern online bank. Both options offer advantages and disadvantages, and the decision depends on your personal preferences.
Branch banks such as UBS, the various cantonal banks or the Raiffeisen banks offer personalised advice on site. This can be particularly helpful if you are new to the country and value personal service. Direct contact can also be an advantage for more complex banking matters, such as taking out a mortgage or setting up a savings plan. Swiss banks also all have practical online services.
Online banks such as Neon or Zak, on the other hand, are a good choice if you prefer to do your banking conveniently and exclusively digitally and want to save on fees. Many of these banks offer free accounts and simple, user-friendly apps that allow you to access your money from anywhere.
You will need some important documents to open an account:
- Confirmation of registration: Proof of your residence in Switzerland
- Identity card or passport: A valid identity document is required
- Labour contract: Many banks require proof of your income, especially when opening salary accounts.
If you are unsure which health insurance company or bank is best for you, you are welcome to contact us. We will help you to understand the various options and make an informed decision so that you are well insured and get off to a good financial start when emigrating to Switzerland.
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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.
