All you need to know about your registration process
This will take you ½ a day
Mandatory by law within the first two weeks after arrival
Required Swissify-steps:
Visa
Housing
Required documents:
Employment contract
Passport / Identification card
Lease Contract
All newcomers need to register at their local municipality (commune in French/Italian and Gemeinde in German) within 14 days of entering Switzerland and prior to their first working day. You have to register at the local registration office of your municipality in person (usually including all family members).
Visa approval (if needed)
Employment contract or confirmation of employment
Temporary or permanent address in Switzerland
Valid travel documents (passport or identification card)
New requirement valid from January 2020: 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 (where applicable, exceptions apply for French and German native speakers)
For the residence permit you need a valid address in Switzerland. This does not necessarily have to correspond to your definitive address. It is therefore possible to enter a temporary address. However, if you enter a temporary address it is important that you do not forget to report your new address. This is mandatory for every citizen in Switzerland.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to register online if you are moving from abroad to Switzerland. You will have to visit the municipality in person to do this. So that the registration goes ahead quickly and smoothly, it is advisable to prepare and bring:
Lease agreement or confirmation of the place of residence, if using a temporary address
ID or passport
Employment contract
You do not need an appointment to register. It is advisable to visit the municipality 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: Ämterfinder
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
Ensure your registration gets completed first time, avoid language issues and potential misunderstandings with the officials – have a local expert join you at registration.
While waiting to receive your confirmation, you can continue with the next steps of your move.
Note that some steps, especially those relating to signing contracts, can only completed once you have received your registration confirmation.
Ensure your registration gets completed first time, avoid language issues and potential misunderstandings with the officials – have a local expert join you at registration.