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, or a 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 will be instructed to visit the relevant cantonal office to submit your biometric data (photograph, fingerprints). This is to 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