Your First 90 Days in Switzerland

1. Before you arrive

A few things are much easier to arrange before landing in Switzerland:

• Visa / residence permit: EU/EFTA citizens can register on arrival. Non-EU citizens generally need a work permit arranged by their employer before entering. Confirm your entry requirements with the Swiss embassy or SECO.
• Connectivity on arrival: Switzerland is not in the EU, so EU roaming tariffs don't apply. Consider activating a travel eSIM before you fly so you have data from the moment you land. See our eSIM guide.
• Rental contract: you'll need a signed rental contract for your Anmeldung (registration). If you're starting in temporary accommodation, confirm whether it qualifies for registration with your Gemeinde (municipality).

2. Days 1–7: Urgent priorities

Get a Swiss phone number

A Swiss SIM card is needed almost immediately — for two-factor authentication at banks, for TWINT payments, and for verification calls from landlords and employers. Prepaid SIMs are available at railway station shops (SBB Travelshop) and major supermarkets. You'll need your passport. See our Mobile & Internet guide.

Find your Gemeinde (municipality office)

You must register at your local Gemeinde within 14 days of taking up residence. Find your municipality on ch.ch or via the local cantonal administration website. Most Gemeinden allow you to book an appointment online.

Documents for Anmeldung

• Valid passport or national ID (EU/EFTA)
• Signed rental contract or official letter from your host confirming your address
• Employment contract or proof of financial means (for non-employed applicants)
• Passport photos (check your specific Gemeinde's requirements — some accept digital)
• EU/EFTA citizens: no separate permit needed; the Gemeinde issues an Anmeldebestätigung (registration confirmation)

3. Weeks 2–4: Administrative foundations

Choose health insurance (mandatory within 90 days)

Health insurance is legally required in Switzerland. You have 90 days from arrival to choose a provider — coverage is backdated to your arrival date. Compare premiums on priminfo.admin.ch — basic (LaMal/KVG) coverage is legally identical at every insurer, so the only meaningful variable is the premium. See our full Health Insurance guide.

Open a Swiss bank account

A Swiss IBAN is required by most Swiss employers for salary payments and by landlords for deposits and rent. Digital banks targeted at expats (such as Neon and Yuh) often have simpler opening requirements and faster onboarding than traditional banks. See our Finance & Banking guide.

Register your driving licence (if applicable)

Foreign driving licences are recognised for up to 12 months in Switzerland. After 12 months, you must exchange your foreign licence for a Swiss one — start this process early as waiting times at the Strassenverkehrsamt (road traffic office) can be long.

4. Weeks 5–12: Complete your setup

Set up Swiss banking fully

Once your account is open, set up e-banking and payment standing orders (Dauerauftrag) for rent and utilities. Enable TWINT — Switzerland's dominant mobile payment app — which requires a Swiss bank account and Swiss phone number.

Public transport and Half-Fare card

If you use trains, buses, or trams regularly, the SBB Half-Fare Card (Halbtax) reduces the price of all tickets by 50%. Buy it on the SBB app or at any railway station. See our Public Transport guide.

Supplementary insurance

Your mandatory health insurance covers basic medical care. Many residents add supplementary (Zusatzversicherung / LCA) coverage for dental, glasses, or hospital room choice. Compare options on comparis.ch. See our Insurance guide.

Pillar 3a retirement savings

If you're employed in Switzerland, you can contribute up to CHF 7,258 per year (2026 figure) to a Pillar 3a account and deduct it from taxable income. Digital providers like VIAC and finpension offer ETF-based accounts with no management fees. Starting early maximises the tax benefit.

5. Key deadlines summary

6. What if you miss a deadline?

For the Anmeldung: contact your Gemeinde as soon as possible and register late. Fines vary by canton but are generally modest for a first offence if you register promptly once you realise.

For health insurance: if you miss the 90-day window, your canton of residence will assign you to an insurer. You'll be covered, but you won't have chosen the insurer or the franchise level that suits you best. You can switch insurer at the end of the year.

For driving licences: stop driving until you have a valid Swiss licence. Contact the Strassenverkehrsamt immediately — the exchange process takes time.

For any deadline you're unsure about, the ch.ch website and your cantonal administration are the authoritative sources.