Arrival and Registration
Register with your municipality of residence
Anyone moving to Switzerland must register in person with the residents' registration office of their municipality within 14 days of entry, and in any case before starting work. This registration is the anchor for nearly everything that follows: residence permit card, health insurance, taxes and family reunification all depend on it. Bring a valid identity document, your rental contract, your employment contract or letter of admission, passport photographs and your civil status documents. The municipality forwards the permit application to the cantonal migration authority.
Who this applies to. This guide applies if the cross-border commuter status is no.
Checklist
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Book an appointment at the residents' registration office
Residents' registration office of your municipality; in larger cities appointments must be booked several weeks in advance.
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Prepare your ID, rental contract and employment contract
Valid passport or identity card, rental contract or confirmation of accommodation, employment contract or letter of admission, and passport photographs.
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Obtain your civil status documents
Birth and marriage certificates, depending on the canton with an apostille or certified translation; obtaining them in your country of origin often takes several weeks.
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Complete the registration within 14 days
The deadline runs from your entry; registration must in any case be completed before your first working day.
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Receive and keep the confirmation of registration
Required by your health insurer, your bank and your employer.
Costs
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Municipal registration fee CHF 20–40 · one-time · per adult
No total: the items depend on conditions and on your situation. A total without your answers would be too high or too low depending on the case — the cost calculation in your plan uses them.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this guide apply to?
This guide applies if the cross-border commuter status is no.
What does it cost?
Municipal registration fee: CHF 20–40 (one-time, per adult).
What do I need to do?
Book an appointment at the residents' registration office; Prepare your ID, rental contract and employment contract; Obtain your civil status documents; Complete the registration within 14 days; Receive and keep the confirmation of registration.
As of: 08.10.2026