Relocation to Chur

Canton and languages in Graubünden

Chur is the capital of Graubünden, the largest canton by area and the only one with three official languages: German, Romansh and Italian. In the city of Chur itself, German is the language of daily life, administration and most schooling, while Romansh remains present in signage, culture and in valleys further south and east of the canton.

For an incoming household, this means that administrative correspondence, employment contracts and most public services in Chur will be in German (often Swiss German dialect spoken locally, with Standard German used in writing). Anyone without German is not excluded from daily life, but a working knowledge of German makes integration considerably smoother, particularly for school-age children and for finding local services outside the main tourist circuit.

Housing search in Chur

The rental market in Chur is smaller and tighter than in the large Swiss cities, with fewer listings turning over at any given time and strong competition for well-located apartments in or near the old town. Housing further out, in surrounding villages and along the valley, tends to offer more space and can still keep commuting times to the city centre short.

Because the local market is thin, a home search benefits from a head start: registering with agencies before arrival, being ready to view and decide quickly, and having a complete application file (proof of income, reference letters, extract from the debt collection register) prepared in advance. My Swiss Relocation coordinates viewings, prepares application files and negotiates with landlords and agencies on your behalf, drawing on local contacts built up over years of activity in Graubünden.

Schools and childcare

Chur has a full network of public schools operating in German, following the Graubünden cantonal curriculum, alongside daycare and pre-school (Kita and Spielgruppe) options for younger children. Public school places are organised by residential address, so the choice of neighbourhood has a direct effect on which school a child will attend.

Families who want schooling in English or another international curriculum should plan carefully: options are far more limited in Chur than in Geneva or Zurich, and this can mean a longer commute or a choice between the international offering and staying close to the city centre. We help families weigh these trade-offs early, before committing to a specific address or school application.

Permits and the cantonal migration office

Anyone relocating to Chur for more than 90 days needs to register with the Graubünden cantonal migration authorities and, depending on nationality and the purpose of the stay, obtain the corresponding residence permit. EU/EFTA nationals and non-EU nationals follow different procedures, and non-EU permits for employment are generally tied to a quota and to an employer's application.

Registration with the commune (Chur or the relevant surrounding municipality) also needs to happen shortly after arrival, and is a separate step from the cantonal permit process. Because procedures and required documents can vary by canton, our consultants coordinate with qualified specialists and the Graubünden authorities directly, and handle the paperwork so nothing is missed or delayed.

• •Confirming which permit category applies to your situation
• •Assembling and submitting the application file to the cantonal migration office
• •Registering with the commune of residence in Chur or nearby
• •Coordinating renewal timelines once you are settled

Transport and daily life

Chur's train station connects directly to Zurich and onward to the rest of the Swiss network, as well as to the Rhaetian Railway lines that serve Graubünden's valleys and resorts. Within the city, most daily needs are reachable on foot or by local bus, and the compact layout means many households find they need a car mainly for excursions into the surrounding countryside rather than for daily commuting.

Winters bring snow and require some adjustment for households arriving from milder climates, from tyres and clothing to driving conditions on mountain roads. Local orientation on these practicalities is part of what a settling-in service covers, so that the adjustment period is shorter.

Quality of life and why families choose Chur

Chur suits people who want proximity to nature and outdoor life, alpine hiking, cycling and winter sports on the doorstep, combined with a functioning small city rather than a rural village. It draws professionals working in tourism, insurance, energy and public administration, as well as executives and their families who value the lifestyle Graubünden offers over the density of Zurich or Geneva.

The trade-off is a smaller international community and fewer English-language services than in the larger Swiss cities, which is a genuine consideration for families weighing a move here against other locations.