Your First Week in Switzerland

Register with your commune of residence

Switzerland requires everyone taking up residence, Swiss and foreign nationals alike, to register with the commune (gemeinde, commune, comune) where they live. This is usually the single most time-sensitive task in your first week in Switzerland, because many other administrative steps depend on proof of registration.

The commune office issues a confirmation of registration and, for foreign nationals, initiates or finalises the residence permit process in coordination with the cantonal migration office. Requirements vary by commune, but you will typically need your passport, rental contract or proof of address, and, depending on your situation, an employment contract or proof of financial means.

• •Locate the commune office (bureau des habitants, einwohnerkontrolle, ufficio del controllo abitanti) for your address
• •Bring passport, rental contract or landlord confirmation, and passport photos
• •Ask about the registration deadline that applies in that commune
• •Confirm what happens next for your residence permit, since the process differs by nationality and canton

Sort out health insurance without delay

Health insurance in Switzerland is compulsory and tied to short deadlines that start from your arrival or from the start of your residence permit, not from when you get around to it. This is where many newcomers lose time, because the Swiss system relies on private insurers competing on the same mandatory basic coverage, and comparing offers takes longer than most people expect.

During the first week, the priority is not necessarily to sign a final contract but to understand your options, gather quotes from a few insurers, and know your deadline. If you already have private international health cover through your employer, check whether and for how long it can substitute for Swiss basic insurance.

Open a Swiss bank account

A Swiss bank account is generally needed to receive your salary, pay rent by standing order, and settle recurring bills such as health insurance premiums and utilities. Most banks ask for proof of address, which usually means completing the commune registration first, along with your passport and, for employees, a work contract.

Appointment availability varies significantly between banks and branches, particularly in the weeks around common relocation periods such as late summer and the new year. Booking early in your first week in Switzerland, even before your commune appointment, can save several days.

Get connected: phone, internet and a local SIM

A Swiss mobile number makes daily administration considerably easier, since many services, from banks to delivery notifications, expect a local number for verification. Prepaid SIM cards are available without a contract at kiosks, supermarkets and telecom shops, which is often the fastest option before you have proof of address for a postpaid plan.

If you are moving into a permanent home rather than temporary housing, arranging a fixed internet connection is worth doing early, since installation appointments with Swiss providers can take one to a few weeks depending on the building and provider.

• •A prepaid SIM works immediately and needs no address proof
• •A postpaid contract usually needs proof of address and sometimes a residence permit
• •Fixed internet installation can lag behind your move-in date, so book it as soon as you have an address

Handle housing and settling-in essentials

If you arrived without a signed lease, the first week is often spent between temporary housing and viewings, since the rental market in cities like Geneva, Zurich and Lausanne moves quickly and typically asks for a dossier of documents before a viewing is even granted. Having your registration confirmation, employment contract and, where relevant, a Swiss guarantor or deposit guarantee ready in advance shortens this process.

Once you have signed a lease, report your move to the commune promptly, since your registered address is what banks, insurers and the migration office will use going forward.