6 - 12 Months before moving to Switzerland
Creation of a budget plan. What will the future cost of living look like? How much salary must come in and what can be planned for the rent?
Examination of the application documents. Is my resume up to date? Are all references and certificates complete? Possibly have new application photos taken.
Have your teeth checked and complete any outstanding dental treatments. These are quite expensive in Switzerland later on and have to be paid for themselves.
Have preventive medical check-ups and check vaccinations.
Birth certificate and possible marriage certificate available? If not, organize these in advance. If necessary, this will be much more cumbersome from Switzerland.
Inform extensively about Switzerland!
2 - 6 months before moving to Switzerland
Terminate all contracts that are no longer needed within the specified period. These are, for example: job, apartment, electricity, gas, GEZ, TV connection, telephone, Internet, mobile phone, household insurance, liability insurance, car insurance, automobile club, other insurance policies that are no longer relevant, standing orders, subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, fitness club, other memberships, etc. Check with the insurance companies which are also valid in Switzerland.
As a privately insured person, clarify health insurance in advance, especially with regard to a later return. If you have statutory health insurance, apply for a declaration of acceptance of benefits for the transitional period.
Check identity card and passport for validity. Should not be too short. After deregistration in the home country, the identity card and passport is extended via the embassy or consulate. Can be more tedious depending on the place of residence and takes longer.
Search for an apartment and obtain Schufa information first for the apartment application. Should not be older than 14 days and is accepted as an alternative to the Swiss debt collection information.
Household: What is taken, what is sold and what is disposed of? Start with clearing out early.
Organize the move to Switzerland. and organize helpers in time. If the move is not carried out by yourself, get quotes from moving companies. When choosing a moving company, make sure that they have experience with moving abroad.
If moving with pets: Check vaccinations and import rules.
Keep or close bank accounts? In case of liquidation, it is essential to clarify the transfer of funds with the bank.
One month before moving to Switzerland
Register telephone, television and Internet connection of the new apartment.
Take out health insurance. Health insurance is compulsory from the first day. Even if you have up to three months to find a health insurance, you pay the contributions retroactively from the first day. Therefore it is better to look for a health insurance before. At the latest when you register in the municipality you will be asked for your health insurance anyway. Good deals and advice on choosing health insurance and supplemental insurance are available at About Swiss.
Inform about all other insurances and take them out in time. There are also very good offers and advice especially for emigrants on About Swiss.
Items of the move already when packing the moving boxes roughly keep on a separate list. Will be needed later at customs.
With school-age children: Inform which school or kindergarten (day-care centre) is responsible and register in time and deregister in the old school or kindergarten.
With regular use of medication. Plan a stock of 1-2 months. Inform about comparable preparations in Switzerland.
Place a forwarding order with the post office well in advance of the move.
Farewell party !
Tell friends and family your new address.
One week before the moving to Switzerland
Pack the last moving boxes.
Prepare cleaned apartment.
Hand over the apartment (do not forget the protocol).
Deregistration at the residents' registration office.
On the day of the relocation
Do I have all the documents I need? Confirmation of deregistration, identity card or passport, employment contract, rental contract, driving licence, customs form and list of removal goods.
Important! Do not take extremely large amounts of cash with you. When exporting from the EU of 10'000 Euro and more, the origin must be declared. Imports of 10,000 francs or more must be declared to Swiss customs and the origin must also be declared. It is better to clarify the transfer of larger sums with the bank.
Entry with the removal goods must take place during the opening hours of customs.
In the first week after moving to Switzerland
Registration with the municipality.
Apply for a residence permit. Can often be done at the municipality at the same time as registration. Otherwise at the Office for Migration.
Opening a bank account.
Until one year after relocation
Re-registering the car. Important ! The deadline is 12 months for vehicles that have been imported as removal goods and only 1 month if the vehicle has been imported as a new car.
Exchange your driving licence for a Swiss driving licence.
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