Living in Switzerland

16 things to know

Tap one of the first 3 for the steps and the official source.

1. Find out how your tax worksMoneyTime limit

   Tax at source, a tax return, or both.

   1. Read the federal page on tax at source.
   2. Check your canton's tax office for what applies to you, including whether your income means you must file a tax return.
   3. If you are taxed at source, ask whether filing a tax return applies to you or could be worth requesting.
   4. Note your date in your plan.

   Our guide: Tax and pillar 3a

   ch.ch: tax at sourcech.ch: completing your tax returnESTV (Federal Tax Administration): tax at source (German)Your canton's own page appears in your plan.

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2. Keep your permit safe: renewals, long trips and job changesAdmin & permitsTime limit

   Know what could affect your permit before it happens.

   1. Note when your permit card expires and when to renew.
   2. Before a long stay abroad, ask your canton's migration office what it means for your permit.
   3. If you lose your job, ask the migration office and register with the regional employment office promptly.

   ch.ch: residence permits, application and renewalSEM: your canton's migration officech.ch: unemploymentFederal law: Foreign Nationals and Integration Act, Art. 61, when a permit lapses after a stay abroad (Fedlex, German)Your canton's own page appears in your plan.

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3. Register marriages and births that happened abroadAdmin & permits

   Easier now than years later.

   1. Ask your canton's civil registry office what applies to your documents.
   2. Gather certified copies and translations.

   ch.ch: civil status certificates

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The first 3 open for everyone. The other 13 (steps, what you’ll need and the official source) open with membership. See membership

1. Check whether your salary means you must file a tax returnMoneyFor membersTaxed at source? Your income can decide whether you file as well.
2. Review your health insurance each yearHealthTime limitFor membersInsurer and deductible are not a one-off choice.
3. Understand your workplace pensionMoneyFor membersWhere it goes when you change jobs or leave.
4. Decide whether pillar 3a is for youMoneyFor membersA private pension with its own rules.
5. Decide about your home-country pensionMoneyFor membersShould you keep paying in at home?
6. Know your work basicsMoneyFor membersReference letters, notice and what job loss means.
7. Know how to leave an apartment wellHomeFor membersHandover, notice and early exit.
8. Swap to Swiss plates and sort parkingHomeTime limitFor membersThe car arrived; now it needs Swiss papers.
9. Settled status and citizenship: the long viewAdmin & permitsFor membersWhat to keep from year one.
10. Understand the school path after year oneFamilyFor membersKindergarten, school and language support are local.
11. Learn the local language that works for your lifeBelongingFor membersCounter language and playground language are different.
12. Know where to start if someone diesFamilyFor membersRare, heavy, and easier with a map.
13. If you leave: deregister, pension and final taxAdmin & permitsFor membersLeaving is its own checklist.

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