EURAXESS SWITZERLAND

2. Getting Started


2.1 Notification of Arrival

Nationals from EU/EFTA countries
If you intend to stay in Switzerland without transferring your domicile here and without taking up gainful employment, you may stay here for a maximum period of three months without notifying the competent authorities.

In the event of taking up residence here for a period exceeding three months and/or if you wish to pursue gainful employment, you should notify your commune of residence within 14 days of your arrival. Notification must, in any case, be effected before starting a job.

Other countries (so-called Third States)
From the moment you cross the border to take up residence in Switzerland, you have 14 days in which to register with the authorities in your commune. As a rule, the commune will then send your papers to the competent cantonal authority, which will deal with your application and issue the residence permit. Please present the following documents:

  • valid passport (for yourself and for each member of your family accompanying you)  
  • certificate from your health insurance provider (which proves that you are a member of a recognised health insurance scheme)  
  • passport photograph (of yourself and each member of your family accompanying you)  
  • registry office documents (e.g. family record book, marriage certificate, birth certificates of minor children, etc.)  
  • employment contract/confirmation of enrolment at a university

(Source: www.swissemigration.ch)

Quick Links:

List of Swiss communes