Expat guide to Switzerland 2026: from visa to first day at work
Switzerland welcomes over 100,000 new foreign residents per year, drawn by the highest professional salaries in Europe, exceptional quality of life, political stability, and the unique concentration of international organisations in Geneva. The transition, however, involves a dense administrative sequence that is less intuitive than in most EU countries. This hub guide covers the full arrival checklist (work permits, health insurance, bank accounts, housing, schools, and taxes) with links to each topic's detailed guide.
Switzerland is not an EU member, which means free movement applies to EU/EFTA citizens under the bilateral agreements but not to third-country nationals. The administrative sequencing differs significantly depending on your nationality. For EU/EFTA citizens: the permit is obtained locally after arrival, within 90 days, with minimal bureaucracy. For non-EU/EFTA nationals: the work permit must be approved before arrival, through a cantonal process that requires the employer's sponsorship and proof that no qualifying local candidate was available.
- Week 1: Register with the commune (contrôle des habitants/Einwohneramt). Mandatory within 8–14 days of arrival depending on canton.
- Week 1–2: Open a Swiss bank account (digital bank for immediate needs: Neon or Yuh).
- Month 1: Subscribe to LAMal health insurance (deadline 3 months; earlier is better to avoid backdated premium shock).
- Month 1–3: Obtain work/residence permit (B permit for EU citizens is processed by the cantonal migration office).
- Month 1–6: Find permanent housing (rental market is very tight in Geneva and Zurich: start immediately).
- If children: enrol in cantonal public school (immediate and free) or international school (apply months in advance).
Work permits: the foundation of legal residency
Switzerland has several permit categories: B permit (residence permit, 1–5 years renewable, for most employed residents), C permit (settlement permit, permanent, granted after 5–10 years depending on nationality), L permit (short-term, under 1 year), and G permit (cross-border/frontalier for those living abroad and working in Switzerland). For detailed information on each, see our Swiss work permit guide.
The first 48 hours: commune registration
The most time-sensitive administrative task on arrival is registering with your commune of residence. In Geneva, this is done at the OCPM (Office cantonal de la population et des migrations). In Vaud, at the commune administration. In Zurich, at the Einwohnerkontrolle. You will need: your passport, lease/accommodation address, and job contract. Registration is mandatory within 8 days in Vaud, 14 days in Geneva, and 14 days in most other cantons. Failure to register on time creates administrative complications with your permit and tax status.
Schools for expat families
Cantonal public schools are free and immediately available — by law, all children residing in Switzerland have the right to attend public school. The language of instruction matches the canton (French in Romandie, German in Zurich). Public school integration can be challenging for older children without the local language — schools typically offer support classes (classes d'accueil).
International schools (following IB, French Bac, British curriculum, or American curricula) are private and expensive: CHF 25,000–45,000/year per child. Geneva and Zurich each have a large selection. Some international organisations and employers subsidise international school fees as part of the expat package — verify this during salary negotiation. Waiting lists at Geneva's major international schools can be 1–2 years; apply before arriving.
Tax registration for new residents
Foreign nationals with a B permit are typically taxed at source (impôt à la source / Quellensteuer) — the tax is deducted monthly from salary by the employer and remitted directly to the tax authorities. You do not file an annual return in the first years unless your income exceeds a cantonal threshold or you have income from multiple sources. Once you obtain a C permit (permanent residence), you file an annual tax return like a Swiss citizen. Cantonal tax advisors can assist with optimising deductions available even under at-source taxation (professional expenses, insurance premiums, pension contributions above LPP minimum).