HowToSwiss
Updated June 2026 — Includes latest permit & insurance deadlines
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Your personal guide to settling in Switzerland

Choose your canton and situation to get clear, practical next steps for registration, permits, insurance, taxes, housing, salary, and your first 90 days.

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Free canton-specific checklists for newcomers to Switzerland. No signup required.

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B PermitHealth InsuranceAnmeldungSalaryTaxesHousingFamily MoveFirst 90 Days
  • Updated June 2026
  • All 26 cantons covered
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Start with your canton

Answer a few simple questions and get a checklist based on where you live and what stage you are in.

Saves to your browser. No signup. Change canton or stage any time.

Popular newcomer paths

Jump straight to the checklist that matches your situation.

I am planning to moveI just arrivedMost commonI am moving with familyI need help with my permitI want to compare cantonsI want to calculate salary

Essential Swiss relocation tools

Free calculators and comparisons to make better decisions before and after you move.

Salary Calculator

Net salary after tax, pension and insurance.

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Canton Comparison

Compare taxes, rent and lifestyle side by side.

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Tax Comparison

See income tax by canton at your salary.

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First 90-Day Checklist

Every task in your first three months in CH.

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Popular Switzerland guides

Plain-English explainers on the topics newcomers ask about most.

All guides →

B Permit

Residence permit basics for EU and non-EU.

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Anmeldung

Register at your Gemeinde within 14 days.

Read guide

Health Insurance

Choose Krankenkasse and meet the 3-month deadline.

Read guide

Quellensteuer

Tax at source: who pays, how, and how to reclaim.

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Pillar 3a

Tax-deductible private pension explained.

Read guide

Public Transport

GA, Halbtax and Swiss train tickets for newcomers.

Read guide

Explore Swiss cities

Discover what life is like in Switzerland's most popular expat destinations.

Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich

Finance hub, lake views, most expat-friendly.

Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva

International city, UN HQ, French-speaking.

Basel, Switzerland
Basel

Pharma capital, Rhine riverside, tri-border life.

Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne

Olympic capital on Lake Geneva, university-driven.

View all Swiss city guides

Why trust HowToSwiss

An independent, free resource built for people actually moving to Switzerland.

Built for newcomers

Plain English for expats, workers, students and families.

Canton-specific guidance

Tailored to all 26 cantons — rules, deadlines and links.

Practical first 90 days

Step-by-step tasks for the weeks after you arrive.

Based on official sources

References to Swiss federal and cantonal websites where possible.

Updated regularly

Permit, insurance and tax info kept current each year.

Free to use

No paywall, no signup. Your checklist saves to your browser.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first after arriving in Switzerland?
Within 14 days of moving in, register at your local Gemeinde (Anmeldung) with your passport, rental contract and employment proof. Then take out mandatory health insurance (Krankenkasse) within 3 months, open a Swiss bank account, and exchange your driving licence if needed.
Do I need health insurance immediately after moving to Switzerland?
You must enrol in Swiss basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) within 3 months of arrival. Coverage is then backdated to your arrival date, so you're insured from day one. EU EHIC and most international plans do not satisfy the Swiss mandate.
Does the checklist change by canton?
Yes. Deadlines, tax rates, average rents, insurance premiums, registration websites and language all change between cantons. Pick your canton and HowToSwiss tailors every step — including links to your Gemeinde.
Can I use HowToSwiss before I move?
Absolutely — the 'Planning to move' and 'Moving soon' checklists cover everything from permits and housing to schools and Swiss bank accounts before you arrive.
Is HowToSwiss free?
Yes. All checklists, guides, calculators and canton comparisons are free. No signup is required — your progress saves locally in your browser.

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