Welcome to Switzerland
Your step-by-step guide for the first weeks after arrival. Follow this checklist to get settled quickly and correctly.
Day 1–3
Get a Swiss SIM card
Sunrise, Salt or Swisscom available at airports and supermarkets (Coop, Migros). Prepaid or contract.
Official linkGet CHF cash
Withdraw CHF at the airport ATM (Bancomat). Credit cards widely accepted but CHF cash needed for some shops and markets.
Locate your Gemeinde
Your local municipality office (Gemeinde/Einwohnerkontrolle) is where you register. Find it on your city's official website.
Official linkDay 4–14: Register at Gemeinde
Anmeldung (Registration)
Register at your cantonal Einwohnerkontrolle within 14 days. Bring: passport, work contract or university admission letter, rental contract.
Official linkReceive your Ausländerausweis
After Gemeinde registration, you'll receive your residence permit card (L, B, C, or G permit) by post within 2–6 weeks.
Official linkFind your cantonal Migration Office
Each canton has its own Migrationsamt. They process your permit application after Gemeinde registration.
Official linkWeek 2–4: Health Insurance
Sign up for KVG/LAMal Health Insurance
Mandatory within 3 months. You'll be backdated to arrival date. Compare on priminfo.admin.ch (official) or comparis.ch.
Official linkChoose your model
Standard, HMO (GP network) or Telmed (phone triage first). HMO/Telmed save 15–25% on premiums. Major insurers: CSS, Helsana, SWICA, Sanitas, Concordia.
Official linkWeek 2–6: Bank Account
Open a Swiss Bank Account
PostFinance: easiest to open with just passport + Gemeinde registration confirmation. Neon (digital) also fast. ZKB for Zurich residents. UBS for comprehensive services.
Official linkSet up IBAN and standing orders
Most rent, insurance and utility payments in Switzerland use IBAN bank transfers (not direct debit). Set up e-banking immediately.
Official linkMonth 1–2: Essentials
Get a Half-Fare Card (Halbtax)
CHF 185/year. Halves the cost of all SBB trains, trams, buses and lake boats. Pays for itself after 4–5 trips. Buy at any SBB counter or online.
Official linkRegister children at school
Contact your Schulverwaltung (school administration) in your Gemeinde. Children are assigned to local public school by address. Free and excellent.
Official linkRegister for language courses
Learning German/French opens doors in Switzerland. Migros Klubschule and VHS (Volkshochschule) are affordable and widely available.
Official linkNotify Indian Embassy
Register yourself with the Embassy of India in Bern or the Consulate General in Zurich/Geneva. Important for emergencies, OCI/passport services.
Official link