A first month in Switzerland checklist for a transferee rests on two dated obligations. Everything else on the list supports them. This page sets out the order of the steps, who normally owns each one, and where the deadlines can slip.
Your employee arrives from abroad and will not know the local vocabulary. Each Swiss term below is explained at first use.
The two deadlines that structure the first weeks
Registration with the municipality (the Gemeinde or commune) is due within 14 days of arrival. The exact period can vary by municipality and canton, so the local office confirms it. The detailed procedure is in registering with the municipality within 14 days.
Basic health insurance (LAMal in French, KVG in German) is compulsory for anyone living in Switzerland. It has to be taken out no later than three months after taking up residence. If the deadline is met, cover is retroactive to the date of residence and premiums are due retroactively. If it is missed, cover starts at affiliation, a premium surcharge can apply for an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer.
Checklist at a glance
Arrival day
- Check that the permit or entry documents are with the transferee, not in shipped luggage.
- Collect keys and sign the handover report for the home.
- Note the address exactly as the municipality will record it.
- Keep a copy of the employment contract and passport page.
Housing set-up is covered in the settling-in service and the home search service.
Registration with the municipality
At the municipal office, the usual documents are an identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. Policies differ on who books the appointment. Decide this before departure, not on arrival.
Rules differ by canton and sometimes by commune. A specialist examines the individual file when a request is made through the form at the bottom of this page. The permit side of the process is described in immigration support, and the permit finder gives a first orientation.
Health insurance in the first weeks
Insurance is easier to arrange early. Comparing offers, choosing a deductible and obtaining the certificate all take time, and the certificate may be asked for at registration.
For a family, each member is covered individually. The family onboarding guide lists the extra steps for spouses and children.
Practical set-up
- Open a bank account once the registration confirmation is available.
- Arrange mobile and internet service at the new address.
- Confirm school or childcare places. See the school choice guide.
- Review the foreign driving licence position. See exchanging a foreign driving licence.
- Diary the later deadlines using the relocation calendar.
What typically goes wrong
Three patterns recur on assignments from the UK, the US, India, Germany, France, Canada and elsewhere:
- Registration is treated as optional because the permit was issued abroad. The municipal step is separate.
- Insurance is left until the end of the period, which leaves little room for a delay at the insurer.
- Responsibilities are unclear. The transferee assumes HR will book appointments, and HR assumes the provider will.
More examples appear in common mistakes when moving to Switzerland and in myths about moving to Switzerland.
Where this fits in the wider plan
This list covers the arrival period only. Pre-departure tasks are in the checklist before departure, the longer view is in the checklist for the first three months, and the full sequence is in the relocation timeline. A broader summary is in moving to Switzerland checklist. For a version tailored to a specific transferee, use the personalised checklist.
If your policy relies on a managed service, relocation services in Switzerland explains the options, and how it works describes how we connect you with a suitable provider.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one single deadline for everything after arrival?
No. No single period covers all steps. The verified deadlines are 14 days for municipal registration and three months for basic health insurance. Other steps depend on the canton or the provider.
Who registers the employee with the municipality?
The transferee normally attends in person with the required documents. Employers often book the appointment or brief the employee. The municipal office states the exact requirements.
What documents are usually asked for at registration?
An identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. Requirements can vary by municipality, so the office confirms the list.
What happens if health insurance is arranged late?
Within three months, cover is retroactive to the date of residence. After that, cover starts at affiliation, a premium surcharge can apply, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer.
Does the deadline run from arrival or from residence?
The insurance deadline runs from taking up residence in Switzerland. The registration deadline runs from arrival. Both are best diarised from the same day.
Can the checklist be adapted to a family move?
Yes. Children, spouses and school places add steps. The family onboarding guide covers them, and a specialist can examine the specific case through the request at the bottom of the page.