A relocation timeline for Switzerland gives your team a fixed order of work. Some steps cannot start before others are finished. Permits come first, then housing, then shipping, then registrations.
This page sets out a typical sequence, from three months before departure to three months after arrival. Real cases vary by canton, nationality and employer policy. Treat the stages as a planning frame, not a promise of outcome.
The timeline at a glance
Before departure: the planning stage
Start with the permit route. The route depends on your transferee's nationality and the type of assignment. Use the permit finder for a first orientation, then read about Swiss work permits.
For EU/EFTA staff, see hiring or transferring EU/EFTA nationals. For other nationalities, read third-country nationals in Switzerland and check permit quotas for 2026. The authority, not your company, decides whether a permit is granted.
Three decisions belong to the employer at this stage:
- Which policy applies: lump sum or managed service.
- Who handles immigration filings and who pays for them.
- Who briefs the home search and by when.
If you use external support, the relocation services overview shows what each service covers. The checklist before departure lists the documents to gather abroad.
Departure month: shipping and paperwork
Shipping is the step most often started too late. Personal effects can enter Switzerland free of customs duty for people taking up residence. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) requires form 18.44, signed and in two copies.
Items need to have been used abroad for six months before the change of residence. Import is expected to be linked in time to the move, and the office describes a window of two years as unproblematic (FOCBS). Your mover or the transferee can confirm details with the customs office.
Also in this month:
- Confirm the housing contract and arrival date with the landlord or agent. The home search service and the rental file checker help here.
- Compare locations with the city comparator if the site is still open.
- Ask the transferee to collect civil documents that the commune will want to see.
Arrival: registration
Registration with the commune is the first legal step on site. The usual period is 14 days from arrival (ch.ch). It can differ by commune or canton, so confirm it locally.
Typical documents are an identity document, the residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. Missing documents slow the process. Your transferee should therefore carry originals on the day of arrival.
The first weeks
Once registered, the practical tasks follow. The settling-in service covers many of them. The first three months checklist lists them in order. Typical items are:
- Open a bank account
- Arrange a mobile contract
- Choose a school or childcare, using the school choice guide
- Confirm health insurance cover
Months one to three: insurance and licences
Basic health insurance is compulsory for anyone domiciled in Switzerland. It is to be concluded no later than three months after taking up residence (FOPH). If the deadline is met, cover applies back to the date of residence, and premiums are due retroactively. If it is missed, cover starts at affiliation, a premium surcharge can apply, and the canton may assign an insurer.
A foreign driving licence is valid for 12 months after taking up residence, with no continuous stay abroad of more than three months. Beyond that a Swiss licence is required. The exchange request is to be filed no later than one month before the 12 months end (Canton of Zurich). Some applicants face a test, depending on the licence origin.
Use the relocation calendar to put these dates in one view for each transferee.
Common timing errors
- Starting the permit step after the housing search.
- Booking removals before checking the customs form.
- Treating registration as optional for the first weeks.
- Leaving insurance until the last week of the period.
See also common mistakes and the full moving checklist. For the wider picture, read moving to Switzerland and how it works. To discuss your case, use the request at the bottom of the page.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead does relocation planning start?
About three months before departure is a practical starting point. Permit processing and housing both depend on the authority and the market, so earlier is often better.
What is the first legal step after arrival?
Registration with the commune. The usual period is 14 days (ch.ch), but local rules vary.
When is health insurance required?
Basic insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence (FOPH). Cover is retroactive if the deadline is met.
Can my employee keep driving with a foreign licence?
Yes, for 12 months after taking up residence, under the conditions set by the authorities. After that a Swiss licence is required (Canton of Zurich).
Are removal goods taxed on import?
Personal effects can be imported free of customs duty for people moving to Switzerland, subject to conditions such as six months of prior use abroad (FOCBS).
Who decides the permit outcome?
The cantonal and federal authorities. No adviser or employer can assure an outcome.
Does the timeline differ for families?
Yes. Family reunification, school places and childcare add steps. See the glossary for terms, and the request form for case review.