Moving to Switzerland as a student is not a small version of a work assignment. The rules differ, the timeline starts with an admission offer rather than a contract, and the employer's role is often indirect. Your employee may be the student. Or your employee's son or daughter may be the student, within a family move.
This page gives HR and mobility teams a clear order of work. It does not give personal advice. A specialist reviews each case through the request at the bottom of the page.
Start with who the student is
Three situations come up most often in corporate mobility:
- A transferee who is also studying. For example, an employee sent to Switzerland who enrols part-time on a course.
- A dependant of a transferee. The student arrives with a family. See the family with children guide for the wider household picture.
- A student placed by your organisation. For example, an intern or sponsored candidate.
Your policy should say which of these it covers. Costs, support and responsibility for paperwork depend on the answer.
Two regimes decide the route
Switzerland applies two regimes. The first covers nationals of the EU and EFTA states, under the free movement agreement (ALCP). The second covers nationals of third countries, outside the EU and EFTA, under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (LEI) (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM).
Your student's nationality, not the sending country, decides which regime applies. A student leaving London, Delhi or Dubai may hold any of these nationalities. Detailed conditions for each regime are not set out here. The cantonal migration office and the SEM confirm them for each case.
Use the permit finder for a first orientation. For the wider picture, read Moving to Switzerland.
Order of steps for the employer
- Confirm the student's nationality and status. This fixes the regime and the documents your employee must gather abroad.
- Fix who owns the process. Decide whether the student, the employee or a provider submits the application.
- Plan the permit before the move. Do not book a start date, shipment or lease until the authorities have decided. A permit is never certain. The authorities grant it, not the employer and not this site.
- Prepare housing from abroad. A student often searches without a Swiss payslip. Check how the rental file checker can help, and see the home search service.
- Register on arrival. See the section below.
- Take out health insurance. See the section below.
For a timeline view, use the relocation calendar.
Register with the commune
On arrival, your student must report to the commune of residence. The usual period is within 14 days, although it may vary by commune or canton (ch.ch). Confirm the local rule before the move.
At the counter, expect to show:
- an identity document;
- the residence or work permit, where one applies;
- proof of health insurance.
Because proof of insurance is requested at registration, the insurance question belongs before arrival, not after.
Health insurance is compulsory
Anyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance no later than three months after taking up residence. If the student meets that deadline, cover is backdated to the date of residence, and premiums are due from that date. If the deadline is missed, cover starts on affiliation. A surcharge may apply for an unexcused delay, and the canton may assign an insurer (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH).
For your policy, this means one thing. Decide who pays premiums and who handles enrolment, and write it down before departure. Exemptions and special cases depend on the student's situation. A specialist examines them in the request.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a student follows the same route as the sponsoring employee.
- Treating the first weeks as optional for registration and insurance.
- Signing a housing commitment before the authorities have answered.
- Leaving the policy silent on who pays what.
More examples are in common mistakes when moving to Switzerland.
What a relocation provider can do
This site connects you with relocation companies in Switzerland. Depending on the request, we put you in touch with the one that fits the need. Typical services are immigration support, a home search and a settling-in service. To start, use the relocation request.
Frequently asked questions
Does a student need a permit to move to Switzerland?
It depends on nationality and on the planned stay. Nationals of EU and EFTA states fall under the free movement regime. Third-country nationals fall under a separate regime (SEM). The authorities decide each case.
Who applies, the student or the employer?
That depends on your policy and on the route. A provider can handle the process on behalf of the employee, or the student can apply. State it in your policy before the move starts.
How soon must a student register on arrival?
The usual period is 14 days, and it may differ by commune or canton (ch.ch). Check the local rule before departure.
When must a student take out health insurance?
No later than three months after taking up residence (FOPH). If the deadline is met, cover is backdated to the date of residence. Proof of insurance is also requested when registering with the commune.
Can the employer guarantee a permit?
No. Only the authorities grant a permit. An employer or provider can prepare a complete file, but the decision is not theirs.
Where can we start?
Use the permit finder for a first view, then send the request at the bottom of the page.