The 90-Day Moving to Switzerland Checklist (Printable Guide)

Relocating is 80% logistics and 20% emotion. To ensure the emotion is “Excitement” and not “Panic,” you need a plan.

Here is the master checklist used by professional relocation agencies.

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Timeline Overview

Phase	When	Focus Area
Phase 1	3 Months Out	Permits, home country wind-down
Phase 2	2 Months Out	Housing search begins
Phase 3	1 Month Out	Logistics, temporary housing
Phase 4	Arrival Week	Registration, banking, settling in

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Phase 1: 3 Months Before Departure

Permits & Legal

• Check permit eligibility — EU vs. Non-EU rules differ significantly
• Confirm employer is handling permit application — Most employers manage this
• Gather required documents — Passport, employment contract, diplomas, marriage/birth certificates
• Apostille important documents — Some countries require this for Swiss recognition

Home Country Wind-Down

• Cancel gym memberships — Many require 3 months’ notice
• Notify internet/cable providers — Check cancellation terms
• Cancel utility contracts — Electricity, gas, water
• Notify landlord — Standard notice periods apply
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions — Streaming, magazines, newspapers
• Notify tax authorities — You’re leaving the country

Start Your Research

• Request relocation quotes — Use ReloFinder to get anonymous quotes from 3+ agencies
• Research health insurance options — Review KVG, franchise, supplementary cover, and hospital-cover trade-offs, and compare premiums on priminfo.admin.ch
• Research schools (if applicable) — International schools have waiting lists

Pro Tip

Confused by paperwork? The ReloFinder AI Agent can draft motivation letters for migration offices and explain cantonal requirements.

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Phase 2: 2 Months Before Departure

Housing — The Critical Phase

This is the bottleneck. Start now.

• Start the flat search — Portals, off-market listings and, if you want one, a home-search consultant

Action: Start the flat search now. Off-market platforms such as Offlist.ch (operated by Loaded AG, which also operates ReloFinder) let landlords and agencies see your profile before you arrive.

• Set your housing criteria — Size, location, budget, must-haves
• Get liability insurance — Required for rental applications

Tip: Swiss landlords often ask for liability insurance proof during the application process, not just at signing. Get it now via Insurance-Guide.ch.

• Prepare tenant dossier — Employment contract, salary slips, references, ID copies
• Set alerts on public portals — Homegate, ImmoScout24

Schools (If Applicable)

• Contact international schools — ZIS, Ecolint, ISBC, etc.
• Schedule assessment visits — Many require in-person evaluations
• Submit applications — Waiting lists are long; apply to multiple schools
• Confirm enrollment — Secure spot with deposit

Customs Preparation

• Prepare Form 18.44 — Swiss customs declaration for household goods
• Inventory your belongings — Detailed list required for duty-free import
• Photograph valuables — Electronics, art, jewelry for insurance
• Research car import rules — If bringing a vehicle

Form 18.44 Details

What It Is	Why It Matters
Customs declaration form	Required to import household goods duty-free
Lists all items	Must be completed before shipping
Proves “change of residence”	Shows you’re moving, not just importing goods

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Phase 3: 1 Month Before Departure

Temporary Housing (If Needed)

If you haven’t secured a long-term lease yet:

• Book a business apartment — 1-2 month rental for your arrival period
• Confirm address for registration — You need an address to register in Switzerland
• Research short-term options — Serviced apartments, Airbnb (30+ day stays), corporate housing

Health Insurance Research

You don’t need to sign yet, but understand your options:

• Review your KVG options — Understand “Franchise”, deductibles, models, and supplementary cover timing
• Calculate your expected healthcare usage — High usage = low franchise; healthy = high franchise
• Compare providers — Same coverage, different prices
• Note the 3-month deadline — Coverage is retroactive from arrival

Compare premiums for your canton → priminfo.admin.ch

For new arrivals, the setup in order, from the three-month deadline onward, is in health insurance for foreigners in Switzerland by Expat Savvy, which, like ReloFinder, is run by Loaded AG.

Moving Logistics

• Book moving company — Get quotes via ReloFinder directory or through your relocation agency
• Confirm shipping dates — Align with your arrival
• Pack non-essential items first — Leave essentials for carry-on
• Arrange pet transport — Special regulations for animals
• Confirm customs documentation — Form 18.44 complete and ready

Final Home Country Tasks

• Close bank accounts — Or keep one for trailing expenses
• Forward mail — Set up forwarding service
• Say goodbyes — The emotional part
• Final doctor/dentist visits — Before insurance transition

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Phase 4: Arrival Week

Day 1-3: Essentials

Task	Where	What to Bring
Get Swiss phone number	Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt store	Passport, credit card
Buy SBB travel card	SBB.ch or train station	Payment method
Explore neighborhood	Your new area	Curiosity

Day 4-7: Registration

• Register at municipality — Within 14 days of arrival

Where	What to Bring	What You Get
Local Gemeinde/Kreisbüro	Passport, rental contract, employment contract	Registration confirmation

• Collect residence permit — After registration is processed
• Confirm address with employer — For payroll and tax purposes

Some communes set a shorter deadline or see new arrivals by appointment only. The guide to registering at your commune on expat-services.ch, a free directory of English-speaking providers with guides (run by Loaded AG, which also operates ReloFinder), explains what to bring and where the rules differ.

Day 7-14: Banking & Insurance

• Open bank account — Bring registration confirmation

Bank Type	Best For	Timeline
Traditional (UBS, ZKB)	Full services	1-2 weeks
Digital (Neon, Yuh)	Quick setup	Same day

• Start health insurance enrollment — Begin the process
• Finalize liability insurance — If not done pre-arrival
• Get household insurance — Protect your belongings

Week 2-4: Settling In

• Set up utilities — Usually handled by landlord/property manager
• Register for Billag/Serafe — TV/radio tax (they’ll contact you)
• Find a GP — Register with a general practitioner
• Explore public transport — Get familiar with routes
• Join expat groups — InterNations, local Facebook groups, meetups

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The Complete Checklist Summary

3 Months Out

• Verify permit eligibility
• Cancel home country contracts
• Request agency quotes via ReloFinder

2 Months Out

• Start the flat search ← Critical
• Get liability insurance
• Apply to schools (if applicable)
• Prepare customs Form 18.44

1 Month Out

• Book temporary housing (if needed)
• Research health insurance (compare premiums on priminfo.admin.ch)
• Book movers
• Complete customs documentation

Arrival Week

• Register at municipality (within 14 days)
• Open bank account
• Get Swiss phone number
• Buy SBB travel card
• Start health insurance enrollment

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Need Help with the Details?

If this list feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone.

Full Service

Hire a professional relocation agency to manage everything.

Compare Agencies → ReloFinder

Self-Service with Support

Hire help for single tasks and do the rest yourself.

ReloFinder lists Swiss relocation agencies ranked by verified Google reviews, with their services, languages and published prices, so you can hire help for only the steps you need (often the flat search or the permit file).

Get matched for one task or the whole move →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I start planning my move to Switzerland?

Start at least 3 months before your intended move date. This allows time for permit processing (2-4 weeks for EU, 2-3 months for non-EU), housing search (often the longest phase in competitive markets), cancelling home country contracts (many require 3 months’ notice), and organizing customs documentation.

What is Form 18.44 for Swiss customs?

Form 18.44 is the customs declaration for importing household goods duty-free when relocating to Switzerland. You must complete it before shipping your belongings and present it at customs upon arrival. It lists all items you’re importing and proves you’re changing residence, not just importing goods for sale.

How long do I have to register after arriving in Switzerland?

You must register at your local municipality (Gemeinde/Kreisbüro) within 14 days of arrival. Bring your passport, rental contract, and employment contract. Registration is required to receive your residence permit, open a bank account, and enroll in health insurance.

When should I start looking for housing in Switzerland?

Start 2-3 months before your move date. In competitive markets like Zürich (0.11% vacancy in the city on 1 June 2026), the housing search is typically the longest phase of relocation. Search the portals and off-market listings in parallel to make the most of your timeline.

What should I do in my first week in Switzerland?

Priority tasks in order: Get a Swiss phone number (Day 1), buy an SBB travel card, register at your municipality (within 14 days), open a bank account (requires registration confirmation), and start your health insurance enrollment process. Most essential tasks can be completed in the first few days.

Do I need temporary housing when moving to Switzerland?

If you haven’t secured permanent housing on your own or through an agency, yes — book a “business apartment” or serviced apartment for your first 1-2 months. This gives you a local address for registration, a base for apartment viewings, and breathing room to continue your search.

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Editorial Note

Methodology: This checklist reflects best practices from professional relocation agencies managing Swiss relocations. Timelines may vary based on individual circumstances.

Last Updated: January 6, 2026

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Save this checklist and work through it phase by phase. Start with housing. For help with one step or all of them, compare agencies on ReloFinder or get matched with two or three.