WELCOME TO THE CANTON OF VAUD

To enable you to quickly find your bearings in your place of residence, the Welcome Portal facilitates your procedures.

Proposed by the Bureau Cantonal pour l’Intégration des Etrangers et la Prévention du racisme (BCI), it provides you with the information necessary for your installation, and is regularly updated.

The portal allows you to better understand the institutional system (residence permit, school, insurance, employment, etc.) and the administrative procedures to be undertaken, but also to identify the contact persons who can help you.

Health insurance premium increase (LAMal) - What to do?

In 2024, premiums in canton of Vaud will increase. The Department of Health and Social Action (DSAS) provides information on how to optimise your premium on www.vd.ch/primes.

This page explains how to change insurer or model. Sample letters are also provided. A video is also available. The page also provides information on regional information sessions for the general public, organised by regional associations.

Visit the website vd.ch/primes

ON YOUR ARRIVAL, WHAT YOU MUST DO…

1. REGISTER UPON YOUR ARRIVAL

Personally declare yourself to the Contrôle des Habitants of your municipality of residence within 8 days of moving in, with the following documents:

  • A valid identity document with entry visa, if applicable
  • Your rental lease with your name mentioned. If your name does not appear on the rental lease, you must produce:
    • A dated and signed certificate from your landlord (your name must appear on this document)
  • A passport photo

More abouT residence permits

2. TAKE OUT HEALTH INSURANCE

Register for a health insurance (mandatory in Switzerland), at the latest 3 months after your arrival.

Find the closest social insurance agency

More information

3. FOR YOUR CHILDREN

If you have children of school age (4 years old or more), you have to enrol them as quickly as possible in the nearest school.

More information

4. FIND A JOB

Getting a job means you will have a salary and be financially independent, but also allows you to start social links and to be useful in the society.

More information

Practical information

Accommodation

Health

French courses

Pratical life

Interpreting and translations

Leisure and social life

Civil status

Useful contacts

Do you have specific questions?

Your privileged contacts

The Fraternity of the Centre Social Protestant (CSP) and the Habitants Registration office of your municipality are at your disposal to help you with administrative procedures.

Visit CSP's website

“Welcome” brochure

To facilitate the settling of the newcomers in the canton, the brochure “Welcome to the canton of Vaud” (available in 16 languages) contains the practical information you need.

Download the brochure in English

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Listed on one page, you can access the most frequently asked questions on various topics.

Visit the page

Find out more

Administration's website

It contains the useful information on integration and prevention of racism matters in the canton of Vaud. The site is dedicated to migrants, Swiss citizens as well as to professionals in these fields.

Visit website

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Published four times a year, our newsletter presents various news of the BCI and its regional offices (projects, activities, publications, etc.).

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