The following 4 steps are important:
Give yourself up to the Habitants Registration office of the commune where you now live within 8 days after your arrival.
You need to take the following documents with you:
Valid identity papers with entrance visa if applicable
Civil status document translated into French, German, Italian or, as an option, English
Single: your birth certificate
Married: your marriage certificate
Married but separated: separation agreement with the exact date of separation of the couple and family registry book
Divorced: final and enforceable judgment of divorce and marriage certificate
Your rental lease or purchase/sale agreement. If your name is not mentioned on the lease or purchase/sale agreement
If you have already received it, your AVS-AI insurance certificate (pension and/or disability insurance) or health insurance card
Two passport pictures
Some cash (between CHF 15 and 30) for the registration fees
Register for a health insurance (obligatory in Switzerland), at the latest 3 months after your arrival.
Find the social insurance agency that is closest to you.
Find out more
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.
You must open a postal or bank account. You will need it if you want to work.
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.
To facilitate the settling of the newcomers in the canton, the brochure “Welcome to the canton of Vaud” (available in 13 languages) contains the practical information you need.
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.
Published four times a year, the newsletter “IntégrAction” presents various news of the BCI and its regional offices (projects, activities, publications, etc.)