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

Amendment of federal legislation

Since January 1st 2019, the federal act on foreign nationals and integration (Foreign Nationals and Integraton Act, FNIA) has replaced the federal act on foreign nationals (Foreign Nationals Act, FNA)

New requirements, specifically in terms of fluency in French, are now required.

More information

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.

Find out more