Switzerland Relocation Checklist

Phase 0 · Before anything else

Qualify honestly — most people don't

Check the Art. 28 tests: 55+, no work anywhere, means for life — and genuine, documented prior ties to Switzerland. No ties? Consider the lump-sum route (six-figure annual tax) — or a country with a real retirement visa Stress-test the budget against real Swiss costs — roughly CHF 6,000–8,500/month for a couple outside the big cities, and prices ~71% above the EU average Get a cantonal read from a Swiss immigration lawyer before spending anything — Art. 28 is discretionary and cantons differ Book a cross-border tax consultation: Swiss wealth tax, the US Social Security treaty question, Canadian departure tax — all before you trigger residency

Phase 1 · 12–18 months out

Decide with real numbers

Scouting trip — 90 days visa-free per rolling 180 (EES has counted your days since October 2025); visit in winter too, not just July Pick your region — and your language — with the Where to Live guide; cantonal tax and premium differences are worth six figures over a retirement Start lessons in the local language now — permits and citizenship are tested in German, French, or Italian, not English Document your Swiss ties: old permits, leases, employer letters, family residence certificates — this file wins or loses an Art. 28 application If going the lump-sum route: have your adviser open talks with the cantonal tax office — a forfait ruling comes before the permit

Phase 2 · 6–12 months out

Build the application file

Assemble proof of means: pension award letters, annuity contracts, portfolio statements, bank letters — sized for Swiss costs, for life Write the personal statement connecting your ties, your canton, and your plans — specific beats sentimental Gather civil documents (passports, marriage certificate) with apostilles and certified translations into the cantonal language where required Get health-insurance quotes on priminfo.admin.ch — budget ~CHF 930/month for a couple at 2026 averages, and put it in the financial plan Wind down any work — the retiree permit bans gainful activity worldwide, including remote work and consulting, from day one

Phase 3 · 3–6 months out

Apply — from home, through the canton

File the national D visa application at the Swiss embassy or consulate covering your US state or Canadian province Respond fast to cantonal requests — the migration office decides, SEM approves; discretionary files reward completeness While you wait: plan the physical move — see Living for pets (microchip → rabies shot ≥21 days before travel → USDA-APHIS/CFIA certificate) Line up housing — Swiss rental dossiers need permit papers and proof of means; expect competition in the cities (Housing guide) Canadians: get departure-tax and provincial-health-lapse advice before setting the moving date

Phase 4 · Arrival & first 90 days

Three clocks start on day one

Day 1–14: register at your commune's residents' office (Einwohnerkontrolle) — passport, visa, lease, photos Within 3 months: sign a KVG/LaMal basic policy — cover and premiums are retroactive to arrival, so do it week one (the 90-day guide) Within 12 months: exchange your US/CA driving licence at the cantonal road traffic office — set the reminder now Open a Swiss bank account (Americans: expect FATCA paperwork and fewer willing banks) and set up utilities, phone, and the Serafe media fee Under 65? Register for AHV contributions as a non-employed resident — they're owed on wealth and pension income Diarise the long game: annual B-permit renewals, C permit at year 5 (US/CA nationals), citizenship eligibility at year 10

Rules in motion: the Lex Koller property-law tightening is in consultation until 15 July 2026, health premiums re-set every September, and quota decisions land every November. The newsletter below is how we tell you when this page changes.

Sources

Art. 28 FNIA / Art. 25 OASA — fedlex.admin.ch; SEM: sem.admin.ch
Registration, insurance and licence deadlines — ch.ch; bag.admin.ch
2026 premiums — priminfo.admin.ch
Pet imports — blv.admin.ch
Full source lists live on each linked topic guide.

The whole move,
in order.

Qualify honestly — most people don't

Decide with real numbers

Build the application file

Apply — from home, through the canton

Three clocks start on day one

Sources

Need a relocation specialist?

The whole move,in order.

Qualify honestly — most people don't

Decide with real numbers

Build the application file

Apply — from home, through the canton

Three clocks start on day one

Sources

Need a relocation specialist?

This checklist updates. So should you.

The whole move,
in order.