Change of address when moving – the big checklist
A well-organized move saves time and stress. Comparis explains who you have to inform of your new address, and how best to go about it.
28.08.2024
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1. Notifying insurance companies
Health insurance
You can inform your health insurer of your change of address online, by phone or via email. You’ll find their phone number and email address on your bills and on their website.
The health insurance premiums you pay vary depending on your place of residence, so switching can be worthwhile.
Home contents and personal liability insurance
Inform your insurers by telephone or email. If you are moving in with another person, you only need one home contents and personal liability policy.
If the value of your home contents increases, remember to increase the sum insured. This will help you avoid cover restrictions in the event of a claim. Moving house is also a good opportunity to check all your insurance policies and adjust them if necessary.
Motor vehicle insurance
The premium for your motor vehicle insurance depends on where you live.
Is your vehicle more than three years old? Then a switch from full casco to partial casco insurance is worth considering. Be aware of the cancellation deadlines for car insurance.
2. Notifying telecommunications providers
Telephone (landline and mobile) and internet
Inform your telephone and internet service providers. This can be done online in most cases. Corresponding forms can usually be found in the customer area of the website. Please note any deadlines for disclosing your move. Otherwise, your internet connection may not be switched in time.
Telephone directory
Do you still want to be listed in the online telephone directory? Enter your new address at local.ch.
Radio and television
The agency that collects radio and television licence fees, Serafe, will be informed of your change of address by your local authority. You don’t need to do anything.
3. Notifying the bank and post office
Banks, Postfinance and other financial service providers
Banks sometimes allow you to update your address electronically by logging into e-banking and using a special form. You can also do this at the counter. Remember to take a valid form of ID with you.
Also think about any credit card providers or other organizations you have taken out loans with.
Post office
Notify Swiss Post of your new postal address before you actually move. Submit a mail forwarding request and your letters and parcels will be redirected to your new address for one year.
Important: if you wish, Swiss Post can forward your new address to third parties. These include banks or insurance companies, for example.
4. Notifying authorities
De-register your old address at the residents’ registration office. You may be able to complete this step online. You’ll need the following to de-register:
A valid identity document
The certificate of document receipt or confirmation of registration
Depending on the commune, additional documents may be required. You need to register in the new commune. The deadline for doing so is usually within 14 days. In some cases, you can register online. If you miss the deadline, you may have to pay a fine.
Are you a Swiss citizen? If you report the move online, the commune of your old address will send your certificate of origin to the new commune. Otherwise, you need to take this certificate of origin to the residents’ registration office of your new commune and re-register there. Do you need a parking permit? Find out further information from the new commune as soon as possible.
For citizens of the EU and EFTA countries who move, the same rules apply as for people with a Swiss passport, in accordance with the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Always take your ID or passport with you to the communal authority or city council.
People from countries outside the EU/EFTA will need to take their passport and residence permit (if they have one) with them. If changing canton, you must also request a new permanent residence permit. You should do this in good time.
Please note: do you want to become naturalized? Check with the residents’ registration office whether a move is possible.
If you own a dog, you must also report the change of address for your pet. Since dogs are subject to tax, you are usually required to register the dog. The communes maintain registers for this purpose. Most cantons require dog owners to take out pet liability insurance.
Those completing military service must inform their relevant line manager or district command of their change of address within 14 days.
Those completing civilian service must report their new address to the responsible regional centre or enter the change online via the E-ZIVI portal.
If you are retired or self-employed, you have to notify the OASI compensation office.
Register your new address within 14 days with the road traffic office (not available in English).
If you move within the same canton, all you need to do is notify them – either in writing or online. If you change canton, you must register the car in the new canton. You can exchange the number plates either in person or by post.
In most communes, you are not required to do anything. The communes will allocate your children to a school, and the communes or cantons will take care of registration and assignment.
5. Notifying energy suppliers
Electricity, water, power and gas suppliers
Notify the relevant energy supplier of your new address. Find out about any registration deadlines from the providers directly. This will prevent you from being charged the energy costs that are incurred between the date the keys are handed over and the date the meter reading takes place. Some suppliers will let you update your address online.
6. Other necessary changes of address
Inform other contacts of your new address via email, by post or via the relevant app.
Employer
Insurance companies (legal protection, travel insurance, pet insurance, etc.)
Private school, childcare centre and nursery
Doctor, dentist and veterinarian
Lawyer and accountant
Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
Service subscriptions
Clubs and associations
Friends, relatives and acquaintances
Beneficiary organizations, for example Rega or the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation
This article was first published on 23.08.2019
