Moving to a different canton in Switzerland: what you need to know
There are a few things to keep in mind when moving to a new canton. Check the applicable tax rates and your insurance policies before you move home. You may be able to save a lot.
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1. Moving to a different canton: consider the tax rates
Your place of residence affects how much tax you pay. Remember that your tax bill for the whole year is based on where you were living on 31 December. This is also the case if you change canton. Are you flexible with the date of your move? If so, compare tax rates at your old and new place of residence.
You could save several thousands of francs in tax if you set the date of your move before or after the end of the year. Are you moving before the end of the year, but have already paid some tax instalments in your old canton of residence? In that case, you can get a refund of any overpayments.
2. Complete the necessary administrative tasks
There is a lot of administrative work whenever you move home. This includes reporting address changes to insurance companies, banks, the post office and authorities.
When changing cantons, you have to keep a few more things in mind than when moving within the canton. If you have a vehicle or a foreign nationality, you will have to take care of additional admin when moving to a new canton.
3. Re-registering your car when changing cantons: inform the Road Traffic Office
Do you own a car or motorcycle at the time of your move? Then you have to notify the Road Traffic Office (in German, French and Italian only) of your new address within 14 days.
If you move to a new canton, you need to swap out your number plates as well as update your driving licence and vehicle registration document. To do this, you will typically need the following documents:
Current vehicle registration document
Completed application form for registering a vehicle (the name of the form may vary from canton to canton)
New electronic proof of liability insurance (issued by the insurer on request)
The number plates from the previous canton of residence
Your ID or foreigner’s identity document
A confirmation of residence the commune
The required documents and prices for re-registration vary from canton to canton. You can find more information on the website of the Road Traffic Office.
Where can I get the new number plates?
You can swap out your number plates at the counter of the Road Traffic Office at your new place of residence. Alternative: send the documents by post to the Road Traffic Office. You can then exchange the number plates at the post office of your new place of residence.
Cantonal differences in taxes for your vehicle
There are cantonal differences in motor vehicle tax. If you own a car or motorcycle, you can expect costs to change when moving to another canton.
4. Moving to a new canton for foreign nationals
Would you like to change canton as a foreign national? Different conditions may apply to you depending on the country of origin and type of permit. Exception: temporary stays of a maximum of three months.
Change of canton as an EU/EFTA citizen
You do not need to observe any special rules if you are a national of an EU/EFTA country. You only have to register at your new commune within 14 days of moving.
If you still have a paper permit, you will receive a new one in credit card format.
Change of canton as a citizen of a third country
For citizens of a third country, the residence permit only applies to the canton that issued the permit. With a B permit, you must therefore submit an application in your new canton of residence before moving canton.
You are normally entitled to move to another canton with a B permit. However, the application is usually denied:
if you are unemployed or
if there are grounds for revocation according to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act Article 62. For example, these grounds for revocation may include a conviction following a crime or the receipt of social welfare.
You must have a valid residence permit at all times. This means: if your permit expires during the application process, you must apply for a new one in your old canton.
Are you a foreign national from a third country and have a C permit? If so, you must submit an application for the change of canton. The reason: a third-country permit only applies in the canton that issued it.
You are normally entitled to move to another canton. The application will only be denied if there are grounds for revocation. These include:
Incorrect information during the application process
Prolonged imprisonment
A threat to or violation of public, internal or external security
Significant dependence on social welfare
The attempt to obtain Swiss citizenship by fraud or even the revocation of Swiss citizenship are further grounds for denying the application.
5. Review your insurance policies
Compare health insurance premiums
The amount of health insurance premiums depends on your place of residence. When you move, it’s usually worth comparing health insurance premiums. You could soon save a few hundred francs per year.
If you wish to change health insurance, your termination letter must be received by the insurer by 30 November. You can then switch insurance policy as of 1 January of the following year.
Extraordinary termination of health insurance
Some health insurance companies are only available in certain cantons. Therefore, check whether you can remain insured with the same health insurance provider if you move to a different canton. If this is not the case, your health insurance can also be cancelled during the year.
Check your car insurance
If you move, you may not cancel your car insurance. This is also the case if the premium increases due to the move. Nonetheless, moving to a different canton is a good time to compare car insurance premiums. You can switch car insurance as of the next regular termination date.
Premiums for motorcycle insurance also depend on your place of residence. You should notify your insurance company of your new address.
6. Other useful information about moving
Find out in advance about public holidays, school holidays and shop opening times at the new place of residence. They can vary depending on the canton and commune.
Do you have any exotic animals or a dog that requires a special licence? Then you should find out before the move what restrictions apply at your new place of residence. The cantonal veterinary service can provide more information.
Professional moving and cleaning companies can make moving home much easier. You can receive up to five moving quotes free of charge and without obligation from topmovers, the Comparis moving partner.
You can find an overview of the most important information and administrative offices in your new canton of residence at kantonswechsel.ch.
This article was first published on 16.12.2021
