Change of address when moving – the ultimate 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.

Elena Wetli Foto
Elena Wetli

04.05.2023

Changing address after moving house

iStock / Asvolas

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1.Notifying insurance companies
2.Notifying telecommunications providers
3.Notifying the bank and post office
4.Notifying authorities
5.Notifying energy suppliers
6.Other necessary address changes

1. Notifying insurance companies

Health insurer

You can inform your health insurer of your change of residence online, by telephone or via e-mail. You will find their phone number and e-mail address on your bills and on their website.

Health insurance premiums vary depending on your place of residence, so switching can be worthwhile.

Home contents and personal liability insurance

Inform your insurers by telephone or e-mail. If you are moving in with another person, you only need one home contents and personal liability policy.

If the value of all home contents increases, remember to adjust the coverage amount upwards. 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? In that case, it may be worth switching from full to partial casco insurance – depending on the replacement value of the vehicle and your own needs. 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. You can update your details by logging into your account or by filling in an electronic form. Please note any deadlines for disclosing your move.

Telephone directory

Do you still want to be listed in the online telephone directory? Enter your new address at local.ch.

Radio and television

Your communal authority will inform Serafe, the agency that collects radio and television licence fees, of your change of address. 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.

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 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 house, the same rules apply as for people with a Swiss ID, 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 residence permit. You should do this in good time.

Important: 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 address change 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 pet owners to take out animal liability insurance for their dogs.

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 (AHV/AVS) compensation office .

Register your new address within 14 days at the Road Traffic Office (in German, French and Italian only).

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 address changes

Inform other contacts of your new address via e-mail, by post or via a special app.

  • Employer

  • Insurance companies (legal cover, 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

For more helpful tips and checklists for your next move, take a look at our guide to moving.

This article was first published on 23.08.2019

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