If you are moving to a new address in Switzerland, no matter whether you have found a new job or want to be closer to your family, you must inform your local authorities that you are moving. Some cantons have begun to make it possible to change your address online. However, it is still important to know how the process works and what documents you must provide.
Changing address in Switzerland
After finding a new house in Switzerland, you must notify your new council (Gemeinde) of your move within 14 days of moving house. The process involves deregistering with your old Gemeinde and re-registering with a new one, just as you did when you first registered when you arrived. All members of your household must officially change address, including children.
Online changing of address
To streamline the process of changing your address, the association of local councils and the Swiss government have created an online portal called eUmzugCH where you can change your address online, meaning you no longer have to attend your local Gemeinde. This process is necessary in order to make sure that you are being charged the appropriate amount of taxation and receive all the benefits of social security.
While every Swiss canton barring Geneva has committed to using the eUmzugCH system, and more than 90 percent of councils in 16 cantons have the system up and running, some towns in six cantons (Schaffhausen, Jura, Fribourg, Bern, Ticino and Graubünden) are yet to launch the system.
What's more, councils in three Swiss cantons are yet to implement the system at all. So if you wish to change address to or from cantons Valais, Vaud, Neuchâtel or Geneva, you must register your change of address in person at both the Gemeinde you are currently residing in and the Gemeinde you are moving to.
Key documents to provide when changing address in Switzerland
Changing your address within Switzerland is a process of switching your residence status for taxation and benefits. This is especially important if you are changing canton, as each one has its own system of taxation and benefit programmes.
When you are registering your change of address online or in person, you must provide the following documents:
How much does changing your address cost?
The costs associated with changing your address are based on the administrative fees of both local councils. This cost is combined online but can lead to two bills if you are changing your address in person. Prices also may increase if you are changing canton as well as Gemeinde. Typically, costs range from 40 to 200 Swiss francs.
Once you have changed your address officially, you also need to inform the relevant parties. Below you will find some of the key people and companies that you must inform of your move.
Landlord
It is essential that you inform your old landlord of your change of address before your official notice period, as listed in your rental contract. This is in order to stop paying rent for your previous property and allow the landlord to find a new tenant. Be sure to time your move to a new address with the official moving in and out days listed by your canton. This will also be necessary if you would like to receive back your rental deposit.
Banking
It is also essential to make sure that all your correspondence from your bank(s) goes to the right address. You must inform your bank as soon as you have changed your address and moved into your new home. This is in order to avoid missing vital documents or confusion when filing your next tax return.
Utilities
It is important that you inform your utility company that you have moved, particularly if you have bought a house in Switzerland. If your previous place of residence made you responsible for water, electricity, and internet, you must inform them of your change of address. Occasionally, utility companies may also request the details of the new tenants.
School
If your child goes to a school in Switzerland, you must inform the school that you are changing address. Typically, you are able to continue with your old school if the travel distances are reasonable or you are still within range of school buses. If your children cannot attend the same school, you must inform your local Gemeinde, who will contact the local school, or you can choose to contact an international school in the vicinity.
Post office
The post office in Switzerland has an innovative system where they are able to officially change your address and notify multiple partner businesses of the change at no cost. The post office can inform:
With a one-off payment of 45 Swiss francs, the post office will also forward any mail that is sent to your old address to you for a year.