Swiss councils (Gemeinde)

One of the key organisations you’ll get to know while living in Switzerland is your local council (Gemeinde). Local councils are at the heart of local life in most cantons, providing services to the entire community. There are currently over 2.900 different local councils in Switzerland, each covering between nine and 400.000 people

What is a Gemeinde?

A Gemeinde is similar to a British council, tasked with running basic services for the community alongside cultivating a strong community spirit. The system of government in Switzerland places a large amount of responsibility on local authorities. Normally, your local council will be responsible for the maintenance of many everyday basic services, from utilities and emergency services to public transport and Swiss passports.

For expats, the council is the place where much of the registration and permit application process takes place. Financially, councils also represent the largest beneficiary of the Swiss tax system.

Although supported by a large selection of civil servants, the leaders of the local councils are selected through Swiss elections. It is the most local and immediate point of contact for government services and the place to go when you arrive and when you leave Switzerland. Although mostly independent, some local councils in smaller towns do share services with each other or unite into a multi-village council.

How to find your nearest Gemeinde

Typically, every community in Switzerland has some form of council. It is important to do most of your business with your local council to avoid registering or even paying taxes in the wrong place. The Swiss government has an online service where you can find your nearest council.

Facts about Swiss local government

Switzerland has always placed a high priority on local government. Ever since the Old Swiss Confederation, much of the administration of Switzerland has been localised within communities. This is reflected in the large amount of power local governments have. Each council is stylised with a coat of arms, used to reflect the old Swiss tradition of having a local flag placed on the weapons and armour of soldiers from each town.

The largest council is the city council of Zurich, with 420.000 citizens. The smallest in Switzerland is Corippo in Canton Ticino, with only nine residents as of 2019.

Services provided by councils in Switzerland

Swiss councils provide many important functions for expats wanting to make Switzerland their home. They are integral to the first few months of coming to Switzerland, as the Gemeinde handles the majority of immigration and settlement needs for newcomers. Some of the key services provided are:

• Completing registration
• Supplying your residence permit
• Renewing your Swiss passport
• Reviewing applications for social security
• Registering a birth
• Registration when changing address in Switzerland
• Managing most Swiss taxes
• Controlling the Swiss school system
• Certifying documents when buying a house

Registration in Switzerland

If you are planning to stay in Switzerland longer than the length of your visa, your local council should be the first place you go to register to live in Switzerland. The council is responsible for the first stages of your application and will always serve as the go-between for you and the migration authorities of the canton.

Swiss residence permit

Once you have completed registration and have been accepted by the migration authorities, your council will then provide you with your residence permit. This permit is confirmation that you are able to live and work in Switzerland for the foreseeable future. The council will supervise your residency status for the duration of your time in Switzerland. They will also be the main organisation to contact should your permit need renewing.

Taxes by local government in Switzerland (Steueramt)

Over half of your taxes in Switzerland go to your local council. The council uses this money to fund basic and emergency services in your community. The local council is responsible for the canton and local taxes and is where you submit your tax return. Once you have paid your taxes, your council is also responsible for any rebate you might receive in the future.

Daily travel passes

Up until 2024, as part of a local government initiative, some local councils offered travel passes for Switzerland at reduced rates. This allowed you to use Swiss public transport for an entire day, including the entire network of rail, tram, bus and boat services. These were usually up to 150 Swiss francs cheaper than an all zone pass for the whole of Switzerland. Sadly, the Gemeinde Day Passes have been phased out as of January 2024.

Other services

Some of the other services that the council provides are:

• Coordination and funding of emergency services
• Road maintenance and local transport funding
• Distribution of the family allowance
• Applications for building projects and planning permission
• Funding leisure facilities such as swimming pools and barbecue sites

What to expect when visiting a Gemeinde in Switzerland

It is generally expected for you to speak the official language of your canton while visiting a Gemeinde. All transactions and services are done in the local language, so be prepared for staff to not speak English. If you have a specific service in mind, ask at the front desk and they will point you in the right direction. Each Gemeinde has multiple offices devoted to specific functions of the council.