Moving to Switzerland: the guide for IT professionals

Are you moving to Switzerland? This guide walks you through all administrative, financial, and practical steps.

Are you moving to Switzerland? This guide walks you through all administrative, financial, and practical steps. Written for IT professionals from the EU/EFTA area (additional rules apply to third-country nationals).

1. Residence and work permits

Permit B (5 years, EU/EFTA): for permanent employment > 12 months
Permit L (short-term): for assignments < 12 months
Permit G (cross-border commuters): for daily commuting
Third-country nationals: prior authorization by employer, quotas, stricter requirements

2. Registration with the local municipality

Within 14 days after arrival
Documents required: passport, rental contract, employment contract, biometric photo
You receive: residence permit card, AHV (social security) number, registration certificate

3. Health insurance (KVG/LAMal)

Mandatory for all residents, must be arranged within max. 3 months after arrival
Main insurers: CSS, Helsana, Swica, Sanitas, Concordia, Visana
Monthly premium: CHF 280 to CHF 600/month depending on canton, age, and plan
Online comparison: comparis.ch or priminfo.admin.ch

4. Housing

Rental deposit: 1 to 3 months’ rent (blocked account)
References from previous employer/landlord recommended
Main platforms: homegate.ch, immoscout24.ch, comparis.ch
Average rents in 2026:
- Geneva: CHF 3,200 (3-room apartment)
- Zurich: CHF 2,800
- Lausanne: CHF 2,400
- Basel: CHF 2,100

5. Taxes

Withholding tax: automatically deducted from salary for Permit B/L up to CHF 120,000 annual income
Above CHF 120,000: standard tax declaration required
Cantonal and municipal differences can vary by ±30%

6. Banking

Main banks: UBS, Raiffeisen, Migros Bank, PostFinance, cantonal banks
Required documents: residence permit, rental contract, employment contract
Recommended for IT expats: neon, Yuh, Revolut (multi-currency)

7. Mobile phone and internet

Main providers: Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise
Mobile plan: CHF 30 to CHF 80/month
Fiber internet: CHF 50 to CHF 100/month

Checklist before arrival:

Signed employment contract

International health insurance (transition period)

Temporary accommodation (e.g., Airbnb for 30 days)

Translated documents (marriage certificate, diplomas)

Tax declaration in home country (last year)

First 30 days in Switzerland:

Day 1–3: Register with municipality
Day 4–7: Open a bank account
Day 8–15: Choose and subscribe to health insurance
Day 16–21: Find (or confirm) housing
Day 22–30: Set up mobile phone, internet, tax forms

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to obtain a Permit B in Switzerland?
A: With a signed EU/EFTA employment contract: 2 to 4 weeks after registering with the municipality.

Q: How much does health insurance cost in Switzerland?
A: Between CHF 280 and CHF 600/month, depending on canton, age, and chosen model.

Q: Which canton has the lowest taxes for IT professionals?
A: Zug, Schwyz, and Nidwalden offer the lowest withholding tax rates, often 30% lower than Geneva or Vaud.

Q: Do I need German or French to work in Switzerland?
A: In IT, English is often sufficient, especially in Zurich, Zug, and Geneva. Local languages are a plus for client-facing roles.