Your guide to a successful start in Switzerland
Practical information, step-by-step guidance and tools to help you settle in, understand the system, and make confident financial decisions.
Key steps when moving to Switzerland
Follow these steps to find the most relevant guides and tools for your situation.
- 1Before you arriveVisas, entry requirements and what to prepare
- 2Settle inRegistration, residence permit, health insurance
- 3Start workingContracts, taxes, social security
- 4Manage your moneyBanking, budgeting, taxes and pensions
- 5Family and lifeChildcare, schools, allowances, healthcare
- 6Plan for the futureRetirement, investing, buying property
Featured guides for newcomers
Essential reading to help you get started in Switzerland.
How Swiss Taxes Work: Federal, Cantonal and Municipal
Why where you live matters so much, which deductions are available and how the tax return works.
🛡️ Insurance & HealthSwiss Health Insurance: Choosing Your Franchise and Model
How the deductible, 10 % co-payment and managed-care models affect your yearly cost.
💼 Salary & TaxYour Swiss Payslip Explained: From Gross to Net
AHV, ALV, pension fund, accident insurance – what each deduction means and what you can influence.
🏠 Mortgage & PropertyRenting in Switzerland: Deposit, Reference Rate and Your Rights
How much rent you can afford, what the deposit rules are and when you can ask for a rent reduction.
Popular calculators for newcomers
Get quick answers to common questions.
Gross-to-Net Salary Calculator
Estimate your net monthly pay after Swiss social security contributions and income tax.
Insurance Premium Comparison
What switching to a cheaper health insurer saves over several years.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Check the Swiss banks’ rules: 20 % equity and housing costs below one third of income.
Pillar 3a Contribution & Tax Saving
Your maximum 3a contribution and the tax you save by paying it in.
Newcomer checklist
Make sure you don’t miss anything important.
Before arrival
- Check visa requirements
- Prepare key documents
- Find temporary accommodation
First weeks
- Register with local municipality
- Get your residence permit
- Open a Swiss bank account
First months
- Set up health insurance
- Understand your tax situation
- Learn about public transport
Ongoing
- Explore pension options
- Plan for family needs
- Build your financial plan
Ready to take the next step?
Explore our calculators and guides to make confident financial decisions in Switzerland.
Browse all calculators →The full guide
Moving to or working in Switzerland involves many administrative deadlines in the first weeks.
First steps
- Register with your municipality within 14 days of arrival.
- Take out basic health insurance within three months (it is back-dated).
- Open a Swiss bank account for salary, rent and local payments.
Taxes
Foreign nationals without a C permit generally pay tax at source (Quellensteuer), deducted from the payslip. If income exceeds CHF 120,000 or in certain situations, an ordinary assessment follows. You can also request a subsequent ordinary assessment to claim deductions such as pillar 3a and wealth-related items. Rules vary by canton and your marital situation.
Example with default values. Open the calculator →
Cross-border commuters
Commuters from Germany, France, Italy and Austria usually pay tax in Switzerland at source and then follow a home-country regime; special agreements apply to specific cantons and countries. Salaries are paid in CHF, so exchange rate swings matter. Compare real purchasing power with the salary comparison calculator.
Pensions
Contributions to AHV and pension fund are mandatory. When you leave Switzerland, vested benefits can be paid out in cash in some cases (not for EU/EFTA countries for the mandatory part) – check before leaving.
Always verify details with your cantonal tax office; this is general education.