This is the very first thing you need to do after arriving in Switzerland — and almost everything else depends on it. You have 14 days from taking up residence (and before your first day of work, whichever comes first) to register in person at your local commune office. No bank account, no residence permit, no health insurance enrolment can happen until this is done. The good news: it's straightforward, and you'll walk out feeling like you've officially landed.
What to bring
Every commune is slightly different, but you'll generally need:
- Valid passport or national ID (original — copies won't do)
- Your rental contract, or a written confirmation from your landlord with your address
- Work contract or proof of employment
- Marriage and birth certificates if you're registering as a family
- Non-EU/EFTA: your visa or work permit approval letter
If you're registering a family, everyone needs to come in person — including children. It's worth calling your commune office ahead of time or checking their website to confirm exactly what they need, since requirements can vary. Some communes only accept cash for the registration fee (typically CHF 100–200 per person for EU/EFTA, CHF 200–400 for non-EU/EFTA).
Finding your commune office
Your registration office goes by different names depending on the language region: Einwohnerkontrolle (German), Contrôle des habitants (French), or Controllo abitanti (Italian). In Zurich city, you go to one of three Personenmeldeamt locations — book an appointment online via eTermin, as walk-ins from abroad are no longer accepted. In Geneva, the initial registration can be started online via the e-démarches platform at the OCPM (Office cantonal de la population et des migrations). In smaller towns, it's usually a counter at the Gemeindehaus (town hall).
Plan for about 1–2 hours including any wait time. Try to go early in the morning when queues are shorter.
What happens at the office
The process itself is simple: you hand over your documents, fill in a registration form, and the clerk enters your details into the system. They may ask a few questions about your employment situation and how long you plan to stay. If you're an EU/EFTA citizen, they'll typically begin processing your residence permit on the spot. Non-EU/EFTA nationals will usually have already received a visa or work permit approval before arriving — bring that documentation too.
What you get
You'll receive an Anmeldebestätigung — a confirmation of registration. Keep this document safe. You'll need it to open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, and handle various other admin tasks in the weeks ahead.
Your actual residence permit (the biometric plastic card) arrives separately, usually 2–4 weeks later by post. Some cantons will schedule a separate appointment for biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
What if you miss the 14-day deadline?
Don't panic, but don't delay either. Late registration can result in a fine — typically CHF 200–500 depending on the commune. More importantly, it pushes back everything else: your permit, your bank account, your health insurance enrolment. If you're cutting it close because you haven't found permanent housing yet, register at your temporary address (such as a furnished apartment or even a friend's place with their written consent) and update your address later when you move.