The Complete Zurich Expat Checklist

Everything you need to do in your first 90 days in Zurich.

Before Arrival

• Find long-term accommodation — The Swiss rental market is fiercely competitive — apartments in Zurich and Geneva are often gone within hours of listing. Set up search alerts on Homegate, ImmoScout24, and Flatfox simultaneously and respond to new listings within the hour. Prepare a strong dossier in advance: ID, Betreibungsregisterauszug (debt enforcement extract), last 3 payslips or employment contract, and a cover letter. Temporary furnished apartments (serviced apartments, Airbnb) can bridge the gap while you search.

Days 1-30

• Get a Swiss SIM card — Sunrise, Salt, and Wingo are the most popular prepaid or monthly plans. You'll need a local number for many services including healthcare.
• Register at your local commune — You must register with your local commune (Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants) within 14 days of arriving. Bring your passport and rental contract. EU/EFTA citizens apply for their B permit at this same appointment — it is one visit, not two. You'll receive an Anmeldebestätigung (registration certificate) on the day, which you'll need to open a bank account.
• Register your pet — Take your dog to a Swiss vet within 10 days of arrival — the vet must register the microchip in the AMICUS national pet database. This is the legally required first step, and the 10-day deadline is strict. Separately, register your dog with your commune for the annual dog tax (Hundesteuer). All dogs must be microchipped; if your dog isn't already, the vet will do this at the same visit.
• Get health insurance — Switzerland requires mandatory basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG). You must enrol within 90 days of arriving — coverage is backdated to your arrival date.
• Open a Swiss bank account — You'll need a local account to pay rent and utilities. Do this after your commune registration — most banks (including Neon) require a Swiss address and your Anmeldebestätigung. Yuh is the main exception that allows account opening before registration. Neon, Yuh, and Zak are popular fintechs that open accounts online with no paperwork.
• Furnish your apartment — Most Swiss rentals are unfurnished — you'll need everything from a bed to kitchen appliances. IKEA has stores in Zurich (Spreitenbach), Geneva, and Bern. For second-hand furniture, Ricardo.ch and Facebook Marketplace groups for expats are goldmines. Renovero and Pfister are popular Swiss furnishing chains. Note that Swiss apartments typically have no light fixtures — budget for lights and bulbs on day one. Also check if a Küchenbüffet (kitchen unit) is included in your lease.
• Get pet insurance — Pet insurance isn't mandatory in Switzerland, but a single surgery or serious illness can cost CHF 5,000–20,000+. Policies covering accidents and illness cost CHF 20–80/month depending on species, breed, and age. Most insurers require enrolment before a maximum age (typically 6–7 years), and policies have a 30-day waiting period before illness claims are valid. Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded. Calingo and Wau-Miau are leading providers with full English support.
• Consider supplementary health insurance — Basic LAMal doesn't cover dental, glasses, private hospital rooms, or alternative medicine. Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) fills these gaps — but unlike LAMal, insurers can reject your application based on a health questionnaire, and may exclude pre-existing conditions. Apply as early as possible (ideally when choosing your LAMal insurer, since many offer both). Waiting periods of 3–12 months apply from the start date before benefits are payable.
• Enrol children in school — Swiss public school is free and mandatory. Contact your commune for the local school district. International schools are available in most cities.
• Register with a GP (family doctor) — GPs are called Hausarzt (DE), médecin de famille (FR), or medico di famiglia (IT). Many have waiting lists — ask your health insurer for a list of in-network doctors.
• Get a GA or Half-Tax card — The SBB Half-Tax card (Halbtax) halves fares on trains, buses, and boats. The GA Travelcard gives unlimited travel on all Swiss public transport.
• Find a dentist — Dental care is NOT covered by mandatory health insurance. Budget CHF 200–600 for a first check-up and cleaning. Supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) can help.

Months 1-3

• Open a Pillar 3a account — Pillar 3a is Switzerland's private pension scheme. Contributions are tax-deductible — employees with a 2nd pillar can contribute up to CHF 7,258/year; self-employed without a 2nd pillar can contribute up to 20% of income (max CHF 36,288/year). You must contribute before 31 December each year to deduct it on that year's tax return. Finpension and VIAC are popular low-cost options.
• Register your car — Foreign-registered cars can be driven in Switzerland for up to 12 months (customs must be notified on entry). After that, you must register with the cantonal road authority (Strassenverkehrsamt) and pass a Swiss roadworthiness inspection (MFK). You cannot register the car without Swiss mandatory third-party liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) — arrange this first. EU/EEA insurance (green card) covers you during the 12-month grace period, but you will need a Swiss policy to register.
• Exchange your driving licence — All foreign licences — EU or non-EU — must be exchanged within 12 months of taking up residence. The key difference is what's required: EU/EEA holders can exchange directly with no test. Most non-EU holders must pass a Swiss practical driving test; however, nationals of certain countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others) are also exempt from the test. Apply at the cantonal road authority (Strassenverkehrsamt). After 12 months, your foreign licence becomes invalid in Switzerland.
• Understand your tax obligations — Tax returns are due in March/April. C-permit holders or self-employed people file a full return. B-permit holders may have tax withheld at source (Quellensteuer).
• Get personal liability insurance — Swiss liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) covers you if you accidentally damage property or injure someone. Usually CHF 60–120/year and strongly recommended.

Ongoing

• Consider language classes — Learning the local language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh) significantly eases daily life and is required for C-permit and citizenship applications.
• Know your unemployment rights (ALV/RAV) — All employees automatically pay into ALV (Arbeitslosenversicherung) via payroll — no action needed now. If you lose your job, register at your regional employment centre (RAV) within 10 days of your last day of work. You may be entitled to up to 400 days of benefit (520 days if you're over 55). Permit holders: check how your permit status is affected by unemployment, as B-permit entitlement can be limited.
• Get household contents insurance — Hausrat insurance covers theft, water damage, fire, and more. Required by many landlords. Shop around — prices vary significantly between providers.
• Join international school waitlists — International schools in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel have long waiting lists. Apply early — some schools recommend applying 1–2 years in advance.
• Register as self-employed with AVS — Freelancers must register with the cantonal AVS compensation fund (Ausgleichskasse) as soon as they start self-employment — ideally before issuing your first invoice. There is no fixed legal grace period: if you delay, contributions will be backdated with interest from the date you started earning. Registration is required once annual self-employment income exceeds CHF 2,300. Bring your business records and expected income estimate.
• Arrange childcare or daycare — Swiss subsidised daycare (Kita) has long waiting lists — some over 12 months. Apply as early as possible. Costs vary significantly by canton and income.