Moving to Switzerland in 2026

Moving to Switzerland: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of many countries visit Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, and others need a Schengen visa. To move, you first obtain the canton's consent to a residence permit: for work the employer applies, for lump-sum taxation and business you apply yourself through the canton. After approval by the canton and the federal migration office the embassy issues a national visa, and the resident card is issued in Switzerland.

1. Before the trip. Canton consent, the national visa, a lease or purchase contract, and apostilled, translated family documents.
2. Days 1-14. Register with the commune where you live, apply for the resident card and give biometrics.
3. Days 14-30. Bank account, phone, travel pass and choosing a health insurer.
4. Within 3 months. Mandatory basic health insurance for every family member, backdated to the date of entry.

By law the rental deposit cannot exceed 3 months' rent; it is held in a separate bank account in the tenant's name and returned when you move out. Cantonal fees for the permit and card come on top. Basel, Bern and Lugano are cheaper than Zurich. The rate is about $1.20 per franc in 2026. We work out a family budget in the chat.

Switzerland in brief

Switzerland is a confederation of 26 cantons in the centre of Europe with about 9 million people. The federal city is Bern, and the main business centres are Zurich, Geneva and Basel. There are four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The country is not in the European Union but is part of Schengen, and the currency is the Swiss franc, about $1.20 per franc. Cantons set most taxes, so the burden differs almost twofold between cantons.

Switzerland suits wealthy families interested in lump-sum taxation, professionals with a job offer, entrepreneurs with a major project, and European Union citizens moving under free movement. There is no citizenship by investment.

How to move in 2026

• European Union citizens - a permit under free movement for work, business or sufficient means.
• Employment - for third-country nationals, permits are issued within quotas and mainly to highly skilled specialists when the employer found no candidate in Switzerland or the European Union.
• Lump-sum taxation - a residence permit without the right to work in Switzerland, with tax based on living expenses; the federal base in 2026 is at least 435,000 francs. Third-country nationals under 55 get it only if the canton considers the move important for its finances, in practice with tax from 200,000 francs a year, about $240,700; over 55, with close personal ties to Switzerland. Details are on the page Swiss residence by investment.
• Business - a permit for the founder of a company that creates jobs and matters to the cantonal economy.
• Study and family - separate grounds for students and relatives of residents.

Every new resident must take out Swiss health insurance within 3 months. We handle the choice of canton, negotiations with it and the filing end to end; more on the page Swiss residence.

Rules for specific nationalities

Switzerland applies European Union sanctions, and some rules depend on the passport.

• Russia. Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland, banks are extremely cautious with them and scrutinise the source of funds, and the permanent permit usually comes after 10 years in the country, or after 5 years with good integration and command of the canton's language.

Citizenship

Ordinary naturalisation requires 10 years in the country and a C settlement permit; 3 of the 10 years must fall within the last 5 before applying, and years between ages 8 and 18 count double. Cantons also require 2 to 5 years in the canton and commune and check language, knowledge of local life and integration. A citizen's spouse applies for simplified naturalisation after 3 years of marriage and 5 years in the country. Dual citizenship is allowed. Details are on the page Swiss citizenship.

Taxes

Income tax is paid at three levels: federal, cantonal and communal. The top rate in 2026 ranges from 21.9% in Zug to 43.24% in Geneva. Cantons also levy wealth tax, while capital gains on private securities are usually tax-free. Corporate tax including the cantonal part is roughly 12% to 21% depending on the canton. VAT is 8.1%; on 29 November 2026 the country votes on raising it to 8.5% from 2028. In March 2026 voters backed separate taxation of spouses. Details are on the page taxes in Switzerland.

Property

Federal law restricts home purchases by foreigners. Non-residents from third countries cannot buy a home to live in, only a holiday home in certain resort areas within quotas. A third-country national with an annual residence permit can buy the home they live in, while European Union citizens with a permit and C permit holders buy like Swiss nationals. We source and check properties on the page property in Switzerland.

Business and accounts

A company limited by shares or a limited liability company is registered in the cantonal commercial register, with minimum capital of 100,000 and 20,000 francs respectively. Banks scrutinise the source of funds. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Cost of living

• Rent - a three-room flat in Bern averages about 1,985 francs a month in 2026, about $2,389, and much more in Zurich and Geneva.
• Transport - a monthly pass for two Bern zones costs 82 francs, about $99; trains are punctual but expensive.
• Health insurance - mandatory for every resident; premiums depend on the canton and deductible, with a minimum adult deductible of 300 francs a year.
• Prices - groceries, services and restaurants are among the most expensive in Europe, but salaries are also the highest.

Where to live

• Zurich - finance, technology and the largest job market.
• Geneva - international organisations, banks and the French language.
• Zug and Schwyz - the lowest taxes and many crypto companies.
• Lugano - the Italian-speaking part, a mild climate and Milan nearby.
• Bern - the capital, a calm pace and strong schools. More in the Bern guide.
• Basel - pharmaceuticals on the border with Germany and France.

Practicalities

• Entry. Citizens of many countries visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, and others need a Schengen visa.
• Healthcare. One of the best systems in the world, but only through mandatory private insurance.
• Schools. State schools are free and strong, teaching in the canton's language; international schools are expensive.
• Registration. After arrival you must register with the commune within 14 days.

Who Switzerland suits

Pros: safety, stability, strong schools and healthcare, high salaries, low taxes in some cantons, lump-sum taxation for wealthy foreigners and Schengen. Cons: one of the most expensive countries in the world, quotas for third-country workers, restrictions on buying homes, cautious banks and 10 years to citizenship. Switzerland suits wealthy families, professionals with a contract and entrepreneurs with a major project. Write in the chat and we will choose a canton and a ground for the move and work out the tax.