If you hold a B or L permit, you need the consent of the migration office in your new canton before you move (Art. 37 FNIA). With a C permit you have a right to move, as long as there are no grounds for revocation. Whatever your permit, register with your new municipality within 14 days of arriving.

In short

  • B or L permit: apply to the new canton's migration office and wait for written consent before you move.
  • C permit: you may move unless there are grounds for revocation under Art. 63 FNIA. The new canton issues a new permit.
  • Registration: deregister in your old municipality and register in the new one within 14 days (Art. 12 FNIA).
  • Also update: your health insurer, employer, tax administration and road traffic office.

Who needs permission

A B permit belongs to the canton that issued it, so moving means changing the authority responsible for you.

  • B residence permit: the new canton must consent (Art. 37 para. 1 FNIA). There is no automatic right; it checks that the permit conditions are met there.
  • C settlement permit: you are in principle entitled to move if there are no grounds for revocation under Art. 63 FNIA (Art. 37 para. 3 FNIA). No discretionary consent is needed.
  • L short-term permit: a move also needs consent (Art. 37 para. 2 FNIA) and stays tied to the job or purpose of the permit.

EU/EFTA nationals move under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP, SR 0.142.112.681) and the VFP ordinance. Free movement covers moves within Switzerland, but you still report your new address and the new canton issues the permit.

Third-country nationals with a B permit are checked against the general admission conditions (Art. 18 to 19, 21, 27 and 33 FNIA; Art. 31 OASA): job or purpose of stay, and enough money to live on.

F, N, S and Ci permits follow special rules. For F and N, a move is possible only under Art. 85b FNIA or Art. 27 AsylA, at the authorities' discretion.

For how the B and C permits differ, see the C settlement permit.

How to move with a B or L permit

  1. Apply to the new canton's migration office. Some cantons have online forms; others want you in person.
  2. Send the documents: usually your permit, proof of a job or of enough money to live on, a rental agreement and a valid travel document. Confirm the list with the office.
  3. Wait for the decision. Processing times vary by canton.
  4. Deregister with your old municipality once you have moved.
  5. Register with the new municipality within 14 days (Art. 12 FNIA with Art. 10 to 16 FNIA and the OASA reporting rules). Some municipalities set shorter deadlines.
  6. Receive the new permit from the new canton.

Do not move before you have written consent. Moving without it can put your status at risk (duty to cooperate, Art. 90 FNIA; grounds for revocation, Art. 62 to 63 FNIA).

Registering in the new municipality

Everyone registers, whatever their permit (Art. 12 FNIA plus cantonal and municipal rules). Legal domicile is defined in Art. 23 of the Civil Code (CC). Bring your passport or ID, permit and rental agreement; some municipalities also want a deregistration confirmation and proof of health insurance, and some charge a fee.

Health insurance and tax

Basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) stays compulsory. If you arrive in Switzerland or your insurance situation changes, you must insure within three months, with cover backdated. For a move within Switzerland, just give your insurer the new address. Premiums by canton are on priminfo.admin.ch.

Changing canton changes where you pay tax. The federal framework is the Direct Federal Taxation Act (Art. 83 et seq. DBG); each canton has its own tax act.

  • As a rule, you are taxed where you live at the end of the tax period.
  • If you are taxed at source (in particular B holders), the new canton's rate applies after the move.
  • Report the move to the cantonal tax administration, which answers questions on rates.

School and car

Schools are cantonal. German-speaking cantons use Lehrplan 21, French-speaking Switzerland the Plan d'études romand, and Ticino its own curriculum. Children can usually switch school mid-year; contact the new municipality's school administration early.

Re-register any vehicle with the new canton's road traffic office and get new plates. Your driving licence stays valid, but report your new address. Motor vehicle tax is cantonal.

Checklist

  1. Check whether you need consent (B or L) or may simply move (C). If consent is needed, get it in writing first.
  2. Secure housing (rental agreement or proof of ownership).
  3. Deregister, then register in the new municipality within 14 days.
  4. Give your new address to your employer (for withholding tax), health insurer, bank, other insurers, the post office and the tax administration.
  5. Re-register your vehicle.
  6. Contact the new school administration if you have school-age children.

The federal rules are in Art. 37, 40 et seq. and 99 FNIA and Art. 31 and 73 OASA. For current documents, deadlines and fees, ask the migration office of your new canton.