Dreams come true – are you taking the plunge and emigrating, soon to enjoy a daily swim in warmer waters perhaps?
Christopher Jones / Alamy Stock Photo
This checklist will help you with your move – and provides additional helpful articles and links.
Whether it’s a new climate, culture or career move, relocating requires careful planning. Here’s what you need to know.
What do I need to do if I want to leave Switzerland?
Plan ahead: for distant countries, gathering all necessary documents can take up to two years. Discuss your plans with close family and friends, set a realistic budget and consider taking a language course.
Research, plan and organise
- Research your destination through a trip, internet resources, books and local media. Perhaps you know or can find someone who has already emigrated to the country? The Federal Department of Foreign AffairsExternal link also has dossiers on the labour market and education systems in popular emigration countries available.
- Check entry and residence permit requirements for your family with the destination’s embassy or consulate. In European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, free movement enables emigration, while elsewhere it is often difficult to obtain a permanent permit. Information on the most popular emigration destinations can be found at the end of this article. ·
- Find a job. Are your application documents complete? Clarify whether your credentials and diplomas are recognised in the country and have them translated if need be.
- Search for rental properties on trustworthy platforms. Here are a few platforms, for example: for FranceExternal link, the USAExternal link, GermanyExternal link or CanadaExternal link.
- Prepare the necessary documents such as salary certificate and confirmation of employment – translated into the local language.
- Are you planning to buy a property locally? Seek advice from independent experts who are versed in the legal requirements and local property market.
- If you have school-age children: Read up about the local education system or international schools and enrol your children.
- Find out about social insurance and pension schemes in your destination.
Finances and insurance when emigrating
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Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know
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Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating
Important documents when emigrating
- Ensure your ID card or passport has sufficient validity. You can order a new passport or ID card hereExternal link.
- Have important documents such as your birth and marriage certificates translated into the local language and notarised.
- If you are travelling alone with a child, you will need notarised power of attorney, official identity documents and translated birth certificates.
- Are you required to do military service? Then you must apply to the relevant district command for military leave abroadExternal link.
- Have important medical prescriptions translated and obtain a certificate.
- Check mandatory and recommended vaccinationsExternal link for your destination.
- Organise the necessary vaccinations and documents for your pet.
Moving
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Moving abroad: a helpful checklist
- Pack a supply of important medication.
- Find out about customs regulationsExternal link.
- Cancel subscriptions and contracts in due time (such as mobile phone, internet, leasing, insurance, memberships…).
Mobility
- Determine whether your driving licence is recognised in your destination country. If not, apply for an international driving licence.
- Are there other documents that you should have checked? Enquire about vehicle registration (car, motorbike, boat…) and changing number plates in the destination country.
Last steps before departure
- Organise your leaving party.
- Deregister with your local municipality to obtain your certificate of family origin.
- Have your post redirected. Inform the roads and traffic authorityExternal link of your departure.
- Prepare all required entry documents, including passport, confirmation of deregistration and inventory of household effects.
Shortly after entering the country
Edited by Balz Rigendinger. Translated from German by Katherine Price/amva
