The blog
Switzerland, from the inside.
Paperwork, daily life, neighbourhoods, budget, culture: everything we wish we had known before unpacking.
Taxes in Switzerland for new residents: source tax and ordinary tax
Taxes in Switzerland for new residents: federal, cantonal and communal tax, source tax with an L or B permit, the 31 March request and the 120,000 rule.
6 min readPaperworkSwiss residence permit for EU citizens: L, B and C explained
Swiss residence permit for EU and EFTA citizens: what L, B, C and G mean, how long each lasts, what the canton asks for and how much it can charge.
6 min readHealthSwiss health insurance deductible: how to choose and when to switch
Swiss health insurance deductible explained: CHF 300 to 2,500, the 10% co-payment cap, how to choose your level and the 30 November deadline to switch.
6 min readFamily and workSchools in Switzerland for expat children: cantons, languages, enrolment
Schools in Switzerland are run by cantons: entry age, language and calendar change by place. How Geneva enrols children, welcome classes, fees and diplomas.
5 min readBudgetRetire in Switzerland: residence, health cover, AHV and tax
Retire in Switzerland as an EU or EFTA citizen: the means test, health insurance with or without form S1, the AHV pension, the 13th payment and tax.
6 min readWhere to liveRenting in Switzerland: deposits, official forms and your rights
Renting in Switzerland: documents landlords expect, the three-month deposit cap, the official rent form, notice periods and how to challenge a rent.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Switzerland: the step-by-step guide to your first months
Moving to Switzerland as an EU citizen: register with your commune within 14 days, insure yourself within 3 months, then sort tax, bank and driving.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Switzerland from the UK after Brexit: what you need now
Moving to Switzerland from the UK: acquired rights before 2021, third-country rules since, the 3,500-permit quota for 2026, retirement and driving.
6 min readBudgetLump-sum taxation in Switzerland: who can still get the forfait
Lump-sum taxation in Switzerland explained: the three federal conditions, the CHF 435,000 minimum base for 2026 and the cantons that abolished the forfait.
6 min readHealthHealth insurance in Switzerland: the three-month rule for newcomers
Health insurance in Switzerland is compulsory: join a fund within three months of arriving and cover is backdated. How LAMal works and who is exempt.
6 min readFamily and workFreelance in Switzerland: self-employed status, AHV and company types
Freelance in Switzerland: how the AHV fund recognises self-employed status, the 10% contribution, sole proprietorship or GmbH, VAT and registration.
6 min readPaperworkDriving licence in Switzerland: exchange, car import and vignette
Driving licence in Switzerland: exchange a foreign licence within 12 months, clear and register your car, and buy the CHF 40 motorway vignette.
6 min readDaily lifeDaily life in Switzerland: languages, rubbish, holidays and manners
Daily life in Switzerland: four national languages, rubbish bag fees, shop hours, quiet hours, public holidays by canton and emergency numbers.
5 min readFamily and workCross-border commuters in Switzerland: G permit, tax and insurance
Cross-border commuters in Switzerland: how the G permit works, tax rules from France, Germany, Italy and Austria, plus insurance and unemployment.
6 min readBudgetCost of living in Switzerland: what is fixed and what depends on you
Cost of living in Switzerland: health premiums, rent rules, tax, car and childcare, with the official figures and who sets each price.
6 min readWhere to liveBuying property in Switzerland: Lex Koller, deposit and mortgage
Buying property in Switzerland as an EU citizen: when Lex Koller applies, the 10% deposit rule, using your pension fund, transfer duties and the notary.
6 min readWhere to liveBest places to live in Switzerland for expats: how to choose a canton
Best places to live in Switzerland for expats: how the canton shapes your tax, language, school and rent, with Geneva, Vaud and Zurich compared.
6 min readPaperworkBank account in Switzerland: how to open one and what it costs you
Bank account in Switzerland: what banks ask for, why EU basic-account rights do not apply, how to compare fees and euro transfers, and mortgage basics.
6 min readPaperworkAHV number in Switzerland: your social security number, explained
Your AHV number is Switzerland's 13-digit social security number, starting 756. Learn how it is assigned, where to find it and how to avoid scams.
6 min readYour move, one step at a time.
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