How do we properly close our Swiss affairs when moving back home?
Step by step: ending employment, apartment rental, bank, tax, health insurance and utility contracts when leaving Switzerland. With concrete deadlines and a Hungarian perspective.
When should I start preparing?
It’s worth starting the planning at least 3 months before your intended move. Some procedures — such as terminating your apartment lease or reclaiming withholding tax (Quellensteuer) — come with deadlines, and missing them can mean financial loss. Below, we go through the tasks step by step, by topic.
1. Deregistration with the local authorities
The first and most important administrative step is deregistration (Abmeldung) with the local municipal authority (Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants). This can be done in person, by post, or in many cantons now also online.
When should this be done? No later than the day you move, but ideally 1–2 weeks earlier.
What should you bring?
Identity document (passport or ID card)
Residence permit (Ausländerausweis) — hand this in to the authorities
New Hungarian address (if already known)
After deregistration, the authorities notify the tax office, AHV/AVS (old-age and survivors’ insurance), and your mandatory health insurer (Krankenkasse). However, this does not mean you do not need to handle these matters separately — the notification is only administrative; you still need to close out the contractual relationships yourself.
2. Ending employment and social insurance
How do you resign from your job?
Under Swiss employment law (Obligationenrecht, OR), the notice period is usually 1–3 months, depending on the length of employment and the employment contract. Resignation must be submitted in writing.
Important: the employer must settle all unused leave with your final salary. If this does not happen, file a written complaint while you are still in Switzerland.
What happens with AHV/AVS and ALV contributions?
The AHV/AVS (Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung) and ALV (Arbeitslosenversicherung, unemployment insurance) contributions are deducted and paid by the employer. These cannot be reclaimed when you leave — amounts paid into the Swiss pension system can be claimed when you reach retirement age, or in certain cases earlier as well (see the section on the 2nd pillar).
What about the second pillar (berufliche Vorsorge / BVG)?
The second pillar (Pensionskasse) is Switzerland’s mandatory occupational pension scheme. If you move back from Switzerland to an EU member state — including Hungary — you cannot withdraw the accumulated capital in cash, because under the EU–Switzerland social security agreement the capital must be placed in a so-called Freizügigkeitskonto (vested benefits account) or Freizügigkeitspolice (vested benefits insurance policy), and it can only be paid out when you reach Swiss retirement age.
⚠️ This is one of the most common misunderstandings: many people think that as EU citizens they can withdraw their second-pillar capital when moving back. That is not possible in 2026 if the person is a member of the mandatory pension system in the relevant EU country (e.g. Hungary).
Action: Contact your Pensionskasse before you leave and request written information on how to open a Freizügigkeitskonto. The account must be maintained with a Swiss bank, but it can also be managed from Hungary.
3. Terminating the lease and reclaiming the security deposit
When and how should you terminate the lease?
Under Swiss tenancy law (Obligationenrecht, OR 266. §), the notice period for an apartment lease is usually 3 months, and notice can only be given for the contractually specified termination dates (typically 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December). Different conditions may apply in some cantons and under some contracts.
Important exception: if you find an acceptable replacement tenant (Nachmieter), the landlord is obliged to accept them, and you can leave the contract before the notice period ends. In many cases, this saves months.
The notice must be sent by registered mail (Einschreiben), and the landlord must confirm receipt.
How can you get your deposit (Mietkaution) back?
The deposit (usually 2–3 months’ rent) is held in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a Swiss bank. The conditions for repayment are:
The apartment is handed over in impeccable condition (handover report, Übergabeprotokoll).
All rent and ancillary costs have been settled.
The landlord’s written consent to release the deposit.
If the landlord withholds the deposit without justification, you can seek redress free of charge before the Schlichtungsbehörde (conciliation authority). It is worth doing this while still in Switzerland, because it is harder from Hungary.
4. Bank accounts, savings and financial wrap-up
When is it worth closing your Swiss bank account?
Do not close the account on the day you move out. The return of the deposit, the final salary payment, tax refunds and other transfers may still arrive weeks, or even months, after you have left. Keep the account open for at least 6 months after moving, then close it in writing.
Practical point: many Swiss banks do not keep accounts for customers with a foreign address, or they charge higher fees. Check with your bank in good time.
What should you do with savings and securities?
If you hold investments in a Swiss securities account (Depot), before closing the account you need to decide:
Transfer the securities to another broker (for example, in Hungary or another EU country), or
Sell them and transfer the proceeds.
Transferring securities (Depotübertrag) takes time, typically 4–8 weeks. Plan accordingly.
5. Taxation: the final year and refunds
How does tax settlement work in the year you leave?
The Swiss tax year follows the calendar year. If you move away during the year, you must file your tax return (Steuererklärung) for the period up to the date of departure with the cantonal tax office at your place of residence. The deadline varies by canton, but it is typically due in the spring after you move.
What is withholding tax (Quellensteuer) and how can you reclaim it?
If you worked with a B permit (Ausländerausweis B) and your income did not exceed the cantonal exemption threshold (this varies by canton, but in many cantons it is around CHF 120,000 per year), your employer deducted withholding tax directly from your salary.
In that case, you are entitled to request a subsequent ordinary tax assessment (nachträgliche ordentliche Veranlagung, NOV), which may allow you to reclaim overpaid tax — or you may have to pay additional tax if the withholding tax was lower than your actual tax burden. In most cantons, the NOV application must be submitted by 31 March of the year following your departure.
⚠️ This deadline and income threshold vary by canton — we flag the need for verification in the INTERNAL NOTES block.
Hungarian-Swiss double taxation agreement
A double taxation agreement (DTT) concluded between Hungary and Switzerland in 1981, and since amended, is in force. It determines in which country income earned in the year of relocation is taxed. If you had income in both countries in the year you moved, it is worth consulting a tax advisor — double taxation can be avoided, but the administration is not trivial.
6. Health insurance and other mandatory insurance
How do you cancel mandatory Swiss health insurance (Krankenkasse / KVG)?
Mandatory Swiss health insurance (Krankenversicherungsgesetz, KVG) is compulsory only as long as you live and work in Switzerland. On the day you move away, the insurance obligation ends, but you must cancel the contract in writing yourself.
Cancellation process:
Write a cancellation letter to the Krankenkasse, stating the termination date (the day you move away).
Attach the deregistration confirmation (Abmeldebestätigung).
Request a refund of any premiums paid in advance.
Send the cancellation by registered mail and keep the proof of receipt.
What should you do about supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung)?
The cancellation terms for supplementary insurance (e.g. dental care, private hospital treatment) may differ from the basic KVG — check the policy for these. Some supplementary insurance policies require a longer notice period.
Hungarian social insurance and re-registration with OEP
After moving back to Hungary, you need to register again in the Hungarian social insurance system to access healthcare. If you take up employment, your employer will handle this. If not, you must arrange your social insurance status as a voluntary insured person or through a family member’s entitlement with the National Health Insurance Fund Management (NEAK).
7. Property ownership, rental housing and settlement of joint ownership
If you bought property in Switzerland (which, as an EU citizen, was only possible under certain conditions under the Lex Koller law), selling or renting it out is a separate process. Profit from the sale of the property may be subject to Swiss property gains tax (Grundstückgewinnsteuer), the rate of which varies by canton and depending on the length of ownership.
If you rent out the property, your Swiss tax filing obligation remains for the rental income, even if you live in Hungary.
8. Closing utility contracts and digital services
Which contracts are most often forgotten?
Service | Notice period (typical) | Note |
|---|---|---|
Electricity / gas | 1 month | Final meter reading on the day of moving |
Internet / phone | 1–3 months | Mobile providers may apply longer contract terms |
Serafe (TV/radio fee) | Until the end of the month of moving | Can be cancelled online at serafe.ch |
Mail forwarding (Nachsendung) | Can be paid in advance, for 6–12 months | Recommended to order for at least 6 months |
Newspaper subscriptions | Contract-dependent | Check the automatic renewal |
Digital services: check subscriptions registered with Swiss billing details (streaming, software, online storage). After your Swiss address is deleted, some services may automatically adjust their pricing.
9. Transport, driving licences and vehicles
What should you do with a Swiss vehicle?
If you own a vehicle registered in Switzerland, before moving you need to decide:
Sell it in Switzerland: you must hand in the licence plates at the cantonal road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt), and cancel the mandatory motor liability insurance.
Take it to Hungary: the vehicle must be re-registered in Hungary, and you cannot use it long-term in Hungary with a Swiss registration certificate and licence plates.
Is a Swiss driving licence valid in Hungary?
A Swiss driving licence (Führerausweis) is valid in the EU, but if you move back to Hungary, under the rules you must exchange it for a Hungarian driving licence within a specified period after your Hungarian address is registered. Under the EU–Switzerland agreement, the exchange is possible without theory exams, but the administrative process must be handled with the Hungarian authorities (Okmányiroda).
⚠️ The exact exchange deadline and procedure are indicated for review in the INTERNAL NOTES block.
Sources
Swiss federal information portal: https://www.ch.ch
Federal Social Insurance Office (BSVI/BSV) – AHV/AVS and Freizügigkeit: https://www.bsv.admin.ch
Federal Tax Administration (ESTV/AFC) – withholding tax and tax return: https://www.estv.admin.ch
Serafe (cancellation of TV/radio fee): https://www.serafe.ch
National Health Insurance Fund Management (NEAK, Hungary): https://www.neak.gov.hu
Swiss Post – mail forwarding (Nachsendung): https://www.post.ch
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In Brief
Before moving back from Switzerland, you should start handling the paperwork at least 3 months in advance, because missing several deadlines can lead to financial losses. The most important steps are deregistering with the authorities, closing employment and insurance arrangements, terminating the apartment lease, settling the deposit, and wrapping up tax and banking matters. The second pillar capital cannot be withdrawn in cash when moving back to an EU member state such as Hungary; it must be handled through a Freizügigkeitskonto or Freizügigkeitspolice.
Key Takeaways
- Deregistration should be handled no later than the day of moving out, but ideally 1–2 weeks earlier.
- Employment termination must be submitted in writing, and the notice period is usually 1–3 months.
- The second pillar capital cannot be withdrawn in cash when moving back to Hungary; a Freizügigkeitskonto or Freizügigkeitspolice is required.
- The apartment lease should be terminated by registered letter, and reclaiming the deposit requires a flawless handover and all accounts to be settled.
- It is not advisable to close a Swiss bank account immediately, because refunds may still arrive later; it is worth keeping it open for at least 6 months.
- The tax return for the year of departure and any withholding tax refund must be submitted according to cantonal deadlines, as these can differ from canton to canton.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start closing my Swiss affairs before moving back home?
It is worth starting the preparations at least 3 months before the planned move. Some procedures, such as terminating the apartment lease or reclaiming withholding tax, are tied to strict deadlines.
What is the first official step when moving back home from Switzerland?
The first and most important administrative step is deregistration with the local authority at your place of residence. This can be done in person, by post, or in many cantons online as well, no later than the day of moving out.
Can I withdraw my Swiss second pillar capital in cash if I move back to Hungary?
No, under the EU–Switzerland social security agreement this is not possible if the person is a member of a mandatory pension system in the EU member state concerned. The capital must be placed in a Freizügigkeitskonto or Freizügigkeitspolice.
How do I terminate a Swiss apartment lease?
The notice period is usually 3 months, and termination can only be given for the dates specified in the contract. The notice must be sent by registered letter, and if an acceptable Nachmieter is found, the landlord is obliged to accept it.
When can I get my Swiss rental deposit back?
To get the deposit back, the apartment must be handed over in impeccable condition, all rent and ancillary costs must be settled, and the landlord’s written consent is also required. If the landlord withholds it without justification, free legal recourse can be requested before the Schlichtungsbehörde.
How long should I keep my Swiss bank account open after moving?
It is not advisable to close it on the day of moving out, because refunds may still arrive later, for example the deposit, final salary, or a tax refund. According to the article, it is worth keeping it open for at least 6 months, then closing it in writing.
What happens to Swiss health insurance when moving back home?
Swiss mandatory health insurance ends on the day of moving out, but the contract must be terminated in writing. The cancellation should include the Abmeldebestätigung, and you should request a refund of any premiums paid in advance.
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