How do we handle the first 90 days in Switzerland?
Step by step: registration, health insurance, bank account, taxation – all tasks with deadlines for the first 90 days in Switzerland. Hungarian perspectives 2025–2026.
Before arrival: what documents should you bring?
The quality of your preparation directly affects how smoothly the administrative steps of the first week will go.
Documents required in all cases:
Document | Note |
|---|---|
Valid passport or identity card | Passport recommended – some cantons require it for registration |
Employment contract or letter of recommendation (if arriving as an employee) | From a Swiss employer, signed |
Rental contract or proof of accommodation | Required for registration |
Birth certificate (certified with an apostille) | Not always requested, but useful |
Marriage certificate (if relevant, with an apostille) | May be required for family reunification procedures |
Photos (passport-sized) | Typically 2–4 pieces, depending on the canton |
Previous insurance documents (TAJ card, OEP certificate) | For settling your domestic health insurance status |
In Hungary, apostille certification is carried out by the Central Office for Administrative and Electronic Public Services (KEKKH), or with the involvement of the issuing authority. This is a time-consuming process – allow at least 2–3 weeks for it.
What is worth arranging before you leave home:
Change your Hungarian address registration or report temporary residence abroad to the Hungarian authorities.
Suspend or settle your OEP membership: if you take up employment in Switzerland, your Hungarian social insurance status is automatically paused, but failure to make the formal notification can cause problems when you return home.
Banking matters: inform your Hungarian bank about your stay abroad so that your card is not blocked.
The first week: registration and administrative tasks
When and where do you need to register?
Within 14 days of arrival, you must register with the residents’ registration office of the municipality where you live (Einwohnerkontrolle in German; contrôle des habitants in French; controllo degli abitanti in Italian). This step cannot be postponed: missing the deadline may result in a cantonal fine.
For registration, you will usually need:
a valid identity document (passport recommended),
rental contract or proof of accommodation,
completed registration form (downloadable from the municipality’s website),
in some cases, an employment contract.
The registration fee varies by municipality – typically between 20 and 80 CHF.
What happens after registration?
After registration, the municipality notifies the cantonal immigration authority (Migrationsamt / office de la population), which initiates the process of issuing the residence permit (Ausländerausweis). As a Hungarian citizen – with EU status – if you have an employment relationship and the required documents, you are entitled to a B permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung B) , which is initially issued for 5 years.
Physical delivery of the permit may take several weeks; this does not prevent you from starting work.
Housing and residence registration (Anmeldung)
What is Anmeldung, and why is it critical?
Anmeldung (residence registration) in Switzerland is not merely an administrative formality: it is the document on which almost every further procedure is based – from opening a bank account to registering with the tax office. Without Anmeldung, you will not receive a tax identification number, you cannot open a bank account with many banks, and concluding health insurance is also more difficult.
What if you do not yet have a permanent home in the first few weeks?
If you do not yet have a final rental contract upon arrival (e.g. you are staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or with acquaintances), temporary registration may also be possible – but this depends on the canton. Some municipalities accept proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel confirmation), while others insist on the rental contract. It is worth checking the municipality’s website in advance or calling them.
Important: the Swiss housing market is extremely tight, especially in Zürich, Genève and Basel. A realistic expectation is that in the first month you may need to make do with a temporary solution (e.g. WG – Wohngemeinschaft, i.e. shared accommodation) while you look for permanent housing in parallel.
Employment documents and social insurance
When and how do you register with the social insurance system?
In Switzerland, registration with social insurance (Sozialversicherung) as an employee is automatically the employer’s responsibility. The employer registers you with AHV/AVS (old-age and survivors’ insurance, Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung), IV/AI (disability insurance, Invalidenversicherung) and EO (income compensation scheme, Erwerbsersatzordnung).
You will receive your AHV number (Swiss social security number, 13 digits) by post within a few weeks after starting work. Keep this identifier safe – you will need it for every authority and insurance provider.
What about unemployment insurance (ALV/AC)?
Unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung / assurance-chômage) is also deducted automatically from your salary. Entitlement to benefits requires contributions for at least 12 months in the past 2 years – in the first year, this means that if you lose your job, you are not yet entitled to full benefits.
Occupational accident insurance (SUVA / UVG)
If you work more than 8 hours per week for one employer, occupational accident insurance (Unfallversicherung / UVG) is also provided automatically. The employer arranges this – you do not need to do anything separately, but it is worth checking your employment contract.
Health insurance (KVG / LAMal): obligation and deadlines
When do you need to take out Swiss basic health insurance?
This is one of the most important and most frequently missed deadlines. In Switzerland, basic insurance (Grundversicherung / assurance de base) is mandatory, and it must be arranged within 90 days of arrival. The insurance takes effect retroactively from the day of arrival – so if you take it out on the 90th day, you must also pay the premiums for the first 90 days.
If you do not take it out by the deadline, the cantonal authority appoints an insurer ex officio, whose fee is generally higher than average.
Which insurer should you choose?
In Switzerland, basic insurance may only be provided by insurers authorised for this purpose (Krankenkasse) – the best known are CSS, Helsana, Swica, Concordia, Sanitas, KPT. The scope of the basic package is set by law (KVG / LAMal), but the premiums are different by canton and insurer.
To compare premiums, you can use the official calculator operated by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG / OFSP): priminfo.ch (also accessible via the ch.ch portal).
Indicative monthly premium ranges (2025, adult, standard franchise):
Canton | Approximate monthly premium range (CHF) |
|---|---|
Zürich | 380–520 CHF |
360–490 CHF | |
Geneva | 480–620 CHF |
Basel-Stadt | 430–570 CHF |
Zug | 310–420 CHF |
⚠️ These are indicative figures; the exact premium depends on the franchise level, insurer and model. See INTERNAL NOTES.
What are the franchise and the deductible?
Franchise (Selbstbehalt / franchise): the amount you pay each year from your healthcare costs before the insurer starts paying. Standard franchise for adults: 300 CHF/year; higher voluntary franchises: 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 or 2500 CHF/year. Higher franchise = lower monthly premium.
Deductible (Kostenbeteiligung): above the franchise, the insured person also pays 10%, up to a maximum of 700 CHF/year (adult).
The relationship between Hungarian health insurance status and Swiss insurance
If you take up employment in Switzerland, your Hungarian health insurance status is suspended. When visiting home, you may receive emergency care in Hungary on the basis of the EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) – but this card is not issued by the Swiss Krankenkasse. Planned treatment in Hungary must be arranged in advance.
Opening a bank account and financial basics
When and where should you open a bank account?
Opening a Swiss bank account after registration (Anmeldung) is one of the most urgent tasks – Swiss employers almost exclusively pay salaries into a Swiss account.
Main options:
Type of bank | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
Major banks | UBS, Credit Suisse (currently integrated into UBS), PostFinance | Extensive branch network; PostFinance is one of the easiest to open |
Cantonal banks | ZKB (Zürich), BEKB (Bern), BCG (Genf) | Cantonal guarantee; local administration |
Neobanks | Neon, Yuh, Revolut (Swiss entity) | Online opening, faster process; limited services |
Traditional banks generally require an in-person visit and need proof of Anmeldung, a passport, and an employment contract. Neobanks (e.g. Neon) can also be opened online, and the process can be started before Anmeldung – but full activation usually requires proof of a Swiss address.
What should you pay attention to when opening an account?
Account maintenance fees in Switzerland are higher than the EU average – they range from CHF 5–25/month.
Ask for an IBAN and BIC code on the first day – your employer will request these.
PostFinance is one of the most commonly recommended options for newcomers, because it is accessible through the post office network and account opening is relatively straightforward.
Taxation: when and how do you enter the tax system?
What is withholding tax (Quellensteuer)?
If you hold a B permit and are not a Swiss citizen, your employer will deduct withholding tax (Quellensteuer / impôt à la source) directly from your salary from the first month. This means that during the initial period you do not need to file a tax return – the employer pays the tax to the canton on your behalf.
The withholding tax rate varies by canton, income level, and marital status – typically it falls between 10–30% of gross salary.
When do you need to file a tax return?
As a B-permit employee, you are required to file a regular tax return (ordentliche Veranlagung / taxation ordinaire) if:
your annual gross income exceeds CHF 120 000 (2025 threshold; may vary by canton), or
you have other income (e.g. rental income from property in Hungary), or
you have deductible expenses that you wish to claim.
You will receive your tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) automatically from the cantonal tax office (Steueramt / administration fiscale), typically within a few weeks after registration (Anmeldung).
Hungarian–Swiss double taxation agreement
A double taxation agreement is in force between Hungary and Switzerland (1981, as amended). This means that the same income is not taxed in both countries. If you pay tax in Switzerland, this must be documented in Hungary as well – especially if you also have income from Hungary (e.g. rental income, dividends).
After the first 90 days: what should you pay attention to?
The 90th day does not mean the end of administration – rather, it marks the start of a new phase.
Key tasks after the 90th day:
Residence permit collection: if the physical B permit card has not yet arrived, it is worth checking with the Migrationsamt.
Health insurance check: make sure the Krankenkasse has confirmed the contract and that you have received the insurance card.
Tax office registration check: if you have still not received a tax identification number after 3 months, contact the cantonal Steueramt.
Second pillar (berufliche Vorsorge / BVG): the employer will automatically enrol you in the mandatory occupational pension scheme if your annual salary exceeds the entry threshold (CHF 22 050 in 2025). Check your employment contract to see which Pensionskasse you are affiliated with.
Notification of Hungarian authorities: if you have not done so yet, report your stay abroad to the Hungarian consulate (Bern, Zürich, Genf) – this is not mandatory, but it makes consular assistance easier if needed.
Sources
Health insurance premium calculator (BAG / OFSP): https://www.priminfo.admin.ch
Federal Office for Migration (SEM): https://www.sem.admin.ch
AHV / AVS – Central Compensation Fund: https://www.zas.admin.ch
Federal Tax Administration (ESTV / AFC): https://www.estv.admin.ch
Swiss Accident Insurance Institution (SUVA): https://www.suva.ch
Embassy of Hungary, Bern: https://bern.mfa.gov.hu
Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FZA) – SEM summary: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/hu/home/themen/fza.html
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In Brief
The first 90 days in Switzerland are mainly about administration: within 14 days, you must register with the municipality of your place of residence, and within 90 days you must take out the mandatory basic health insurance. The employer handles the social security registration, but opening a bank account, obtaining proof of address, and meeting the insurance deadlines are the newcomer’s responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- Within 14 days of arrival, you must register with the municipality of your place of residence, otherwise a cantonal fine may also be imposed.
- The Swiss basic health insurance must be taken out within 90 days of arrival and is valid retroactively from the day of arrival.
- It is advisable to open a bank account after the Anmeldung, because employers typically transfer salaries to a Swiss account.
- The employer automatically registers the employee with AHV/AVS, IV/AI and EO, so there is usually no separate task.
- If you do not yet have a permanent apartment, temporary accommodation confirmation or, depending on the canton, temporary registration may also be an option.
- It is worth settling Hungarian social security and banking matters before departure so that there are no problems when returning home or using cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do you need to register after arriving in Switzerland?
You must register with the municipality of your place of residence within 14 days of arrival. Missing the deadline may result in a cantonal fine. Registration usually requires a passport, a rental contract or accommodation confirmation, and a completed form.
When do you need to take out Swiss health insurance?
The mandatory basic insurance must be taken out within 90 days of arrival. The insurance is valid retroactively from the day of arrival, so delaying it does not save money. If the deadline is missed, the canton will assign an insurer ex officio.
What is the Anmeldung, and why is it so important?
The Anmeldung is the registration of your place of residence in Switzerland, and it is one of the foundations for almost all further administration. Without it, it is often more difficult to open a bank account, obtain a tax identification number, or take out health insurance. For this reason, it plays a key role among the first administrative steps.
Do you need to arrange Swiss social security separately as an employee?
Usually not, because the employer automatically registers the employee with AHV/AVS, IV/AI and EO. The AHV number is sent by post within a few weeks. This identifier must later be used in all official and insurance-related matters.
What is the most practical bank account for newcomers?
According to the article, PostFinance is often a recommended solution because it is relatively easy to access through the postal network. Traditional banks usually require in-person attendance and proof of Anmeldung. Neobanks can often be opened online, but full activation generally requires a Swiss address.
Do you need to file a tax return in Switzerland with a B permit?
With a B permit, the employer deducts withholding tax from the salary from the first month, so there is usually no separate tax return obligation at the beginning. A regular tax return may become necessary if annual gross income exceeds CHF 120,000, or if there is other income as well. Tax details may vary by canton.
What happens if you do not yet have a permanent apartment in the first few weeks?
A temporary solution is possible, for example a hotel, Airbnb, or staying with acquaintances. Some municipalities accept accommodation confirmation, while others insist on a rental contract. It is therefore advisable to check the rules of the relevant municipality in advance.
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