Before Moving to Switzerland: What Steps Do You Need to Take?
A step-by-step guide for Hungarians preparing to move to Switzerland: documents, permits, finding accommodation, registration, and the most common mistakes.
What legal basis allows Hungarian citizens to move to Switzerland?
As a Hungarian citizen, you are an EU national, and therefore fall under the FZA within the Swiss legal framework. In practice, this means you do not need to obtain a work permit in advance, and the quota system (Kontingentierung) that applies to third-country nationals does not apply to you.
After arriving, you must register at your local residents' registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants) within 14 days (or before your first working day). If you are arriving with an employment contract, you apply there for a B permit (Ausländerausweis B), which is generally issued for 5 years and is renewable. If you are staying for fewer than 90 days for work purposes, you do not need a permit — a simple online notification (Meldeverfahren) is sufficient. If your employment contract runs between 3 and 12 months, you will receive an L permit (Ausländerausweis L).
An important distinction: the L permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year, does not automatically entitle you to a longer stay, and carries different conditions when it comes to accessing social benefits. If you intend to settle in Switzerland, the B permit is the standard goal.
If your spouse is a third-country national (non-EU/EFTA), the situation is more complex: their residence permit is tied to yours and requires a separate procedure with the cantonal migration authority (Migrationsamt).
What documents do you need to prepare before moving?
This is the area where most people lose the most time. While applying for a B permit often requires nothing more than a passport and an employment contract, Swiss authorities — for example in the case of marriage or family reunification — will request original, authenticated documents. A simple photocopy, as commonly accepted in Hungarian public administration, is not sufficient.
Tip: In Hungary, you can request multilingual (CIEC) birth and marriage certificates. These are accepted in Switzerland without an apostille or certified translation, which can save you a great deal of time and money!
Essential documents
Passport / national ID card: Valid, with at least 1 year remaining before expiry.
Birth and marriage certificates: Preferably in multilingual (CIEC) format obtained from a Kormányablak office (no translation or apostille required). If only a Hungarian-language version is available, an Apostille authentication and certified translation are required.
Divorce decree / death certificate: Court / registry office (Apostille + certified translation).
Proof of educational qualifications: Educational institution / Educational Authority (Apostille + certified translation).
Criminal record certificate: Required only for certain positions (e.g. healthcare, security guard). If needed: Apostille + certified translation (must be no older than 3 months).
Employment contract: Original, in German / French / Italian.
Apostille: Hungary is a member of the Hague Convention, so Hungarian public documents are authenticated by apostille. This is carried out by the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development (KTM), but the process can also be initiated through a Kormányablak office. As of early 2026, standard processing typically takes 5–15 working days; an expedited procedure can also be requested.
Certified translation: In Switzerland, translations are accepted if produced by a Swiss sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) or certified in Hungary by the National Office for Translation and Attestation (OFFI). Check the requirements of the relevant canton, as these may vary.
Recognition of qualifications — SBFI and cantonal procedures
If you wish to work in a regulated profession in Switzerland (doctor, engineer, teacher, lawyer, accountant), your diploma must be formally recognised. The responsible authority differs by profession:
Regulated professions (e.g. doctor, dentist, pharmacist): The MEBEKO committee of the Federal Office of Public Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG).
Nurses: The Swiss Red Cross (SRK).
Other higher education qualifications: the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, SBFI) carries out the assessment.
Vocational qualifications: the SBFI or the cantonal vocational education office (Amt für Berufsbildung).
The SBFI procedure typically takes 3–6 months and costs around CHF 500–1,000 (as of early 2026). Start the process while still in Hungary, before your employment begins.
How do we find accommodation in Switzerland while still in Hungary?
The Swiss rental market is one of the tightest in Europe. In Zürich and Genève, the vacancy rate (Leerstandsquote) was below 0.5% in 2025 — meaning a single listed apartment can attract 50–100 applicants.
Where should we look?
The main property portals:
homegate.ch — Switzerland's largest property search platform
immoscout24.ch — also nationwide coverage
comparis.ch — a comparison tool, also useful for analysing rental prices
anibis.ch — private listings, more affordable price range
Facebook groups (e.g. "Hungarians in Switzerland", city-specific groups) — an informal market, but worth keeping an eye on
What do landlords ask for?
Swiss landlords typically request the following documents:
Betreibungsregisterauszug (debt enforcement register extract) — this can only be requested with a Swiss address; for a first apartment it will be missing, which should be communicated upfront.
Proof of income (employer's letter or employment contract).
Copy of ID card / passport.
CV / résumé (yes, they ask for this for apartments too).
Reference from a previous landlord (if available).
Security deposit (Mietkaution): typically 2–3 months' rent, to be placed in a deposit account (Mietzinsdepot).
Not having a Betreibungsregisterauszug is a disadvantage when renting your first apartment. This can be offset by a Swiss guarantor (Bürge), an employer's guarantee letter, or by offering a higher deposit.
Temporary solutions for the first few weeks
If you haven't found a permanent apartment before moving in, the following options are worth considering:
Short-term rental (Airbnb, apart-hotels): expensive, but flexible.
Employer-provided accommodation: some larger companies (especially hospitals and hospitality businesses) offer temporary housing.
Subletting / room rental (Untermiete / sous-location): a faster but less stable option.
Bear in mind that finding your first Swiss apartment can take 1–3 months, especially in Zürich, Genève, and Basel.
In Brief
As a Hungarian citizen, moving to Switzerland is possible under EU free movement rights — no work visa required. However, the process involves a series of parallel tasks: document authentication, finding accommodation, applying for a B permit, and handling your deregistration in Hungary — all running simultaneously. Most delays are caused by unauthenticated documents and Switzerland's tight housing market, so plan for at least 2–3 months on both fronts.
Key Takeaways
- Request a multilingual (CIEC) civil registry extract from a Kormányablak (Government Service Office) while still in Hungary — this lets you avoid apostille authentication and certified translation, saving both time and money.
- If you plan to work in a regulated profession (doctor, engineer, teacher, nurse), start the diploma recognition process with SBFI or the BAG MEBEKO committee before you move — the procedure takes 3–6 months and costs CHF 500–1,000.
- Within 14 days of arrival (or before your first working day), register at your local Einwohnerkontrolle (residents' registration office) and apply for a B permit — missing this deadline can result in a fine.
- Allow 1–3 months for your housing search in Zürich, Genève, and Basel; the vacancy rate is below 0.5%, so plan for temporary accommodation (sublet or employer-provided housing) for your first weeks.
- If you don't yet have a Swiss Betreibungsregisterauszug (debt enforcement register extract), offset its absence with an employer's guarantee letter or a higher security deposit to stay competitive in the rental market.
- If your spouse is a third-country national, keep in mind that their residence permit requires a separate procedure with the cantonal Migrationsamt — it's worth initiating this process well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa or work permit to move to Switzerland as a Hungarian citizen?
No. As a Hungarian citizen, you are an EU national and are therefore not required to obtain a prior work visa under the FZA (Freizügigkeitsabkommen — Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons), nor are you subject to the quota system that applies to third-country nationals. Within 14 days of arrival, you must register at your local Einwohnerkontrolle and apply for a B permit.
What is the difference between a B permit and an L permit?
The B permit (Ausländerausweis B) is valid for 5 years, is renewable, and is the standard goal if you intend to settle in Switzerland. The L permit is issued for a maximum of 1 year, tied to employment contracts of 3–12 months, and carries different conditions regarding access to social services. If you plan to stay in Switzerland long-term, the B permit is the right choice.
What documents need to be prepared before moving?
Essential documents include: a valid passport or national ID card (with at least 1 year until expiry), birth and marriage certificates (preferably in multilingual CIEC format), and an employment contract in German, French, or Italian. If your documents are not in CIEC format, apostille authentication and certified translation will be required. Certain professions (e.g. healthcare) may also require a criminal record certificate.
How can I get my diploma recognised in Switzerland?
The responsible authority varies by profession. For doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, the BAG MEBEKO committee is competent; for nurses, it is the Swiss Red Cross (SRK); for other higher education qualifications, it is SBFI. The process takes 3–6 months and costs CHF 500–1,000, so it is worth starting from Hungary before your employment begins.
How do I search for accommodation in Switzerland from abroad, and what should I expect?
The main platforms are homegate.ch, immoscout24.ch, and anibis.ch, and Hungarian expat Facebook groups in Switzerland can also be useful. The Swiss rental market is extremely tight — in Zürich and Genève, the vacancy rate was below 0.5% in 2025, and a single apartment can attract 50–100 applicants. Allow 1–3 months for your search and plan for temporary accommodation during your first weeks.
What is a Betreibungsregisterauszug, and what if I don't have one?
The Betreibungsregisterauszug is an extract from the Swiss debt enforcement register, which landlords almost universally request. When renting your first Swiss apartment, you will not have one, as it can only be obtained with a Swiss registered address. You can offset its absence with a Swiss guarantor, an employer's guarantee letter, or by offering a higher security deposit.
What should I do if my spouse is not an EU citizen?
If your spouse is a third-country national (non-EU/EFTA), their residence permit is tied to yours and requires a separate procedure with the cantonal migration authority (Migrationsamt). This is a more complex and lengthy process than for EU citizens, so it is worth initiating it well in advance.