How can we keep our Swiss connections after moving back home?
Moving back home doesn’t mean you have to lose your Swiss connections. Practical steps from administration to networking — from financial, legal, and social perspectives.
Why is it worth consciously maintaining Swiss connections?
Keeping your Swiss connections is not just an emotional matter — it has serious social, professional, and financial implications as well.
From a social perspectivethe personal relationships built over the years in Switzerland — colleagues, neighbors, friends — represent a kind of trust capital that is hard to replace. After returning to Hungary, many people find that some of their former local ties have weakened, which makes Swiss acquaintances especially valuable.
From a professional perspectiveSwiss work experience and network provide a major competitive advantage on the Hungarian job market — especially at multinational companies, in the financial sector, and in engineering. However, this advantage only pays off if the relationships stay active and the references remain current.
From a financial perspectiveeven after moving back home, Swiss financial interests may remain: a bank account, insurance ties, perhaps an investment account, or the question of withdrawing the second pillar (berufliche Vorsorge / BVG). These can be managed from a distance, but they require planning.
What steps should be completed before moving back home?
Most administrative oversights happen because the final weeks before departure are taken up by logistics, and paperwork gets pushed into the background. The following should be handled in good time — ideally 4–8 weeks before the actual move.
Administrative deregistration and data backup
Deregistration from the municipality of residence (Abmeldung):your Swiss residence permit (Ausländerausweis) expires once you deregister. Abmeldung must be submitted to the local Einwohnerkontrolle (residents' registration office). The exact deadline can vary by canton, but in general it should be done before or at the time of actual departure.
Digitize important documents:employer certificates, payslips (Lohnausweis), tax returns, AHV statements (Individuelles Konto, IK-Auszug), insurance policies, confirmation of lease termination. It is worth keeping these both in cloud storage (e.g. in encrypted form) and as a local backup.
Swiss mailing address:if mail from Switzerland is still expected after departure (tax office, AHV, bank), it is worth asking a trusted person (friend, former colleague) to receive and forward the letters, or using a Swiss PO box service.
Closing tax matters:the final Swiss tax return must still be filed after leaving. Deadlines and procedures vary by canton; in some cantons, the taxable period is calculated pro rata from the day of departure.
Settling financial obligations
Mandatory health insurance (Krankenversicherung / KVG) can be terminated as of the date of deregistration from Switzerland. The cancellation must be submitted in writing, by registered letter, to the insurer; the notice period must be observed, because if cancellation is late, the obligation to pay premiums may continue.
The second pillar (BVG) capital can only be withdrawn in cash to a limited extent in the case of EU/EFTA citizens; the mandatory portion (obligatorischer Teil) can only be paid out under specific conditions. It is worth clarifying this with the Freizügigkeitsstiftung (vested benefits foundation) after receiving the departure notice (Freizügigkeitsausweis).
How can Swiss connections be maintained digitally?
The lack of personal presence can be partly offset with digital tools, if they are used regularly and consciously — not just occasionally.
Video calls and messaging
WhatsApp, Signal, and Threema (the latter is especially widespread in Switzerland because of privacy awareness) are the most commonly used channels. Regular, short messages are more effective for maintaining relationships than occasional long calls.
Social media and professional platforms
LinkedIn is the only platform where Swiss professional connections can be actively maintained: sharing content regularly, commenting, sending congratulations. An inactive LinkedIn profile gradually loses visibility in your contacts' feeds.
Online communities
For Hungarians living in Switzerland or who have returned from there, there are several online communities (Facebook groups, forums) where information exchange and staying in touch can continue informally. The svajc.com Knowledge Base and community are also such a channel.
What happens to the Swiss bank account and financial obligations?
This is one of the areas most often mishandled. The main questions are:
Can the Swiss bank account be kept after moving back to Hungary?
Yes, most Swiss banks (UBS, Raiffeisen, PostFinance, Kantonalbanken) allow account maintenance even with a foreign address, but the conditions may become stricter: some banks charge higher fees for non-residents (Non-Resident-Konto), while others discontinue certain products (e.g. credit cards, mortgages). The bank must be informed of the change of address — this is a legal obligation.
Automatic exchange of information (AIA / AEOI)
Switzerland participates in the automatic exchange of financial account information (Automatischer Informationsaustausch / AIA). This means that the Swiss bank reports your account balance and interest income annually to the Hungarian tax authority (NAV) if you are tax resident in Hungary. This is neither prohibited nor punishable — but the interest income from the Swiss account must be declared in the Hungarian tax return.
Insurance
KVG (mandatory health insurance) ends when you deregister — you must cancel it separately with the insurer.
The terms of supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung / VVG) vary by insurer; some policies can also be maintained with a foreign address, while others end.
Life insurance and the third pillar (Säule 3a) require individual assessment; Säule 3a can be withdrawn under certain conditions when moving to the EU.
How can the Swiss professional network be maintained?
Maintaining professional relationships requires active investment. Passive presence (e.g. without updating your LinkedIn profile) is not enough.
LinkedIn and online professional presence
Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your move back home and your new role — transparency builds trust.
Take part in Swiss professional groups and comment on industry news.
Keep your Swiss references up to date: ask for Recommendations before leaving Switzerland, while the working relationship is still fresh.
Alumni networks
Swiss universities (ETH Zürich, EPFL, Universität Zürich, etc.) run active alumni networks that you can join even after graduation, and they organise regular events — including ones outside Switzerland.
Professional associations and chambers
The Swiss–Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Hungarian–Swiss Chamber of Commerce) and some Swiss industry associations allow membership even with a foreign address. This is especially useful if you maintain business ties between the two countries.
How should regular visits to Switzerland be organised?
Personal presence is irreplaceable when it comes to maintaining deeper relationships. Planning regular visits requires logistical and financial discipline.
Travel planning
Zürich, Geneva and Basel airports are connected to Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport by direct flights (Wizz Air, SWISS, easyJet — the offer changes, so it is worth checking in advance).
Combining advance-booked tickets with flexible dates can reduce costs.
One or two planned visits a year may be enough to keep personal relationships fresh if digital communication is regular.
Accommodation
After moving back home, accommodation costs are a significant item. Staying with acquaintances, Airbnb, and discounted hotel rates for longer stays can all be considered. Some Swiss employers also offer discounted accommodation through alumni programmes.
Travel rights of Hungarian citizens to Switzerland
As a Hungarian citizen — under the EU–Switzerland Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (Freizügigkeitsabkommen / FZA, 1999) — you may stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days without a visa as a tourist or visitor. For work, a residence permit is required beyond 90 days.
What happens to the Swiss residence permit and citizenship?
B permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung B) and L permit
The B permit (Ausländerausweis B) and the L permit (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung L) become invalid once you deregister from Switzerland. If you move back, you must submit a new permit application — although your previous period of residence in Switzerland may be taken into account.
C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung C)
The settlement permit (Ausländerausweis C) is lost if the holder deregisters from Switzerland and gives up their residence there. A C permit cannot be “paused.” If you move back, you have to start the process from scratch, although previous residence in Switzerland may, under certain conditions, speed up the granting of a new permit.
Swiss citizenship
Swiss citizenship (Schweizer Bürgerrecht) remains valid once acquired, regardless of where the person lives. Dual Hungarian–Swiss citizenship is possible, as Switzerland has generally allowed dual citizenship since 1992, and Hungary does not prohibit it. A person with Swiss citizenship can travel with a Swiss passport, vote in Swiss federal elections, and move back to Switzerland without restrictions.
Where can you find Swiss communities and organizations in Hungary?
Several organizations in Hungary connect Hungarians with Swiss experience:
Hungarian–Swiss Chamber of Commerce (Schweizerisch-Ungarische Handelskammer): business and professional networking, events, membership.
Swiss Embassy Budapesten: consular and administrative matters, cultural programs.
Pro Helvetia Budapest: Swiss cultural institute, events, scholarships.
Alumni groups: alumni organizations of Swiss universities also hold events in Hungary (e.g. ETH Alumni Hungary).
Online communities: many members of Facebook groups (e.g. groups like “Hungarians in Switzerland”) have already moved back, but stay in touch.
Sources
ch.ch – The official information portal of the Swiss Confederation: https://www.ch.ch/en/
State Secretariat for Migration (Staatssekretariat für Migration / SEM): https://www.sem.admin.ch
AHV/AVS – Swiss old-age and survivors' insurance: https://www.ahv-iv.ch
Federal Tax Administration (Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung / ESTV): https://www.estv.admin.ch
Swiss Embassy Budapest: https://www.eda.admin.ch/budapest
Pro Helvetia Budapest: https://prohelvetia.hu
Automatic exchange of information (AIA/AEOI) – ESTV information: https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/de/home/internationales-steuerrecht/fachinformationen/amtshilfe/aai.html
Related Articles in the Knowledge Base
Swiss bank account in Switzerland: close it or keep it before moving home?
How do you move back home from Switzerland? Step-by-step guide
How does the first pillar work in Switzerland from a Hungarian perspective?
Swiss bank account when moving home: should I close it or keep it?
Swiss residence permits in 2026: L, B and C permits for Hungarians
In Brief
Swiss connections can remain valuable after moving back home for social, professional, and financial reasons, but only if you actively maintain them. Before leaving Switzerland, it is worth sorting out administrative matters, tax and insurance issues, and saving important documents. Professional networks can be kept alive through regular digital presence, while personal relationships can be maintained with planned visits to Switzerland.
Key Takeaways
- Four to eight weeks before moving away, it is worth handling the Abmeldung, digitizing documents, and arranging your Swiss mailing address.
- Mandatory health insurance must be terminated as of the date of deregistration, in writing and with proof to the insurer.
- A Swiss bank account can often be kept with a foreign address at many banks, but the address change must be reported and fees may become stricter.
- If you are tax resident in Hungary, the interest income from a Swiss bank account may also appear in your Hungarian tax return due to AIA/AEOI.
- Professional contacts are best kept active on LinkedIn, through recommendations, and in alumni networks, because passive presence is not enough.
- To maintain personal Swiss connections, one or two planned visits per year may be enough if digital communication remains regular in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it worth keeping Swiss connections after moving back home?
Because they represent social, professional, and financial value at the same time. Trust-based relationships built in Switzerland are hard to replace, and Swiss work experience can be especially advantageous in multinational, financial, and engineering sectors.
What administrative steps should be handled before moving away?
The most important step is submitting the Abmeldung at the local Einwohnerkontrolle, because that is what ends the validity of the residence permit. It is also worth saving employer certificates, payslips, tax returns, AHV statements, and insurance documents.
Can a Swiss bank account be kept after moving to Hungary?
Yes, most Swiss banks allow account maintenance with a foreign address. However, the conditions may become stricter, for example higher fees or the discontinuation of certain products, and the bank must be informed of the address change.
What does AIA/AEOI mean for a Swiss bank account?
Due to automatic exchange of information, the Swiss bank may report the account balance and interest income annually to the Hungarian tax authority if the person is tax resident in Hungary. This is not prohibited in itself, but the interest income must be declared in the Hungarian tax return.
What happens to Swiss health insurance and supplementary insurance?
Mandatory health insurance ends with deregistration, but it must also be terminated separately in writing with the insurer. The terms of supplementary insurance vary by insurer: some can be maintained with a foreign address, while others end.
What happens to B, L, and C permits after moving back home?
The B and L permits become invalid when you deregister from Switzerland. The C permit cannot simply be put on hold either: if your residence in Switzerland ends, the permit is lost, and a new procedure must be started if you move back.
How can the Swiss professional network be maintained from abroad?
According to the article, LinkedIn, professional groups, recommendations, and alumni networks are the most useful tools. A connection stays alive if it is not just a profile, but is supported by regular content, comments, and updated references.
This guide is available after registration
During the launch period, the full knowledge base is available with free registration.
CHF 0 during launch
- All guides and checklists
- Downloadable PDF templates
- Sample documents
- Early access to new content
Preview - the guide continues after login