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.
Quick Answer
As a Hungarian citizen, moving to Switzerland is relatively straightforward from a legal standpoint — under the EU–Switzerland Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FZA, Freizügigkeitsabkommen), no prior work visa is required. That said, the process demands serious preparation: document authentication, finding accommodation, opening a bank account, mandatory health insurance, and deregistration formalities in Hungary — all running in parallel, and mistakes can cause delays of months. Below, we walk you through every step with concrete deadlines and the relevant institutions.
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.