First 90 Days in Switzerland: What to Watch Out For and What It Costs
The first 90 days in Switzerland are full of deadlines and pitfalls. We summarise the most important tasks: registration, KVG, bank account, taxation.
Why is the first 90 days critical?
In Switzerland, the authorities do not automatically get in touch with you. The system works on the principle that the newcomer must initiate every registration, and deadlines are calculated almost without exception from the date of arrival — not from the signing of the employment contract, and not from taking over the apartment.
The three most important deadlines build on one another:
Task | Deadline (from arrival) | Consequence if missed |
|---|---|---|
Registering your address (Einwohnerkontrolle) | 14 days | Administrative fine, delay in issuing the permit |
Taking out health insurance (KVG/LAMal) | 3 months | The authorities assign an insurer, retroactive premium payment |
14 days if employed | Unlawful residence is established |
These three obligations are the “administrative foundation” — everything else (bank account, taxes, transport) is built on top of them.
Registration and address records — when and how?
The registration deadline is 14 days from the date of arrival. The name of the competent office varies by canton: in most places it is Einwohnerkontrolle (in German), Contrôle des habitants (in French) or Controllo abitanti (in Italian). In Zürich, for example, one of the counters at the Stadthaus handles this, while in Bern it is the Einwohnerdienste.
What you need to bring:
Valid passport or identity card
Rental contract or written confirmation from the main tenant that you are staying there (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
Employer’s certificate or employment contract (if you are arriving as an employee)
Completed registration form (downloadable from the authority’s website, or provided on site)
The result of registration: the office issues the Anmeldebestätigung (registration confirmation) document and starts the process for issuing the residence permit (Ausländerausweis). The permit arrives by post, usually within 2–6 weeks.
Hungary-specific note: if you consider Switzerland your primary place of residence, it is also worth starting the Hungarian address deregistration process in parallel with registration. This affects your health insurance status (OEP / NEAK transfer), tax residency, and voting rights. If you are unsure, do not postpone this step, but do not rush into it without consultation either.
Opening a bank account and financial basics
In Switzerland, you can hardly get anything done without a bank account: employers pay only by bank transfer, most rentals also expect bank transfer, and insurers collect premiums the same way.
Opening an account usually takes 1–3 weeks, and at most major banks it requires an in-person visit (UBS, UBS as the successor to Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, Kantonalbank). Required documents:
Valid passport
Registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung) — this is why address registration is the first step
Employment contract (some banks request it, others do not)
Alternative options for the first few weeks: Neon, Yuh, or Revolut Swiss accounts can also be opened online and are available more quickly — but these are not full Swiss bank accounts, and employers do not always accept them for payroll purposes. They are suitable as a temporary solution.
Typical first-month financial expenses (approximate figures for Zürich / a major city, 2025):
Item | Approximate amount (CHF) |
|---|---|
3 000–7 000 | |
First month’s rent | 1 500–3 000 |
KVG basic insurance (see separate section) | 350–600 / month |
Utilities advance / setup fees | 100–300 |
Public transport pass (e.g. ZVV zone 110) | 85–100 / month |
Food and household | 600–900 / month |
So the first month can easily cost CHF 8,000–12,000 if the deposit is included as well. That is roughly HUF 3.2–4.8 million (at mid-2025 exchange rates, around 400 HUF/CHF — the exchange rate changes daily, so please check the current rate).
Health insurance (KVG / LAMal) — obligations and deadlines
In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory and private — the state does not automatically insure anyone. The system is called Krankenversicherungsgesetz (KVG) in German, Loi sur l'assurance-maladie (LAMal) in French.
The deadline to take out insurance is 3 months from arrival, but the insurance is valid retroactively from the day of arrival. If someone takes it out within the 3-month deadline, but had a medical visit 2 weeks after arrival, that will also be covered by the insurer — retroactively. If the deadline is missed, the cantonal authority will assign an insurer, and the premium must be paid retroactively, plus any late-payment surcharge.
The monthly premium varies significantly by canton and insurer. In Zürich, for an adult over 26 in 2025, basic insurance (Grundversicherung) typically costs between CHF 350–600 / month, depending on the chosen deductible (Franchise). The deductible can be selected from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 per year — higher deductible = lower monthly premium.
It is worth looking for an insurer on Priminfo.ch comparison tool (the official tool of the Federal Office of Public Health / BAG).Hungary-specific point:
when you take out Swiss KVG insurance, your Hungarian social insurance status (NEAK) ends if you register your address in Switzerland. When visiting home, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in Switzerland ensures EU treatment — you need to request this from your insurer.Transport card and driving in Switzerland
Public transport
Switzerland’s public transport network (SBB/CFF/FFS, local buses, trams) is based on a pass system. In the first few days, it is worth registering for the
SwissPass — the unified transport ID to which passes and discounts (e.g. Halbtax / half-fare card) can be linked.The
Halbtax (half-fare travelcard) costs about CHF 185 per year (2025), and cuts every ticket on the SBB network in half — in the long run, it pays off for almost everyone.
Hungarian driving licence and Swiss exchange
With a Hungarian driving licence in Switzerland 12 months you may drive after taking up residence. After that, it must be exchanged for a Swiss driving licence. The procedure takes place at the competent cantonal road traffic authority (Strassenverkehrsamt); in the case of an EU driving licence, in general you do not need to retake the test, only an administrative exchange is required.
What is worth knowing: Swiss compulsory motor liability insurance (Motorfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung) is arranged in parallel with the application for licence plates. With foreign plates, you may only drive legally for a limited time while resident in Switzerland.
What does the first 90 days cost? — Common cost traps
The financial burden of the first 90 days catches many people by surprise, because the Swiss system concentrates several major expenses into the first weeks after arrival.
The most common mistakes and their consequences:
Underestimating the deposit. In Switzerland, the deposit may legally be a maximum of 3 months’ rent, but it must be paid in full — typically in the form of a bank guarantee (Mietkautionskonto). This money is frozen until the end of the tenancy.
Not planning for KVG premiums. Many people calculate based on net salary, but the KVG premium is not deducted automatically by the employer (unlike social insurance contributions in Hungary) — it is paid directly by the individual to the insurer. It can appear as an unexpected monthly expense of CHF 400–600.
Misunderstanding withholding tax (Quellensteuer). If someone works with a B permit and does not have Swiss citizenship, the employer automatically deducts Quellensteuer (withholding tax) from their salary. This is not the final tax burden — in some cases an annual tax return must be filed, while in others this is the only form of tax payment. The exact rules vary by canton and income level.
Unexpected strength of the Swiss franc. In the first months, many people think in forints and underestimate the real level of Swiss prices. A lunch costs CHF 18–25, a haircut CHF 80–120, and the amount above the deductible for a paediatric visit can be as much as CHF 100–200.
Financing the apartment search period. If someone arrives in Switzerland but does not yet have an apartment, temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hostel, sublet) can cost CHF 2 000–4 000 per month. Finding an apartment in Zürich, Genève and Basel usually takes 4–10 weeks.
Work, taxation and social insurance — what do you need to know in the first weeks?
AHV/AVS and social contributions
In Switzerland, social insurance (Social insurance) starts automatically with employment. The employer registers the employee with the Ausgleichskasse (compensation fund) and deducts AHV/AVS (old-age and survivors’ insurance), IV/AI (disability insurance) and ALV/AC (unemployment insurance) contributions.
The employee and the employer each pay half of the contributions. The total AHV/ALV/IV contribution is approximately 12–13% of gross salary (employer + employee together, approximate 2025 figure).
Second pillar (BVG / LPP)
The berufliche Vorsorge (BVG) — the mandatory occupational pension scheme — starts automatically if annual salary exceeds the entry threshold (in 2025, around CHF 22,050). The employer contributes at least as much as the employee.
Hungary-specific point: if you leave Switzerland and return to Hungary (an EU member state), you cannot withdraw the BVG savings in cash — they must remain in a Swiss Freizügigkeitskonto (vested benefits account), or be transferred into an EU pension system. This is an important rule that many people misunderstand.
Tax residence and the Hungarian-Swiss double taxation agreement
When you move to Switzerland, your tax residence generally shifts to Switzerland. The double taxation agreement in force between the two countries (1981, as amended) prevents the same income from being taxed in both countries. The details — especially for property income, capital income and pensions — require individual assessment.
When and where should you ask for help?
Swiss public authorities and institutions
ch.ch — the unified portal of the federal and cantonal authorities; the best starting point for initial information
Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants — address registration and residence permit
Strassenverkehrsamt — driving licence exchange, vehicle registration
Priminfo.ch — comparison of KVG insurers (official BAG tool)
AHV/AVS compensation fund (Ausgleichskasse) — for social insurance matters
Hungarian communities and organisations in Switzerland
Several long-established Hungarian communities operate in Switzerland, offering informal support, exchange of experience and information:
Zurich: Hungarian Cultural Association Zurich and Surroundings
Bern: Hungarian Reformed Congregation and cultural organizations
Geneva: Hungarian Diaspora Community Geneva
Basel: a smaller but active Hungarian community
These organizations do not replace legal or tax advice, but they provide invaluable help with practical questions in the first few weeks (which doctor speaks Hungarian, where to buy Hungarian food, which school will accept the child).
Hungarian-speaking professionals in Switzerland
Accountants, lawyers, and financial advisors who are native Hungarian speakers or also work in Hungarian are available in Zürich, Geneva, and Basel. The specialist database in the svajc.com Knowledge Base is available after registration.
Sources
Swiss federal portal (ch.ch): https://www.ch.ch
Federal Office of Public Health — KVG insurer comparison tool (Priminfo): https://www.priminfo.admin.ch
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM — Staatssekretariat für Migration): https://www.sem.admin.ch
SBB / SwissPass transport pass: https://www.sbb.ch
Federal Tax Administration (ESTV — Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung): https://www.estv.admin.ch
AHV/AVS information portal: https://www.ahv-iv.ch
Related Articles
Swiss residence permits in 2026: L, B and C permits for Hungarians
The complete guide to the Swiss healthcare system for Hungarians
How do you choose an insurer in Switzerland from a Hungarian perspective?
How do we find an apartment in Switzerland? Step-by-step guide
How do you close your Swiss affairs before moving back home?
In Brief
In Switzerland, the administrative order of the first 90 days is crucial: within 14 days you must register your address, and if you are taking up employment you must also start the residence permit process; health insurance must be arranged within 3 months. The cost of the first month, including the deposit, can reach CHF 8 000–12 000 in a major city, so housing, the KVG premium and a bank account should be your first financial priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Arrange your address registration within 14 days of arrival, as it is the basis for the residence permit and several other procedures.
- If you are taking up employment, start the process for a B or L permit within 14 days; otherwise, unlawful residence may also be an issue.
- Health insurance must be arranged within 3 months; if this is not done, the authorities will assign an insurer and the premium must be paid retroactively.
- It is advisable to open a bank account after obtaining the registration confirmation, as salary payments, rent and insurance premiums are all based on it.
- Include the deposit in your first-month budget; in a major city this can raise total start-up costs to CHF 8 000–12 000.
- It is worth deciding in good time whether to deregister your Hungarian address and transfer your health insurance coverage, as this can also affect tax residency and your NEAK status.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after arrival do you need to register in Switzerland?
Address registration must be completed within 14 days of arrival. Missing the deadline can result in a fine and delay the issuance of the permit.
What documents are needed for address registration in Switzerland?
Usually a valid passport or ID card, a rental contract or confirmation from the main tenant, employer confirmation or an employment contract, and the completed registration form are required. The office then issues the Anmeldebestätigung document.
When do you need to take out Swiss health insurance?
The KVG/LAMal basic insurance must be taken out within 3 months of arrival. If this is done on time, the insurance is valid retroactively from the day of arrival.
What happens if someone misses the deadline for Swiss health insurance?
The cantonal authority will assign an insurer, and the premium must be paid retroactively. A late-payment surcharge may also apply.
How much money do you need for the first months in Switzerland?
According to the article, in a major city the first month can cost as much as CHF 8 000–12 000 if the deposit is included. This covers the rental deposit, first month’s rent, insurance, utilities, transport and food.
How long can you drive in Switzerland with a Hungarian driving licence?
After settling in, you may drive in Switzerland with a Hungarian driving licence for 12 months. After that, it must be exchanged for a Swiss driving licence, usually through an administrative procedure.
Why is deregistering your Hungarian address important when moving to Switzerland?
Because it can affect health insurance status, tax residency and even voting rights. According to the article, this should not be postponed, but it should also not be rushed without consultation.
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