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Moving to the canton of Bern

A bilingual canton and seat of the federal authorities, Bern runs from the Aare and its old town to the peaks of the Oberland.

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Capital
Bern
Official languages
German, French
Population
1,076,127 at 31 December 2025
Official canton website
be.ch

Registering your arrival

14 days

Within 14 days of arriving. With: Residents’ registration office of your municipality.

Documents to bring

  • Valid passport or ID card (every member of the household)
  • Signed employment contract or confirmation of employment
  • Tenancy agreement or proof of accommodation
  • Civil status documents (marriage, children’s birth) depending on your situation
  • Recent passport photo (often required)

Health insurance premium reductions (subsidies)

Entitlement is generally established automatically from your tax assessment. People taxed at source must apply (application required).

Competent office: Amt für Sozialversicherungen / Office des assurances sociales

Vehicle: registration and driving licence

Competent cantonal office: Strassenverkehrs- und Schifffahrtsamt / Office de la circulation routière et de la navigation

What the formalities cost

Official amounts where the Confederation sets them; otherwise the authority that sets the fee.

Registering your arrivalNo fee stated
EU/EFTA residence permit applicationAt most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per childAt each renewal
Job seeking: permit beyond 3 monthsAt most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per childAt each renewal
Partner’s residence permitAt most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per childAt each renewal
Enrolling your children in schoolFree
Basic health insurance (LAMal)Premium depends on the insurerEvery month
Supplementary health insurancePremium depends on the policyEvery month
Health insurance subsidy (premium reduction)Free to apply
Opening a Swiss bank accountFees depend on the bankEvery month
Exchanging a foreign driving licenceCHF 120One-off
Customs clearance of the vehicle (removal goods)Duty-free
Swiss vehicle liability insurancePremium depends on the insurerEvery year
Inspection and registration (Swiss plates)Cantonal feeOne-off
OASI number and occupational pension5.3% of gross salaryEvery month
Withholding taxRate depends on your incomeEvery month
Family allowancesAt least CHF 215 per childEvery month
OASI: registering without gainful employmentCHF 530 to 26,500Every year
Radio and TV licence fee (Serafe)CHF 335 per householdEvery year

Every formality when you move

CheckSwiss keeps only the ones that apply to you, based on your job, family and vehicle, and reminds you of the deadlines.

Permits & municipality

  • Registering your arrival
  • EU/EFTA residence permit application
  • Job of up to 3 months: notification procedure
  • Job seeking: permit beyond 3 months
  • Partner’s residence permit
  • Enrolling your children in school

Health insurance

  • Basic health insurance (LAMal)
  • Supplementary health insurance
  • Health insurance subsidy (premium reduction)

Bank

  • Opening a Swiss bank account

Vehicle

  • Exchanging a foreign driving licence
  • Customs clearance of the vehicle (removal goods)
  • Swiss vehicle liability insurance
  • Inspection and registration (Swiss plates)

Cross-border commuters

  • Cross-border permit (G permit)
  • Cross-border commuter: health insurance
  • Cross-border commuter: tax on your salary

Taxes & pensions

  • OASI number and occupational pension
  • Self-employed: join an OASI compensation fund
  • Withholding tax
  • Family allowances
  • OASI: registering without gainful employment
  • Radio and TV licence fee (Serafe)

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Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to register in the canton of Bern?

Within 14 days of arriving, with: Residents’ registration office of your municipality.

How much does registration cost?

No fee stated in Bern. The capital’s official page only mentions the permit: ask your municipality for its fee.

Where do I re-register my car and exchange my driving licence?

At the cantonal road traffic office: Strassenverkehrs- und Schifffahrtsamt / Office de la circulation routière et de la navigation. Exchanging a foreign driving licence costs CHF 120.

How do I get a health insurance premium reduction?

Entitlement is generally established automatically from your tax assessment. People taxed at source must apply (application required). Competent office: Amt für Sozialversicherungen / Office des assurances sociales.

Common questions when you move

All 26 cantons

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