Moving to the canton of Fribourg
Straddling the language border, Fribourg brings together a medieval old town, its cheeses and a bilingual university.
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- Capital
- Fribourg
- Official languages
- French, German
- Population
- 350,918 at 31 December 2025
- Official canton website
- fr.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)
On application to the cantonal AHV/AVS compensation office. 2025 deadline: 31 August of the current year; entitlement starts at the earliest in the month the application is submitted.
Competent office: Caisse cantonale de compensation AVS
Insuring your contents against fire (compulsory)
Compulsory: movable property in the canton must be insured against fire, explosion, lightning and natural hazards. You choose your company freely among authorised private insurers; a household insurance policy covering these risks meets the obligation.
Vehicle: registration and driving licence
Competent cantonal office: Office de la circulation et de la navigation (OCN)
What the formalities cost
Official amounts where the Confederation sets them; otherwise the authority that sets the fee.
| Registering your arrival | CHF 20 per adult (in Fribourg) | One-off |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EFTA residence permit application | At most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child | At each renewal |
| Job seeking: permit beyond 3 months | At most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child | At each renewal |
| Partner’s residence permit | At most CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child | At each renewal |
| Enrolling your children in school | Free | |
| Basic health insurance (LAMal) | Premium depends on the insurer | Every month |
| Supplementary health insurance | Premium depends on the policy | Every month |
| Health insurance subsidy (premium reduction) | Free to apply | |
| Opening a Swiss bank account | Fees depend on the bank | Every month |
| Exchanging a foreign driving licence | CHF 50–150 | One-off |
| Customs clearance of the vehicle (removal goods) | Duty-free | |
| Swiss vehicle liability insurance | Premium depends on the insurer | Every year |
| Inspection and registration (Swiss plates) | Cantonal fee | One-off |
| OASI number and occupational pension | 5.3% of gross salary | Every month |
| Withholding tax | Rate depends on your income | Every month |
| Family allowances | At least CHF 215 per child | Every month |
| OASI: registering without gainful employment | CHF 530 to 26,500 | Every year |
| Insuring your contents against fire (compulsory) | Premium depends on the insurer | Every year |
| Radio and TV licence fee (Serafe) | CHF 335 per household | Every 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
- Insuring your contents against fire (compulsory)
- Radio and TV licence fee (Serafe)
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