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Moving to the canton of Geneva

A city-canton at the tip of Lake Geneva, Geneva lives to the rhythm of its international organisations; the Jet d’Eau is its signature.

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Capital
Geneva
Official language
French
Population
537,084 at 31 December 2025
Official canton website
ge.ch

Registering your arrival

14 days

Within 14 days of arriving. With: Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

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)

Granted automatically in principle, but on application for people taxed at source, without tax data, or who did not live in Geneva for the whole year.

Competent office: Service de l’assurance-maladie (SAM)

Vehicle: registration and driving licence

Competent cantonal office: Office cantonal des véhicules (OCV)

What the formalities cost

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

Registering your arrivalIncluded in the permit application
EU/EFTA residence permit applicationCHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per childAt each renewal
Job seeking: permit beyond 3 monthsCHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per childAt each renewal
Partner’s residence permitCHF 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 150One-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 Geneva?

Within 14 days of arriving, with: Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

How much does registration cost?

Included in the permit application. You register together with the permit application; only the permit is charged.

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

At the cantonal road traffic office: Office cantonal des véhicules (OCV). Exchanging a foreign driving licence costs CHF 150.

How do I get a health insurance premium reduction?

Granted automatically in principle, but on application for people taxed at source, without tax data, or who did not live in Geneva for the whole year. Competent office: Service de l’assurance-maladie (SAM).

Common questions when you move

All 26 cantons

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