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Moving to the canton of Glarus

Glarus, an industrial valley framed by rock walls, still votes by Landsgemeinde on the square of its capital.

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Capital
Glarus
Official language
German
Population
42,451 at 31 December 2025
Official canton website
gl.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 for everyone (form sent to all households, can be submitted on my.gl.ch). Deadline: 31 January; after that, only the premiums following the application are reduced. Taxed at source: you must be resident on 1 January.

Competent office: Kanton Glarus (my.gl.ch)

Vehicle: registration and driving licence

Competent cantonal office: Strassenverkehrs- und Schifffahrtsamt

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 100–400One-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 Glarus?

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

How much does registration cost?

No fee stated in Glarus. 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. Exchanging a foreign driving licence costs CHF 100–400.

How do I get a health insurance premium reduction?

On application for everyone (form sent to all households, can be submitted on my.gl.ch). Deadline: 31 January; after that, only the premiums following the application are reduced. Taxed at source: you must be resident on 1 January. Competent office: Kanton Glarus (my.gl.ch).

Common questions when you move

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