How much does registration cost?

No municipal fee in Sarnen. When arriving from abroad, only the permit fees are charged.

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

At the cantonal road traffic office: Verkehrssicherheitszentrum OW/NW. Exchanging a foreign driving licence costs CHF 100–140.

Moving to the canton of Obwalden

Q: How long do I have to register in the canton of Obwalden?

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

Obwalden opens onto Engelberg and its abbey, at the foot of the Titlis.

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Capital: Sarnen
Official language: German
Population: 39,879 at 31 December 2025
Official canton website: ow.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)

A form is sent in mid-December to people presumed eligible; people taxed at source use the application form. 2025 deadline: 31 May, with no late applications.

Competent office: Volkswirtschaftsdepartement Obwalden

Vehicle: registration and driving licence

Competent cantonal office: Verkehrssicherheitszentrum OW/NW

What the formalities cost

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

Registering your arrival	No municipal fee
EU/EFTA residence permit application	CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child, plus postage	At each renewal
Job seeking: permit beyond 3 months	CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child, plus postage	At each renewal
Partner’s residence permit	CHF 65 per adult, CHF 30 per child, plus postage	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 100–140	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
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
Radio and TV licence fee (Serafe)

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