Moving to the canton of Valais
Valais follows the Rhône between vineyards and four-thousanders; the Matterhorn towers over Zermatt, in the south of the canton.
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- Capital
- Sion
- Official languages
- French, German
- Population
- 376,113 at 31 December 2025
- Official canton website
- vs.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)
Automatic registration for cantonal taxpayers; on application for people taxed at source or not registered. 2025 deadline: 31 December.
Competent office: Caisse de compensation du canton du Valais
Vehicle: registration and driving licence
Competent cantonal office: Service de la circulation routière et de la navigation (SCN)
What the formalities cost
Official amounts where the Confederation sets them; otherwise the authority that sets the fee.
| Registering your arrival | No fee stated | |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EFTA residence permit application | CHF 70 per adult, CHF 35 per child | At each renewal |
| Job seeking: permit beyond 3 months | CHF 70 per adult, CHF 35 per child | At each renewal |
| Partner’s residence permit | CHF 70 per adult, CHF 35 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 123.50 | 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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