Once you move in, formalities do not wait: in most cantons you must register with the new municipality within 14 days. This national guide explains the registration duty and the Register Harmonisation Act (RHG) in plain terms, walks you through eUmzugCH, lists typical documents and fees, and reminds you about mail forwarding, Serafe, insurance and vehicle re-registration. For Zurich-specific steps we point you to the city guide.
Registration duty: deregister and register within 14 days
Anyone who moves within Switzerland must report the change of residence to the municipalities. In practice that means deregistering with your previous commune and registering with the new one. Registration must usually take place within 14 days of moving in – that is what most municipal fact sheets say and what this site treats as the standard deadline.
The duty rests on cantonal and municipal law as well as the Register Harmonisation Act (RHG). The RHG requires communes to keep resident data consistent and up to date so authorities, tax offices and other bodies work with the same addresses. For you as a private person, that mainly means meeting deadlines and having the right papers ready.
Deregistration and registration – which comes first?
In many cantons the new municipality automatically deregisters you from the old one once you register. Even so, it is worth clarifying the process before moving day: some communes expect a separate deregistration before you leave, others handle everything through the new registration. If you move within the same municipality, an address change is often enough instead of a full new registration.
- Note your move-in date and new address – the 14-day clock starts when you move in.
- Check with the new municipality whether online registration (e.g. eUmzugCH) is available.
- Prepare your documents and only book a counter appointment if online is not enough.
- Keep the registration confirmation – insurers and employers often ask for it.
For the concrete process in the City of Zurich – including ESA, the online portal and special cases – see the guide Registering your move in Zurich. This article stays deliberately Switzerland-wide and does not replace the city’s step-by-step instructions.
eUmzugCH: register and deregister online
eUmzugCH is the national online portal for registrations, deregistrations and address changes. Instead of waiting at the counter, you can report your move digitally in many municipalities – often with document uploads and a confirmation by email or post afterwards.
<!-- VERIFY --> eUmzugCH is available in most cantons (around 24 of 26) and continues to expand. Important: not every commune within a connected canton is necessarily linked yet. Whether your old and new municipalities are reachable online is best checked on eumzug.swiss or on each commune’s website.
When online is enough – and when it is not
- Moves between two connected municipalities can often be completed entirely online.
- First-time registration from abroad or complex residence permits frequently still require a counter visit.
- Missing digital identity or incomplete documents can stop the online process.
- If anything is unclear (weekly residence, secondary home), a short call to the residents’ registration office helps.
Do not leave the online application until the last day of the deadline. Technical follow-ups, missing uploads or a commune that still checks applications manually can take a few working days. If you are also organising a private move, put registration on the checklist early – ideally alongside the moving date and apartment handover.
Documents you need
Which papers the municipality asks for depends on the canton, your status (Swiss citizenship, foreigner’s permit) and your family situation. The overview below covers the most common requirements – the binding list is always on the commune website or in the eUmzugCH form.
Typical documents for registration after a move
| Document | Who needs it? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or identity card | All adults | Valid and readable; copies often accepted as uploads |
| Tenancy agreement or housing certificate | Tenants | Move-in date and address must match |
| Family record / family certificate | Families with children | Name varies by canton |
| AHV card or AHV number | Often for online registration | Useful for eUmzugCH and identification |
| Foreigner’s permit | People without Swiss citizenship | Permit must match the place of residence |
Extra papers in special cases
- Marriage or partnership certificate if your name has changed.
- Divorce decree or custody proof if relevant for registering children.
- Employer confirmation or study certificate for weekly residence.
- Proof of ownership instead of a tenancy agreement if you move into your own property.
Scan or photograph documents in good quality in good time. Blurry uploads are a common reason online registrations are rejected and you still have to appear in person.
Fees for registration and deregistration
<!-- VERIFY --> Fees for registration, deregistration or an address change typically sit around CHF 20 to 50 depending on the municipality. Some communes charge per person, others per household; children may be discounted or free. Online procedures are not always cheaper than the counter.
Extra costs rarely come from the registration office itself, but from follow-up steps: new number plates when you change canton, a Post forwarding order, or fees for certifications. Build these into your moving budget so the “small” registration does not become a surprise.
What to check before you pay
- Whether the fee is already shown in the online portal.
- Whether all household members are covered in the same transaction.
- Whether a confirmation (receipt) follows digitally or by post.
- Whether a move within the same commune only triggers a cheaper address change.
After registration: what else to sort out
Once the residents’ registration office confirms your address, the official part is done – but the administrative move is not. Many organisations do not learn about the address change automatically. A short checklist stops mail, bills and insurance from going to the old address.
Important address updates after the move
| Organisation | What to do? | Deadline / tip |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Post | Set up a forwarding order | Ideally before moving day; duration is flexible |
| Serafe (radio/TV) | Update your address | Household obligation – the address must be correct |
| Health insurer & other policies | Report household, liability and life cover | Premiums can change with region or floor area |
| Bank & employer | Check address and tax canton | Salary statement and correspondence |
| Road traffic office | Re-register the vehicle when changing canton | Usually within 14 days |
Vehicle and change of canton
If you move to another canton, you must register the vehicle with the new canton’s road traffic office – usually within 14 days. New plates, fees and possibly adjustments to motor third-party liability come with that. If you stay in the same canton, an address notification without changing plates is often enough.
For the best moving day and Switzerland’s quarterly rhythm, see Moving dates in Switzerland. The full organisational picture – from boxes to registration – is in the private moving checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
Depending on the canton and municipality, warnings or fines may apply, and official mail may not reach you reliably. Register as soon as you can afterwards – the sooner, the simpler. A late registration is better than none.
Do I need to register as a weekly resident?
Weekly residents often keep their main residence at the family or home address and register a weekly stay at the place of work or study. Exact rules and evidence (e.g. employer or study confirmation) are set by the municipality – clarify this before you move in.
How do I register when moving from abroad?
For a first residence in Switzerland a personal appointment at the residents’ registration office is often required – online alone is frequently not enough. Bring your passport, permit documents and tenancy agreement, and ask in advance about appointment requirements and translations.
Do I still need to go to the municipality as a subtenant?
Yes. As a subtenant you must also register your residence if that is where you live as your main centre of life. The sublease agreement or a confirmation from the main tenant usually replaces a standard tenancy agreement.
Can I register online?
In many municipalities yes – via eUmzugCH or the local portal. Whether your commune is connected is shown on eumzug.swiss or the municipal website. Special cases such as a first move from abroad often still need a counter visit.