A move involving a change of canton in Switzerland affects thousands of people each year and requires careful planning. Inter-cantonal migration is a significant part of population mobility – over 400 changes of residence are reported daily via the eUmzugCH portal alone. If you’re planning a move to another canton, you need to be aware of various administrative steps: from registering and deregistering with local municipalities to updating your vehicle registration and adjusting your health insurance. The key to a smooth transition lies in early planning and observing all important deadlines, especially the 14-day registration requirement after the move.
Registering and Deregistering with the Municipality: The First Crucial Step
If you’re moving to a new canton, registering with your new municipality and deregistering from your old one is your first and most essential step. The law clearly states: within 14 days of your move, you must deregister from your old municipality and register in your new one.
To register in your new municipality, you’ll typically need the following documents:
- Certificate of origin (“Heimatschein”)
- Current proof of health insurance
- Family record book (if applicable)
- Valid ID or passport
To make your move easier, many municipalities now offer convenient online services. Through the eUmzugCH portal, around 400 people daily handle their change of residence from home – even outside regular office hours.
After successful registration, your new municipality will automatically forward your data to the relevant authorities, including the tax office. This is especially important when moving to a new canton, as your tax situation may also change.
Plan your move well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress. The 14-day deadline is mandatory – failing to comply can lead to administrative issues. Be sure to check the specific requirements of your future municipality before the move.
Car Registration When Changing Cantons: What to Do at the Road Traffic Office
Changing cantons doesn’t just mean a new place to live – it also comes with administrative responsibilities. One key task is re-registering your vehicle with the new canton’s road traffic office. You have exactly 14 days after your move to complete this.
To register your vehicle, you’ll need:
- The current vehicle registration certificate
- Your driver’s license
- The license plates from your former canton (you’ll exchange them for new plates from your new canton)
There are two ways to handle this: in person at the road traffic office counter, or by mail. Mailing is often the cheaper option, as some cantons charge additional processing fees for in-person transactions. Processing can take several weeks, depending on the office’s workload.
A financial consideration when switching cantons is the vehicle tax, which varies greatly by canton. Each canton uses different criteria, such as vehicle weight, engine size, or CO₂ emissions. It’s advisable to inform yourself in advance about the vehicle tax in your new canton.
Health Insurance When Changing Cantons: Premiums and Notification Requirement
Notifying your health insurer is one of the most important steps when moving to a new canton. Since insurance premiums can vary significantly between and even within cantons, a move can directly affect your monthly payments.
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) monitors how health insurance companies calculate their premiums to ensure compliance with legal guidelines. Many cantons – such as Bern, Graubünden, Lucerne, St. Gallen, and Zurich – have up to three premium regions, which influence your insurance costs.
As soon as you know you’re moving, inform your health insurer. Most offer convenient online forms. Timely notification is important because if your move results in a premium change, you have a special right of cancellation. After insurers announce new premiums by October 31, you have until November 30 to cancel your policy.
To ensure uninterrupted coverage, plan your move carefully. You must be registered with a health insurer no later than three months after moving into your new canton. Ideally, complete the switch at the same time as your move to avoid complications.
Also, keep in mind that you might need to change your general practitioner. If you have a managed care model with a GP requirement, notify your insurer of the new doctor.
Checklist: How to Master Your Canton Change Stress-Free
To ensure your move to a new canton goes smoothly, here are the most important steps in chronological order:
Before the move:
- Deregister from your previous municipality in good time
- Inform your health insurance provider about the canton change
- Review new premium rates and consider switching insurers
- Contact the road traffic office to arrange vehicle re-registration
Within 14 days after the move:
- Register with the new municipality using all required documents
- Re-register your car and apply for new license plates
- Update your address with key contacts such as your bank, postal service, and employer
Remember, changing cantons involves more administrative work than a move within the same canton. This structured checklist helps you stay on top of everything and avoid unnecessary complications. Whenever possible, use online services like eUmzugCH to simplify the process.
