Moving to Switzerland: schools, healthcare, daily life

Moving to Switzerland is not only a matter of a residence permit and an employment contract. Daily life — the children’s schooling, healthcare, services, local habits — often has more impact than bureaucracy on the success of the move. Those who arrive prepared settle in faster and with fewer surprises. Here is a guide to the topics that really matter in the first months.

The first administrative steps

Immediately upon arrival, within a few days you must register with the municipality of domicile (residents’ registration office) and start the procedure for the residence permit. This stage also determines the tax domicile and enrolment in the local registers. It is the moment when the rental contract, permit, bank account and insurance all interlock: it is best to tackle them as a single project, not as isolated formalities.

The school system

Swiss schooling is a strength, but it has its own features:

public education is managed by the cantons, so curricula, calendars and organisation vary from one canton to another;
the language of instruction depends on the region (Italian in Ticino, German, French or Romansh elsewhere): it is a key factor in choosing where to live for families;
public school is free and of good quality, and also represents an excellent path to linguistic integration for children;
there are private and international schools, useful for those anticipating a short stay or wanting an English-language path, but with high fees.

A distinctive feature is the dual vocational training (apprenticeship), which alternates school and work and enjoys great regard: it is not a fallback choice but a valuable path.

Healthcare and health insurance

The Swiss healthcare system is of high quality and rests on a clear principle: basic health insurance (LAMal) is compulsory for all residents. Essential points for those arriving:

you must, as a rule, take out insurance within three months of arrival, with retroactive effect to the date of domicile;
every person, children included, has an individual policy: there is no single family coverage;
the cost depends on the premium, deductible and insurance model chosen, not on income;
for modest incomes there is a premium reduction, managed at cantonal level.

Alongside the basic insurance, many take out optional supplementary coverage for additional services. Healthcare is excellent but not free: budget and insurance choices must be planned from the outset.

Daily life

Some practical aspects surprise those arriving:

rents absorb a significant share of the budget and the search for housing is competitive; a guarantee (deposit) equal to a few months’ rent is often required;
payments almost always go through the bank account, via transfer or QR invoice;
the cost of living is high, but balanced by good salaries and services;
public transport is extensive and punctual: passes and dedicated cards make it convenient to get around without a car;
respect for the rules of coexistence (quiet hours, waste management with separate collection, punctuality) is taken seriously.

Language and integration

Even coming from Italian-speaking Ticino, learning — or brushing up — the language of the region where you live makes work, school and relationships easier. Many municipalities and cantons offer courses and integration programmes. Investing in the language is, in practice, the most effective accelerator for feeling at home.

Mistakes to avoid

Postponing registration with the municipality and the permit procedures beyond the deadlines.
Forgetting health insurance within the three months, with the risk of back coverage to settle.
Underestimating the cost of housing and the requirements demanded for renting.
Choosing where to live without considering the language of the children’s school.

How we work at SIH ONE

We support individuals and families through all phases of relocating to Switzerland: coordination of the residence permit, registration with the municipality, setting up the compulsory insurance, opening banking relationships and guidance on tax and everyday matters, so as to turn a complex move into an orderly journey.

Are you planning to relocate with your family? Discover our services related to permits and tackle every step with the right support.