Moving to Switzerland
starts with the right canton.
Switzerland is not one move — it is 26. Housing pressure, taxes, language, admin process, and daily life change meaningfully between cantons. Start with yours below. If you are still deciding, send your situation.
What you get: a clear order of priorities and the right canton-specific path — no more guessing where to begin.
Still comparing cantons? See Choose Your Swiss Canton — the comparison framework.
Step 1: Pick your canton on the map. Step 2: Open the local guide. No canton page yet? Send a request and get directed personally.
Why canton is your first decision
Tax bills, housing pressure, registration timelines, school options, and daily life all change with the canton. Reading general relocation content before deciding where you live wastes time on details that may not apply to you.
Pick the canton first. Then read the local guide. Then act. That is the right order.
Choose your canton
Hover over the map to explore cantons, then click any canton to read its dedicated guide. All 26 cantons are covered.
Explore key cantons
Compare how the main cantons differ before deciding where to live.
Moving to Geneva
International hub for diplomacy and finance. Tight housing, high costs, fast-paced setup.
Read Geneva guideMoving to Zurich
Switzerland's largest city. Finance, tech, competitive housing, and a structured pace.
Read Zurich guideMoving to Vaud
Lausanne, Nyon, and the lake. Career-lifestyle balance with strong French-speaking options.
Read Vaud guideMoving to Basel
Pharma capital at the French-German border. Cross-border logistics define the move.
Read Basel guideMoving to Bern
Federal capital with a local feel. Rewards language investment and long-term integration.
Read Bern guideMoving to Valais
Alpine lifestyle canton. Sun, mountains, and a slower pace — not a career-driven move.
Read Valais guideMoving in the next few months?
At this point, most people are not short on information — they are short on a clear order of priorities. Share your timeline and canton, and you will be pointed to the right action or specialist.
Frequently asked questions
Should I start with a general Switzerland guide or with my canton?
Start with your canton if you already know where you are moving. The practical side of the move changes a lot depending on location.
Do all cantons work exactly the same way?
No. The broad structure is similar, but local process, timing, housing pressure, and administrative details can still vary depending on canton and commune.
What if my canton does not have a dedicated guide yet?
Every canton has a dedicated guide. Use the interactive map or the canton list above to open the one that matches your move.
Which pages are live right now?
All 26 Swiss cantons have a dedicated expat guide. The interactive map and the canton list both link to every one of them.