Italians form one of the largest foreign communities in Switzerland, and the move looks simple: you leave on Friday, you start work on Monday. Then the real first month arrives — commune counters, compulsory insurance and completely empty flats. This guide puts the formalities back in the order they actually need doing.
1. The permit: what really applies to an Italian citizen
As EU nationals, Italians benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. No visa is needed: the permit is applied for after arrival, on the basis of the employment contract.
- B permit — open-ended contract or one longer than a year. Valid five years, renewable.
- L permit — contract between three months and a year. Validity tied to the contract.
- G permit (cross-border) — if you keep your residence in Italy and return at least weekly. Be careful: this is an entirely different tax and social-security regime, and the choice between G and B has to be made beforehand, not afterwards.
Rules and deadlines can change: always check with the destination canton and with your employer, who usually knows the local procedure better than anyone.
2. Registering with the commune: the deadline not to miss
On arrival you must register with your commune of residence — not the canton, the commune. The deadline is short, typically fourteen days after arrival, and almost everything else depends on it: the permit, opening a bank account, sometimes signing the lease.
3. Health insurance: three months to arrange it, but don't wait
In Switzerland basic health insurance (LAMal) is compulsory and individual: every family member, children included, has their own policy. It is not deducted from your salary as in Italy — you pay it separately, every month.
You have three months from arrival to take it out, but cover is backdated to the arrival date: waiting saves nothing, it only builds up arrears. Premiums vary widely by canton, age and chosen deductible; compare before signing the first offer that reaches you.
4. Housing: the real obstacle
The Swiss housing market, particularly around Lake Geneva and in Zurich, is tight. Two things consistently surprise arrivals from Italy:
- The application file. Wanting the flat is not enough: you need a debt-enforcement register extract, a copy of your permit, your employment contract and recent payslips. Anyone arriving without a permit starts at a disadvantage against other applicants.
- The rental deposit, equivalent to three months' rent, paid into a blocked account before you get the keys. It stays locked for the whole tenancy — and has to be advanced in exactly the month when you are spending most. We cover it in detail in the rental deposit guide.
5. The empty flat: just how empty it is
This is the most concrete cultural gap. In Switzerland, "unfurnished" means literally empty: no furniture, often no light fittings — just wires hanging from the ceiling — sometimes not even built-in appliances. Coming from an average Italian tenancy, you do not expect it.
There are two practical consequences. First: on the first evening there is no light unless you have bought at least one lamp. Second: new furniture ordered online takes weeks to arrive, and the sofa almost always comes last. Many people spend their first working month sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
| Option | Timing | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping your furniture from Italy | 2–6 weeks in transit | Permanent move, furniture you care about |
| Buying new in Switzerland | 3–10 weeks delivery | Long stay, budget available immediately |
| Renting furniture | A few days | Fixed-term assignment, uncertain duration, arriving before the container |
Our rent-or-buy calculator compares the two against your expected length of stay.
6. Bank account, phone, taxes: the last steps
- A Swiss bank account — almost always required by the employer to pay your salary, and by the landlord for the rent. You will need the permit, or at least the registration confirmation.
- Tax at source. On a B or L permit, tax is deducted directly from your salary. Simple at first, but it does not remove filing obligations above certain income thresholds or if you hold assets in Italy.
- Double taxation. There is a treaty between Italy and Switzerland, and cross-border workers have their own rules. Don't improvise: tax advice at the outset costs less than putting things right later.
FAQ
Can I look for work in Switzerland before holding a permit?
Yes. As EU nationals, Italians may enter and stay to look for work; the permit is applied for on the basis of the contract obtained. Do check current conditions and deadlines with the cantonal authorities.
What does furnishing a flat in Switzerland actually cost?
For a three-room flat, buying new at mid-range quality commonly runs CHF 12,000 to 18,000, before lamps, crockery and linen. We devoted an article to the real cost of furnishing.
Is it better to keep residence in Italy and commute across the border?
It depends on distance, canton and your family and tax situation. It is a choice to make before arriving, because changing it later is complicated: talk to a tax adviser who knows both systems.
Can rented furniture be bought afterwards?
At Swaap, yes: 50% of rent already paid is deducted from the purchase price, so the trial period is not money lost if you decide to stay.
We deliver and assemble premium furniture across Switzerland, with rental from 1 month. Your flat is liveable before the container even arrives.
See the expat packsFurnish my home →