My plan

The address book

All the trusted providers for settling in Switzerland

Bank, health insurer, pillar 3a, phone, internet, housing, insurance, transport: useful addresses, sorted in the order you'll need them.

I'm looking for:

Bank and Swiss account

Your salary must be paid into a Swiss account. A traditional bank for loans and mortgages, a mobile bank for lower fees: many newcomers have both.

PostFinanceClassic The Post Office's bank, present all over Switzerland. Simple for a first account. Visit the site → UBSMajor bank The country's biggest bank, handy if you plan a loan or a mortgage. Visit the site → BCGECantonal bank Geneva's cantonal bank, well established locally. Visit the site → RaiffeisenRegional bank A cooperative network of branches in every region. Visit the site → NeonMobile A 100% smartphone Swiss account, with a debit card. Visit the site → YuhMobile The PostFinance and Swissquote app: account, payments and investing. Visit the site →

Changing euros into francs

To send or bring money back between France and Switzerland, currency specialists usually cost much less than a standard bank transfer.

Resident or cross-border →
WiseCurrency exchange Transfers at the market rate with fees shown upfront. Visit the site → RevolutCurrency exchange Multi-currency account and card, handy for both countries. Visit the site → ibaniCurrency exchange Geneva-based intermediary specialising in CHF and EUR transfers for cross-border commuters. Visit the site →

Health insurer (LAMal)

Mandatory within three months of arriving. Basic benefits are the same everywhere: compare the premium first, then the service.

LAMal guide →
PriminfoOfficial The Confederation's comparison tool: every premium from every insurer. Visit the site → AssuraInsurer Often among the lowest premiums, simpler service. Visit the site → Groupe MutuelInsurer Major French-speaking insurer, many branches. Visit the site → HelsanaInsurer One of the country's biggest health insurers. Visit the site → CSSInsurer Major insurer with a full-featured app. Visit the site → SWICAInsurer Known for its customer service. Visit the site →

Pillar 3a: savings and tax relief

Up to CHF 7,258 a year deductible from your taxable income. Online offers invested in shares have far lower fees than life insurance.

Pillar 3a simulator →
VIACOnline 3a Pioneer of share-based 3a, managed from an app. Visit the site → finpensionOnline 3a Share-based 3a with some of the lowest fees. Visit the site → franklyOnline 3a The 3a offer of the Zurich Cantonal Bank. Visit the site → YuhOnline 3a Pillar 3a built into the Yuh app. Visit the site → SwissquoteBrokerage Online broker to invest beyond pillar 3a. Visit the site →

Mobile phone

A Swiss number is asked for everywhere: bank, letting agency, employer. Low-cost brands use the same networks as the big operators.

Internet and mobile guide →
SaltOperator Mobile plans and fibre, offers for Europe. Visit the site → SunriseOperator Mobile, internet and TV bundles. Visit the site → SwisscomOperator The widest coverage in the country. Visit the site → WingoLow price Budget brand on the Swisscom network. Visit the site → YalloLow price Cheap plans and prepaid on the Sunrise network. Visit the site → Digital RepublicNo commitment Flexible mobile plans, cancellable every month. Visit the site →

Home internet

Order your broadband as soon as you sign the lease: installation can take two to three weeks.

SIG, Serafe, internet →
SwisscomFibre and TV Internet, TV and landline. Visit the site → SunriseFibre and TV Internet, mobile and TV bundles. Visit the site → Salt HomeFibre Very high-speed fibre and TV. Visit the site → Init7Fibre Independent provider known for its symmetrical fibre. Visit the site → Comparis TelecomComparison site Compare all internet, mobile and TV subscriptions. Visit the site →

Finding a home

Listings go fast: prepare your application (debt enforcement extract, employment contract, payslips) before viewing.

Rent deposit and household insurance →
homegateListings One of the biggest Swiss property portals. Visit the site → ImmoScout24Listings Rentals and sales all over Switzerland. Visit the site → FlatfoxListings Listings and applications directly online. Visit the site → Comparis PropertyAggregator Pulls together listings from many portals. Visit the site →

Rent deposit, household and liability

The rent deposit can be replaced by an insurance guarantee, and the letting agency often asks for personal liability insurance.

Household and liability guide →
SwissCautionRent deposit Rent guarantee without blocking three months' rent. Visit the site → FirstcautionRent deposit Rent deposit through an insurer. Visit the site → La MobilièreInsurer Household, personal liability and car. Visit the site → SmileOnline Online household and car insurance. Visit the site → AXAInsurer Major insurer for household, liability and car. Visit the site → bonus.chComparison site Compare household and car insurance. Visit the site →

Getting around

Trains and public transport are the norm. Get the Half Fare travelcard as soon as you arrive.

French car in Switzerland →
SBB CFFTrain Tickets, Half Fare travelcard and GA travelcard. Visit the site → TPGGeneva Geneva buses and trams, Unireso passes. Visit the site → MobilityCar sharing Self-service cars all over Switzerland. Visit the site → MOVURemovals Removal quotes and end-of-tenancy cleaning. Visit the site →

Suisse Infos is independent. Some links may be partner links: if you open an account or sign up for a service, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Terms and prices change often: always check on the provider's website.