My plan

The choice that changes everything

Live in Switzerland or stay in France? Resident or cross-border commuter, straight talk.

Taxes, health insurance, housing, pillar 3a, naturalisation: what each status really changes, and which permit you get.

In Geneva Resident (B then C permit) Cross-border commuter (G permit)
Where you liveIn Switzerland, near workIn France, returning home at least once a week
TaxesAt source in Switzerland; ordinary taxation above CHF 120,000At source in Geneva, income also declared in France (tax credit)
Health insuranceLAMal mandatoryYour choice: LAMal or French social security, within 3 months
HousingGeneva rents among the highest in the countryMore space for the same budget, but a commute every day
Pillar 3a deductibleYesOnly if quasi-resident (90% of household income in Switzerland)
Remote workNo tax limitTax: up to 40% of working time without changing where you are taxed (France–Switzerland agreement). Social security: up to 49.9% while staying insured in Switzerland (European framework agreement, on the employer's request). Two different rules.
Becoming SwissPossible after 10 years of residenceYears as a cross-border commuter don't count

Resident

You live where you work

Pros

  • No more queues at the border
  • Pillar 3a deductible: up to ~CHF 2,800 less tax a year
  • A path to the C permit, then citizenship
  • Social life on the spot, easier to integrate

Cons

  • Very high rents and a tight market
  • Swiss cost of living every day
  • Expensive LAMal: ~CHF 610 a month on average in 2027

Cross-border commuter

Swiss salary, French life

Pros

  • Swiss purchasing power spent in euros
  • Bigger home for the same price
  • Choice of the most advantageous health insurance
  • You keep your bearings in France

Cons

  • Commute and border crossing morning and evening
  • Tax formalities in two countries, Switzerland and France
  • No naturalisation possible
  • Exposed to the franc-euro exchange rate

The permits

Which permit for you?

L

Short stay

Contract of less than a year. Valid for the length of the contract.

B

Residence

Contract of one year or more. Valid 5 years, renewable. The permit most newcomers get.

C

Settlement

For French nationals, after 5 years of residence. Almost the same rights as a Swiss citizen.

G

Cross-border commuter

You live in France and work in Geneva. Return home at least once a week.

Ci

International spouse

For family members of international organisation staff, with the right to work.

Naturalisation

Becoming Swiss: the path in 4 steps

For a French national living in Geneva, with a B permit on arrival.

  1. 1

    Year 0

    B permit

    You register with the OCPM within 14 days of arriving.

  2. 2

    After 5 years

    C permit

    French nationals can get it after 5 years of residence in Switzerland.

  3. 3

    After 10 years

    Filing the application

    10 years in Switzerland including 3 of the last 5, 2 years in Geneva, C permit in hand.

  4. 4

    The finish line

    Swiss passport

    French at B1 spoken and A2 written, integration, then the oath.

The authorities

The right counters, directly

Geneva

OCPM

Register your arrival, apply for or renew your permit.

Open the site →

Geneva

Becoming Swiss

Naturalisation conditions and procedures in Geneva.

Open the site →

Geneva

Withholding tax

Scales, subsequent ordinary assessment, quasi-residence.

Open the site →

Confederation

SEM

State Secretariat for Migration: all permits.

Open the site →

Confederation

ch.ch

The official portal for formalities in Switzerland.

Open the site →

France

impots.gouv.fr

Declare your departure and your cross-border income.

Open the site →

France

ameli.fr

French health insurance for cross-border commuters.

Open the site →

Association

GTE cross-border commuters

The Groupement transfrontalier européen advises cross-border commuters.

Open the site →

Made your choice? Get your plan.

Choose your needs, enter your arrival date: all your formalities and deadlines on one timeline.

Create my settling-in plan

Sources: ge.ch, conditions for ordinary naturalisation · ge.ch, registering your arrival · State Secretariat for Migration. Indicative information, always check your situation with the authorities.