Documents & paperwork

Before leaving Spain

• Valid ID and passport — make sure neither expires within the next 12 months.
• Criminal record certificate — request it from the Spanish Ministry of Justice (online with a digital certificate, ready in a few days). Some employers or cantons ask for it.
• Academic degrees and professional certificates — with certified translation into German, French, or Italian depending on your destination canton. Keep the original plus a certified copy.
• Hague Apostille — required for your official Spanish documents (degrees, birth certificate, marriage certificate if relevant) to be valid in Switzerland. Processed through the Audiencias, Notarial Colleges, or the Ministry of Justice.
• Medical and vaccination history — useful for your new GP; ask your health center for a summary.
• Social security work history certificate — in case you need to prove your experience or manage social security matters later.
• S1 / A1 form (if relevant) — for temporary postings or transitional health coverage; check with Spanish Social Security before you leave.

Right after arrival: municipal registration (Anmeldung)

This is the most urgent step, and the one that unlocks everything else (residence permit, health insurance, etc.). You must show up in person at the Contrôle des habitants / Einwohnerkontrolle of your municipality, usually within 14 days of arrival. You'll typically need:

• Valid passport or ID
• Work contract (or proof of means of support if you don't have a job yet)
• Lease agreement or accommodation confirmation
• Passport-style photos (2-3, some municipalities take them on-site)
• Birth certificate (sometimes apostilled and translated)
• A small administrative fee (varies by municipality, typically CHF 20-100)

This same process is what triggers your L or B permit — see the permits guide.

In the following weeks

• Mandatory health insurance — 3-month deadline from your arrival. See the dedicated guide.
• AVS number (Swiss social security) — usually assigned automatically when you register or start work; confirm with your employer.
• Swiss bank account — you'll need it for almost everything else. See the banking guide.