Eleven phases, in the order you'll actually encounter them. Click into each for the in-depth version.
As a Spanish citizen you're an EU citizen, so you move to Switzerland under the EU-Switzerland Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. That simplifies things a lot compared to immigration from outside the EU — there are no quotas and no employer "sponsorship" needed — but there is paperwork to complete, and order matters.
Are you going with a signed contract, to job-hunt in person, or as self-employed? Each path has a different permit. Start with the quiz to find out which applies to you.
Criminal record certificate, certified translations of your degrees, apostille — some of these take weeks in Spain. See the documents checklist →
Permit L, B or C: what each one means and when to apply. See the permits guide →
Portals, the Swiss CV format, and how the hiring process really works. See the job & CV guide →
The Swiss rental market is competitive and has its own unwritten rules. See the housing guide →
You have a short window (usually 14 days) from your arrival. Covered in detail in the documents guide. See section →
You have 3 months from your arrival — and it's a legal requirement, not optional. See the health insurance guide →
You'll need it to get paid and to set up rent and insurance payments. See the banking guide →
Most newcomers pay "tax at source," withheld directly from their paycheck. See the taxes guide →
Bring it from Spain, register it in Switzerland, or buy a new one there. See the car & plates guide →
German, French or Italian depending on the canton — it's what most speeds up (or slows down) your integration and career. See the language guide →
The personalized quiz gives you a summarized, tailored version of this in 2 minutes. And if you'd rather we walk it with you, we offer personalized consulting.