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Schengen Visa Preparation
Short visits to Europe, prepared calmly and thoroughly.
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Destination · Precision & quality of life
Switzerland
Introduction
- Not in EU
- Not in EEA
- Schengen
Exceptional quality of life, multilingual regions and a federal system where cantons play a significant role. Switzerland is in Schengen — but not in the EU or the EEA, which makes its rules distinct.
Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area but is not a member of the EU or the EEA. It is an EFTA member with its own agreement on free movement with the EU. Rules for non-EU/EFTA citizens are national and often involve cantonal authorities.
The general journey
Moving to Switzerland, in three stages.
- 01
Short visit
Visitors who need a visa apply for a Schengen short-stay visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- 02
Longer stay
Residence for non-EU/EFTA citizens is generally more restrictive and depends on the purpose of stay, with cantonal migration offices involved alongside federal authorities. The State Secretariat for Migration publishes current rules.
- 03
Arrival and registration
New residents typically register with their commune (municipality) shortly after arrival, and arrange mandatory health insurance.
This is general information, not a statement of current requirements. Always confirm with the official sources below.
Practical considerations
Worth knowing early.
- 01Processes can differ between cantons — the location of your move matters.
- 02Cost of living is high; realistic budgeting is part of good planning.
- 03Mandatory health insurance applies to most residents.
- 04Language varies by region: German, French, Italian or Romansh.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities. Start here:
How we can help
Services for Switzerland.
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European Relocation Planning
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Full Relocation Assistance
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