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Cantons

Switzerland is federal. Many “how to” steps are the same nationwide, but the exact office, portal and wording can differ by canton - and sometimes by commune.

Start Here How we verify

How to use this directory

If a guide tells you “confirm with your canton/commune”, start here. Open your canton, then look for the section that matches your situation (arrival, registration, civil status, permits, driving, taxes, health). When you find the right official page, keep the link for your records.

Real-life scenario (same topic, different portal)

Two expats both “move to Switzerland”. One lands in Zurich, one in Geneva. The legal obligation is the same, but the online process and office name can differ. Using the correct canton portal saves days of back-and-forth.

Start with the general overview on ch.ch, then open your canton below.

Aargau

Code: AG

Strong e-government portal; commune steps still matter.

Appenzell Innerrhoden

Code: AI

Smaller canton; confirm commune-specific offices.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Code: AR

Start with canton portal, then follow local municipality links.

Bern

Code: BE

Large canton; processes vary by municipality.

Basel-Landschaft

Code: BL

Canton portal is reliable for resident services.

Basel-Stadt

Code: BS

City canton; many steps are centralized.

Fribourg

Code: FR

Bilingual context; confirm the page language you need.

Geneva

Code: GE

Large expat population; canton portal is your primary start point.

Glarus

Code: GL

Use canton portal to find commune contact points.

Graubünden

Code: GR

Large canton; many municipalities; verify local steps.

Jura

Code: JU

Use canton portal to locate resident services.

Lucerne

Code: LU

Canton portal is a good starting point for newcomers.

Neuchâtel

Code: NE

French-language primary; confirm the correct service page.

Nidwalden

Code: NW

Smaller canton; commune processes can be decisive.

Obwalden

Code: OW

Smaller canton; confirm local municipality requirements.

St. Gallen

Code: SG

Canton portal is strong; municipality details still apply.

Schaffhausen

Code: SH

Start with canton portal; follow the resident services section.

Solothurn

Code: SO

Canton portal provides guidance; confirm commune offices.

Schwyz

Code: SZ

Municipality level is important; follow canton links.

Thurgau

Code: TG

Use canton portal for official process pages and contacts.

Ticino

Code: TI

Italian-language primary; check for English guidance where available.

Uri

Code: UR

Smaller canton; commune guidance can be essential.

Vaud

Code: VD

Large canton; start with canton portal then municipality pages.

Valais

Code: VS

Bilingual areas; confirm your municipality/region page.

Zug

Code: ZG

High expat density; canton portal is a good reference base.

Zurich

Code: ZH

Zurich-tested default assumptions for this MVP.

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