Switzerland (CH)
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic of 26 cantons at the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Leaving Switzerland
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
3–6 months before: give notice to landlord (3-month official term), inform employer of departure date if early, begin pension withdrawal paperwork (can take 4–10 weeks). 1–2 months before: book movers, notify utilities (30–60-day notices), set up mail forwarding at post.ch (CHF 30–60), inform bank. 2 weeks before: deregister at Einwohnerkontrolle, cancel KVG/LAMal from departure date, collect tax clearance from commune, confirm pension withdrawals. Final week: apartment handover with protocol + final utility readings, return keys, surrender non-EU permit card to Migrationsamt. After departure: Swiss banks will continue to send year-end tax statements — keep an address accessible.
Deregistration
You must deregister (Abmeldung / annonce de départ / notifica di partenza) at your commune's Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants / Controllo abitanti within 14 days before your departure (no earlier than a few weeks). You receive a certificate of departure (Abmeldebescheinigung / attestation de départ) which is required by your health insurer, bank, pension fund, and cantonal tax office. Pay any outstanding communal taxes BEFORE leaving — the commune will withhold departure confirmation otherwise. Non-EU residents: surrender your permit card (B, C, L) at the Migrationsamt — failure to do so can affect future re-entry applications.
Tax clearance
A tax exit return (Steuererklärung bei Wegzug / déclaration fiscale de départ) is required for the year of departure, covering the period from January 1 to departure date. Source-tax (Quellensteuer) residents: your employer's final deduction typically settles your obligation unless you exceeded CHF 120,000 annual salary threshold. Wealth tax applies pro rata. If you own Swiss property: Grundstückgewinnsteuer (real estate capital gains tax) applies if you sell — rate depends on canton and holding period (Zurich: 40% on gain if sold within 4 years, sliding down to 20% after 20 years). Obtain a tax clearance (Steuerquittung) from the cantonal tax office before you leave if possible.
Pension portability
Your AHV/AVS (1st Pillar state pension) stays in Switzerland and will be paid to you at retirement (from age 65) regardless of where you live, provided Switzerland has a social security agreement with your country (all EU/EFTA countries, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, Korea, India, and 50+ others). Your 2nd Pillar (BVG/LPP occupational pension): if leaving the EU/EFTA, you can withdraw the entire accumulated capital tax-free minus cantonal withdrawal tax (5–15% depending on canton and amount). If leaving WITHIN EU/EFTA: only the "extra-mandatory" portion is withdrawable; the "mandatory" portion must be transferred to a vested benefits (Freizügigkeitskonto) account in Switzerland. Your 3a private pension (Säule 3a): fully withdrawable on permanent emigration, taxed at cantonal withdrawal rate (typically Schwyz or Freiburg for lowest rates — set up your account there BEFORE emigration).
Health insurance
Cancel your KVG/LAMal health insurance by submitting the Abmeldebescheinigung (departure certificate) to your insurer — they terminate cover from the day after departure. Without deregistration proof, they will continue billing you. EU/EEA: rejoin your home country social health system immediately (Germany: GKV; France: Sécurité sociale; etc.). UK: rejoin NHS once resident. US/Canada/Australia: arrange private insurance for the coverage gap. Ensure prescription medicines you take regularly are obtained for the transition period.
Bank account
Most Swiss banks allow non-resident accounts but charge high non-resident maintenance fees (CHF 25–60/month) and may close accounts for US persons. PostFinance and major banks (UBS, Raiffeisen, ZKB, PostFinance) typically let you keep your account running after departure but switch to non-resident terms. Notify your bank of the departure and provide forwarding address. Close unused accounts to avoid ongoing fees and dormant-account rules (accounts unused for 10 years pass to the Swiss Bankers' Association retentissement). Neon, Yuh, Revolut, Wise typically allow continued use if you simply change address — but verify each.
Utilities
Contact your electricity provider, heating supplier (often a separate contract from rent), and internet/mobile/Serafe to terminate or transfer contracts. Most Swiss contracts have 1–3 month notice periods — plan ahead. Serafe (mandatory radio/TV fee CHF 335/year): cancel with proof of departure. Final electricity reading is the day of handover to new tenant or landlord — photograph the meter. Mobile phone contracts: pay-monthly plans have 60-day notice typically; call your operator or cancel via written letter.
Rental contract
Swiss tenancy law requires 3 months' written notice at end of the next official termination date (often only 2 dates per year in your contract — e.g., 31 March and 30 September). Sending notice by registered letter (Einschreiben / recommandé) is essential. To leave earlier you must present 3 solvent successor tenants (Nachmieter) that the landlord must accept unless they have objectively good reason to refuse. The Swiss Tenant Association (Mieterverband / Asloca) has template letters and advice. Schedule the handover (Übergabe) with a detailed protocol — missing items on the protocol become costly disputes over your 3-month deposit.
Leaving the Country
Unlock the complete Leaving the Country guide for Switzerland — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere