Leaving Switzerland

Deregister from your commune before you leave

Deregister if you go abroad for more than three months, give up your accommodation and do not intend to return. Departures abroad cannot be declared online via eMoving; contact your commune.

Authority: Residents’ registration office of your commune (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

Arrange health cover: Swiss basic insurance ends

If you move outside the EU/EFTA, your Swiss basic health insurance is no longer valid (except for posted workers). Inform your insurer of your departure and arrange cover in your destination.

Authority: ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

Check whether you must keep Swiss health insurance

People living abroad are generally no longer required to hold Swiss health insurance, but certain groups must keep it — for example some people who work in Switzerland or receive a Swiss pension. Ask your insurer before you cancel.

Authority: ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

Settle your taxes with the cantonal tax administration

Departure tax procedures differ between cantons. Civena has not verified the procedure for your canton yet: contact your cantonal tax administration before you leave.

Authority: Cantonal tax administration (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

Decide what to do with your pension fund assets

Leaving for good generally allows a cash payout, but if you move to an EU/EFTA country the mandatory portion stays in a blocked account in Switzerland until retirement age.

Authority: ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

You may withdraw your pillar 3a early

Leaving Switzerland for good is one of the cases allowing early withdrawal of pillar 3a assets. Contact your 3a provider.

Authority: ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)

Deposit or return your number plates

If your vehicle leaves the Swiss register and no other vehicle is put on the road within 14 days, return the plates to the road traffic office without delay.

Authority: Cantonal road traffic office (asa.ch, opens in a new tab)

Register with the Swiss representation abroad

Once deregistered in Switzerland, Swiss citizens have 90 days to register with the competent Swiss representation abroad.

Authority: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (eda.admin.ch, opens in a new tab)

FDFA – emigrating (eda.admin.ch, opens in a new tab)

Give Serafe your bank details for a refund

Your commune informs Serafe of your deregistration. To receive any refund of the fee, send Serafe your bank account details.

Authority: Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) (bakom.admin.ch, opens in a new tab)

Pension lump sums paid abroad bear withholding tax

Lump-sum payouts from pillar 2 and 3a to people living abroad are always subject to withholding tax. You can reclaim it if there is a double taxation agreement.

Authority: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (eda.admin.ch, opens in a new tab)

Understand what happens to your AHV/AVS

Swiss and EU/EFTA citizens and nationals of treaty countries keep their pension rights abroad. Otherwise, you may be entitled only to an interest-free refund of contributions.

Authority: ch.ch – Swiss authorities online (ch.ch, opens in a new tab)