Please have a look at the checklist for newcomers, it will give you information regarding administrative arrangements before, upon and after your arrival.
You will also find complementary administrative information on this page.
| Declaring your arrival
| Insurance
| Finance
Please have a look at the checklist for newcomers, it will give you information regarding administrative arrangements before, upon and after your arrival.
You will also find complementary administrative information on this page.
If you will stay in Switzerland for more than 3 months, you should report your arrival within 8 days to the residents' registration office of your municipality. It is recommended to go there quickly as this is a prerequisite for other procedures such as opening a bank account. The application for a residence permit is made automatically during this procedure.
A fee is charged for the declaration and the establishment of the residence permit.
Check the necessary documents in the tabs opposite, depending on your nationality.
Nationals of countries which are members of the EU/EFTA must have the following documents:
If you are married, your marriage certificate must be in French, German, Italian or English, or accompanied by a translation into one of those languages.
Contact your commune’s register office for precise information on the documents needed for the declaration.
Nationals of countries which are not members of the EU/EFTA must have the following documents:
If you are married, your marriage certificate must be in French, German, Italian or English, or accompanied by a translation into one of those languages.
Contact your commune’s register office for precise information on the documents needed for the declaration.
Health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland.
Contributions will not be deducted from your salary: you are responsible for paying them.
Insurance companies are required to provide cover for anyone who is required to take out insurance, whatever their age or state of health, without conditions or a time limit.
Everyone employed by UNIL is insured against accidents (professional and other, at the workplace and elsewhere). You should take out health insurance without accident insurance.
However, visiting researchers are covered only against occupational accidents. It is therefore important to include insurance against non-occupational accidents with their health insurance.
Guide to the Swiss health insurance system.
Comparisons can be found on this website priminfo (provided by the Federal Office of Public Health in the Swiss national languages)
Another comparison website comparis (in the Swiss national languages and English)
Public liability insurance is not compulsory but is nevertheless strongly recommended in Switzerland. You may be asked for it when you rent accommodation or by nurseries.
Public liability insurance is compulsory for the purchase of a motor vehicle.
It is sometimes included in household insurance. The price comparison website comparis.ch will help you to estimate costs and find the best prices.
What it covers
Damage to property or personal injury caused to a third party by you or a member of your family.
What it does not cover
Damage or injury caused in road traffic accidents.
Household insurance is not compulsory in Switzerland but is strongly recommended.
It covers property in your accommodation in the event of fire, water damage, breakage of glass or theft.
You can obtain an estimated price and compare different insurance companies on comparis.ch.
Insurance against fire and damage from the elements, from the ECA (Établissement Cantonal d’Assurance) is compulsory in the canton of Vaud.
It covers damage caused by fire and natural catastrophes.
Download the form here or consult the ECA website for further information (in French).
Public liability insurance becomes compulsory when you buy a car or motorcycle.
The insurance covers damage to property and personal injury to third parties caused when you are driving.
It does not cover damage to your own vehicle.
For more information on comprehensive or partial insurance for damage to your vehicle (in Swiss national languages): Touring Club Suisse (TCS).
Overview of the offers available and price comparisons: comparis.ch.
For your employer to be able to pay your salary, you need to open an account with a Swiss bank or the Swiss Post Office. You should then send your account details to the Human Resources Department.
You will need to bring the following documents with you:
There is a branch of the Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV) on campus, in the Internef building.
The following social security contributions are deducted from your salary:
Health insurance is compulsory but you are responsible for arranging it.
*Accident insurance is deducted from your salary if you work for more than eight hours a week. Otherwise, it should be added to your health insurance.
To help you estimate your monthly budget, you can consult this website (available in the Swiss national languages). It provides examples of typical budgets according to your income and family situation.
Quick translation:
Revenus = income
Famille avec un/deux/trois enfants = family with one/two/three children
Personnes seules avec un/deux/trois enfants = single parent with one/two/three children
Personnes seules = single person