| Pending your return to Switzerland there are certain
administrative tasks to see to such as notifying the foreign
authorities and the Swiss diplomatic representation of your departure,
going through customs formalities in the host country and Switzerland
as well as registration in Switzerland.
1. Notification of departure from host country
Find out which local authorities you must notify. Remember
also to notify the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation
(embassy, consulate). It is best to do this in writing.
2. Foreign spouse
Non-Swiss spouses, depending on their nationality, require
a visa to get into Switzerland which they must apply for at
a Swiss diplomatic representation before their departure. The
residence permit for the foreign spouse must be applied for
within eight days after arrival in Switzerland at the local
foreigners’ control office. You can find more details
about entry formalities at www.bfm.admin.ch.
3. Customs formalities
Household effects you are bringing to Switzerland from abroad,
as a rule are considered so called removal goods and are therefore
not subject to customs duties. Representatives of the Federal
Customs Administration can tell you exactly what the regulations
and correct procedure are (Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003 Bern, tel.:
+41 31 322 65 11, homepage: www.zoll.admin.ch). Should you
want to bring back a household pet, you should contact the
Swiss Federal Office for Veterinary Affairs (Schwarzenburgstrasse
155, 3003 Bern, tel.: +41 31 323 85 24, homepage: www.bvet.ch).
4. Registration in Switzerland
Swiss citizens may at any time return to Switzerland, freely
choose where they wish to live and start to work. Upon their
arrival they must go to the residents registration office in
their locality within the prescribed period (regulated by canton).
You will need your certificate of origin for registration.
This document is either in your possession or in the files
of your home municipality.
5. Insurance
Health insurance
Every person returning to Switzerland must take out mandatory
health insurance coverage within three months after arrival
at an insurance company of their choice. Basic insurance
coverage may be taken out at any time without disadvantage.
More information is available at any Swiss health insurance
company or at the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (Schwarzenburgstrasse
165, 3097 Liebefeld, tel.: +41 31 324 92 31, homepage: www.bag.admin.ch).
Old age and survivor’s insurance/invalidity insurance
(AHV/IV)
Upon returning to Switzerland you are generally obliged
to contribute to the AHV/IV. The offices of the AHV compensation
funds and IV offices can answer any questions (homepage:
www.ahv.admin.ch).
Unemployment insurance
If you are unemployed upon returning to Switzerland,
you might be eligible for Swiss unemployment benefits. Register
immediately at the labour office of your area of residence,
because all payment claims become void after one year (homepage:
www.seco.admin.ch).
6. Military service
Swiss abroad who take up residence in Switzerland before their
25th birthday and have not done military service abroad are
liable for military conscription in Switzerland. Swiss abroad
who meet the requirements for mandatory military or civil service
must register with the responsible head of section within 14
days of their return. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil
Protection and Sports (Army Joint Staff, Army personnel (J1),
conscription/mutations, Rodtmattstrasse 110, 3003 Bern, tel.:
+41 31 324 80 60, homepage: www.vbs.admin.ch) can provide more
information.
7. Finding work
Various job placement markets are available on the Internet.
These are run by temporary or full-time job placement agencies.
Vacancies are frequently advertised on the home pages of companies.
You may also consult the ad sections in specialised publications
or in daily and weekly newspapers. Swiss citizens looking for
jobs in Switzerland from abroad can also refer to the section "Emigration
and Trainees" at the Federal Office for Migration (Quellenweg
6, 3003 Bern-Wabern, tel.: +41 31 322 42 02, homepage: www.swissemigration.ch).
8. Taxes
In principle you are taxable at the municipal, cantonal and
federal levels. Find out about the regulations at your municipal
office and cantonal tax authorities (homepage: www.estv.admin.ch).
9. Looking for accommodation
The Internet contains information about various private real
estate companies and search systems (e.g. www.immobern.ch,
www.immoscout.ch, www.immoclick.ch, etc.). You can also refer
to cantonal real estate agencies.
10. Financial problems
Returning Swiss abroad who are in financial difficulties are
basically within the responsibility of the cantonal or municipal
social services.
11. Education in Switzerland
Education in Switzerland is essentially under cantonal jurisdiction.
The school authorities in your future municipality of residence
can help you with information. Questions concerning schooling
after compulsory education may be addressed to the Association
for the Promotion of Education of Young Swiss Abroad (Alpenstrasse
26, 3000 Bern 6, tel.: +41 31 356 61 04, homepage: www.ajas.ch).
12. Driver’s licence
Register at the road traffic licencing office of your future
canton of residence within 14 days to find out how to transfer
your foreign licence. You will find the addresses and phone
numbers of cantonal road traffic licencing offices at www.asa.ch.
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