Krakow's Main Market Square at night with the Cloth Hall lit up
Guide Poland → Switzerland · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Poland to Switzerland

A plain checklist: what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Switzerland.

Photo: Pexels
First, the good news

No visa, thanks to the EU agreement

Switzerland is not in the EU, but thanks to the free movement agreement you can live and work here without a visa. Once you register, the canton gives you a residence permit (L or B).

Important: register at your commune within 14 days of arriving. Within 3 months you must take out basic health insurance: it is compulsory.

Before you go

Your checklist in Poland

  1. A valid ID card or passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, work references, driving licence.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (at most 3 months' rent, on a blocked account), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Tell your Polish bank you are moving and keep the app working, so you can pay bills at home.
  5. Set up Polish TV before you go, so it works from day one (how to watch Polish TV in Switzerland).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Switzerland

Polish TV, ready from day one

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Polish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Polish TV in Switzerland →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Switzerland

  1. Registration: at your commune within 14 days; the canton gives you an L or B permit.
  2. Health insurance: compulsory, take it out within 3 months.
  3. Bank account: with your residence permit and address.
  4. TV fee: Serafe, CHF 335 a year per household (CHF 312 from 1 January 2027).
  5. Driving: swap your Polish licence for a Swiss one within 12 months.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to work in Switzerland?

No. Thanks to the free movement agreement you work without a visa; after registering you get an L or B permit.

Do I have to register in Switzerland?

Yes: at your commune within 14 days of arriving.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes. You must take out basic insurance within 3 months of arriving.

Can I watch Polish TV in Switzerland?

Yes. Our Polish TV in Switzerland guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in Switzerland

Guides for you

Polish TV in SwitzerlandEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in SwitzerlandHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to SwitzerlandA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
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