Residence permit

Foreign nationals who are staying in Switzerland for longer than three months must register with the residents' registration office in their municipality of residence and apply for a residence permit no later than 8-14 days after entering the country.

A fee is charged for the resident's permit. 

 

EU-/EFTA nationals

EU/EFTA employees residing in the city of Bern can register online. 
Those living outside the city must register with their local residents' services office. 

The following documents are usually required:

  • A valid travel document (validity passport, ID)
  • work contract or confirmation of employment
  • Family book or marriage certificate (for married couples or couples in a registered partership) 
  • (not compulsory) a rental agreement or sublease agreement 
    If you only have a sublease contract, you must enclose a copy of the main lease contract or the consent of the property management company.

Tip: We recommend a minimum rental period of approximately one to three months when applying for a residence permit.

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

Non-EU/EFTA nationals living in the city of Bern can register online.
Those living outside the city must register with their local residents' services office. 

The following documents are usually required:

  • Confirmation for visa
  • Valid travel document (passport)
  • Copy of visa
  • Copy of your "family book" / marriage certificate (for married couples or registered couples)
  • Rental agreement 
     A simple sublease agreement alone is not sufficient! The Alien Police in the city of Bern also requests the main contract of your landlord. (So your landlord should provide you with a copy of their contract! Sometimes a consent to sublease from the property owner or the property administration must also be produced.)

Tip: To simplify the application process, we recommend a minimum rental period of 3 months. 

 

Initial Interview with local authorities (for non-EU citizens and their families)

In accordance with the “Integrationsgesetz” (Integration Act) of the Canton of Bern, local authorities meet with foreign nationals who are moving into the Canton of Bern for an initial interview. At this meeting, you will receive information on life in the municipality and on integration offerings. If you do not speak any German, it is possible that you will be asked to learn German (esp. postdocs and employees with families from non-EU/EFTA countries). The local authorities may decide whom they invite for interviews.