Report a move in the city of Zurich: deadlines, forms 2026

Moving to or from Zurich is an exciting step. But before you can fully concentrate on setting up your new home, there is an important administrative task: theTimely notification of your new address. This is not just a formality, but a legal obligation that youwithin 14 dayshave to do.

Your guide to registering a move in Zurich

Moving house is more than just packing boxes and moving furniture. To ensure that your start in Zurich goes smoothly, changing your address correctly and on time with the authorities is essential. Thousands of people move every year, which makes the registration requirement a central process. According to official statistics from the city of Zurich, in 2026 alone there were over45,000 moveswithin the city limits.

According to the German Registration Act, you must submit your change of address within14 daysreport after moving in. You can find more details about the regulations directly fromCity of Zurich on the topic of moving.

The two ways to report the address

Basically, you have two options for registering your new address. Both ways are well established, but intended for different needs.

• Online via eUmzugCH: This is the fastest and most convenient way. You can easily complete the report from home, and30 days before the actual move in.
• In person at the personal registration office: This option is a must if you are moving from abroad. But it is also ideal if you prefer direct contact or need support filling out the forms.

This infographic shows the two main ways to report your move in Zurich at a glance.

You can clearly see that the online process is designed to be quick, while personal visits are essential for specific cases such as immigration from abroad.

Important note:Compliance with the 14-day reporting period is more than just a legal obligation. Late reporting may result in penalty notices and fines and delays delivery of important official documents to your new address.

Don't forget to change your address for other positions

Reporting to the civil registration office is the most important step, but not the only one. Remember to update your new address at other important locations as well. A central point is the power supply. Check out our guide to find outhow to report your move to ewzand ensure that you have electricity in your new apartment from day one.

All the administrative effort can quickly become overwhelming. A professional moving service like TIXPI can not only take care of the transport for you, but also give you the valuable time you need to deal with the authorities and organize your new phase of life.

Changing your address online: The quickest way is with eUmzugCH

Good news for everyone who is moving: the tedious queuing at the office to re-register is largely a thing of the past in Zurich. The most convenient way today is via the online portaleUmzugCH. Instead of sacrificing your lunch break, you can simply complete the bureaucracy from your sofa - often in less than 15 minutes.

This digital service is a real relief, especially for Swiss citizens and EU/EFTA citizens with a residence permit in credit card format. A big advantage: you can move up to30 days in advancereport. This gives you breathing room and you can cross an important pending item off your list early on.

This is how the online re-registration works

The process on the eUmzugCH platform is really self-explanatory. But to make sure things run smoothly, it's worth preparing a few things. Nothing is more annoying than having to stop in the middle because a document is missing.

It's best to have the following handy:

• Your people:Name, date of birth and, most importantly, the AHV number of everyone who is moving with you.
• Your rental agreement:You need a digital copy of it, i.e. a scan or simply an easy-to-read photo.
• Your data:The exact move-in and move-out dates as well as the old and new addresses.
• Your wallet:Have your credit card or the Twint app ready to pay the small fee directly online.

The form you click through looks something like this. Everything kept clear and simple.

You can tell that the focus here was on making the process as uncomplicated as possible.

Small mistakes with a big impact – and how to avoid them

Even if the online route is simple, there are a few classic pitfalls. With a little preparation, you can easily get around them and save yourself annoying questions or delays.

Practical tip: Don’t forget anyone!
If you are moving with the family, you really needevery single personare recorded - including the children. It sounds banal, but it is often forgotten. If someone is missing, this person has to be laboriously registered separately and perhaps even in person. So, have everyone’s AHV numbers ready!

From experience I can say: A common mistake is providing an inaccurate address. It's better to check the apartment or floor number in your rental agreement twice. Precise information is crucial so that the official registration confirmation actually reaches you and does not end up in nirvana.

Once everything is entered and uploaded, you pay the fee. A confirmation will then appear in your email inbox. The city of Zurich's personal registration office receives your data automatically. Done! The most important administrative step of your move is complete.

If you want to know where else you need to change your address, take a look at our big guide toChange of address when moving to Switzerlandover.

Register in person at the civil registration office – when and how?

Sometimes the online route isn't possible or just isn't right for you. For example, if you are moving to Zurich from abroad, going to the office in person is mandatory. There is no way around it.

But even those who don't want to have a digital ID or prefer direct contact with the authorities are best served by registering on site. With the right preparation, the appointment at the district office becomes a quick and uncomplicated item on your moving checklist.

Find the right district office

In Zurich, the civil registration office is organized decentrally and is located in the district offices of the individual districts. Which one is responsible for you depends solely on your new home address. You can always find the exact locations and, very importantly, the current opening times directly on theWebsite of the city of Zurich.

The most important contact points are:

• Registration office, Stadthausquai 17
• The various district offices in the

districts A practical tip that will save you time:Avoid peak times such as Monday mornings or lunchtime. Our experience shows that if you go shortly after opening in the morning or later in the afternoon, you often wait significantly less time.

Have all original documents with you

This is the biggest difference compared to online registration: for the on-site appointment you have toall documents in the originalbring along. This is crucial because if even a single piece of paper is missing, in the worst case scenario you will have to come back.

Also remember to pay the applicable fees directly. You can usually do this conveniently with a card (Maestro, PostFinance Card) or in cash.

And if a document is missing?
No panic. If you notice on site that the residence permit or the rental agreement has remained in the moving box, the employees will explain to you exactly what to do. In most cases, you don't have to book a completely new appointment, but you can simply submit the missing document within a certain period of time - by post or during a quick return visit.

If your head is spinning at the thought of all the bureaucracy in addition to packing boxes, a moving service can work wonders. While professionals likeTIXPIIf you take care of the safe transport of your furniture, you will have your head free for the administrative procedures and the important first steps in your new home. A well-planned move with professional help simply makes the whole process noticeably more relaxed.

All documents and fees for your move at a glance

Moving is exciting enough - you don't want to have to deal with bureaucracy on top of that. However, good preparation is the most important thing, especially when dealing with authorities. To ensure that your registration with the city of Zurich goes smoothly, it is worth its weight in gold to have all the papers ready and to know the fees involved.

The requirements differ depending on where you are moving from and whether you are a Swiss or foreign citizen. If you collect your documents here in advance, you not only save valuable time, but also annoying queries and unnecessary delays.

Checklist: You really need these documents

Regardless of whether you conveniently report the move online via eUmzugCH or go to the district office - nothing works without the right documents. An important tip: For the personal appointment you need the originals, while for the online report clean scans or easily readable photos are sufficient.

For Swiss citizens:

• Valid passport or identity card:To clearly identify everyone who moves with you.
• Rental agreement or housing ID card:Written proof of your new address is mandatory.
• Proof of health insurance:Your health insurance card is sufficient to prove insurance coverage.
• Home certificate:This is only due when moving from outside the canton of Zurich and must be deposited with the new municipality of residence. If you move within the city of Zurich, it is already available.

For foreign nationals (EU/EFTA and third countries):

In addition to the documents mentioned above (passport instead of ID, rental agreement), there are a few more:

• Foreigner's ID card:Your current ID card in credit card format (EU/EFTA) or passport with a valid visa (third countries) must be presented.
• Guarantee of residence permit or employment contract:Especially if you are moving from abroad, you must be able to prove that you are entitled to live and work in Zurich.
• Family reference:Are you moving with your family? Then think about documents such as family ID cards or children's birth certificates.

A transparent look at the fees

The good news first: the costs for re-registration are manageable. Still, it's helpful to know what to expect.

The following table gives you a clear overview of which documents you need for registration and which fees apply depending on the situation. This way you are well prepared and avoid surprises at the counter or when paying online.

Checklist of documents and fees for your move

A detailed overview of the required documents and the associated costs, broken down by group of people.

With this checklist in hand, you can overcome the administrative hurdles of your move quickly and efficiently.

Please note: Changing the address on the driver's license is a separate process and is not included in these fees. In our article you will find out everything you need to know aboutChange of address at the Zurich Road Traffic Office.

Once the bureaucracy is taken care of, you can concentrate fully on setting up your new home - and simply leave the stressful part of the move to professionals like TIXPI.

What needs to be taken into account in special situations

A move rarely follows the textbook, because life itself is anything but standard. Whether you are moving to Zurich with the whole bunch, as a weekly resident or fresh from abroad - the rules of the game when registering can vary greatly. It's good if you know these special features.

Sure, the administrative stuff in addition to all the packing stress is often an additional burden. This is exactly where service providers likeTIXPIbe a huge relief. While we take care of the safe transport of your furniture, you have your head free for the important administrative procedures.

Together into the new nest: moving with the family

Good news for families: If you're all moving together, you can complete the registration process in one go. This saves a lot of time and nerves. The only condition is that everyone actually moves to the same new address.

Regardless of whether you choose the digital route via eUmzugCH or visit the district office in person: you have to record each person individually with their data (name, date of birth, AHV number).

A few additional specific documents are crucial for families:

• Family ID card or family certificate:This is your official proof as a family and is absolutely necessary if you are married and/or have children together.
• Birth certificates:If you don't have a family ID card to hand, you will need the children's birth certificates in order to register them.

A typical misunderstanding: Many people think that it is enough for the parents to contact them. But in Switzerland the reporting requirement applies to every single person, even newborns. So remember all of them to save yourself additional work later.

Commuting to Zurich: registering as a weekly resident

Anyone who works in Zurich during the week but returns to family life in another canton at the weekend is considered aWeekly stay. Special rules apply here, as you essentially have two residences: a main residence, where the center of your life is, and a secondary residence in Zurich.

As a weekly resident in Zurich, you don't have to re-register in the traditional way, just yourRegister secondary residence. You can also do this at the personal registration office. There is a so-calledHome ID card(sometimes also called an interim ID card), which you apply for from your municipality at your main place of residence.

This paper confirms that your taxes and other obligations will continue to be settled at your primary residence.

From abroad to Zurich: Step by step to Zurich life

Moving from abroad is probably the most complex case and requires you to register in person at the responsible registration office. Online reporting is not possible here. The exact requirements depend heavily on your country of origin.

• For EU/EFTA citizens:The process is comparatively straightforward. You must be within14 daysintroduce yourself personally after your arrival. You should have your passport, rental agreement and usually a copy of your employment contract with you.
• For third-country nationals:This is where things get a little more complex. Before you can even register, you need a valid confirmation of your residence permit from the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich. When you register, you will also be askedbiometric data(photo, fingerprints) are recorded, which makes a personal appointment unavoidable.

No matter which corner of the world you come from: plan enough time for this administrative visit and bring all the original documents required with you. This saves you unnecessary walking and delays on the way to your new life in Zurich.

Questions & Answers: What else you need to know

Even with the best checklist, there are often still a few question marks when it comes to changing your registration in Zurich. No problem! We have collected the most frequently asked questions that we come across again and again in practice and will give you clear answers here.

What happens if I miss the 14 day deadline?

Thestatutory reporting period of 14 daysis more than just a formality. If you let it pass, you risk a fee-based reminder or even a fine from the city of Zurich.

But the practical problems are much more annoying: official mail, such as tax documents or voting slips, does not arrive. Our tip from experience: Complete the report as quickly as possible. It saves you unnecessary hassle and hassle.

Does the reporting requirement also apply to me as a subtenant?

Absolutely. Everyone who takes up residence in Zurich must register - without exception. This also expressly applies to subtenants. All you need is a valid sublease agreement or a written confirmation from the main tenant that proves your living arrangement.

My move-in date was postponed at short notice. What now?

Life doesn't always stick to plans, and a moving date can sometimes change. No panic!

If you have already made the report via eUmzugCH, you can cancel the process online up to the originally planned moving date. Then simply restart it with the new date. If you registered in person, all you need to do is call the responsible registration office. The employees there are very helpful and will easily explain the next steps to you.

Who else do I need to inform of my new address?

Registering with the city is the most important official step, but the to-do list doesn't end there. Be sure to also remember these places:

• Your employerfor correct payroll.
• Bank and insurance, especially your health insurance and your household contents insurance.
• Telephone, Internet and electricity providers(e.g. ewz) so that everything continues to run seamlessly.
• TheSerafe(formerly Billag) for radio and television fees.
• And very important: set up aForwarding orderat the post office. This will ensure that no letters are lost during the transition period.

All these administrative procedures and phone calls can quickly become a burden alongside packing boxes. A professional partner likeTIXPIgives you valuable air here. While we take care of the safe transport of your furniture, you can relax and concentrate on the paperwork. Visit us athttps://tixpi.chand discover how uncomplicated your move can really be.