Moving from France to Geneva or Vaud: the full guide

Moving from France to Geneva or the canton of Vaud is an international move: your belongings cross a border, and on top of the transport you have to sort out your residence status, your health insurance and your vehicle. The safest approach is to proceed in order: housing and residence permit first, then cancellations on the French side, then the customs declaration for your belongings, and finally the formalities on arrival.

Do not confuse moving with cross-border commuter status

A cross-border commuter (frontalier) works in Switzerland but continues to live in France. They are not moving: they cross the border every day. If you transfer your home to Geneva or the canton of Vaud, your status changes: you become a Swiss resident, with the obligations that come with it (residence permit, registration with the commune, Swiss health insurance, vehicle registration).

This distinction matters, because the procedures, insurance and taxation are not the same. If you are unsure about your personal situation, contact the relevant cantonal office rather than assuming.

The steps in the right order

Here is a realistic sequence, to be adapted to your situation.

1. Find your home before the moving date. The Geneva housing market is tight: allow time for viewings and applications. In the canton of Vaud, the search also takes planning, especially around Lausanne and the Lake Geneva basin.
2. Obtain your residence permit. EU nationals benefit from the free movement of persons; the permit is issued by the canton. Ask the cantonal population office in Geneva or Vaud which documents you need to provide.
3. Cancel or transfer your French contracts. Tenancy, electricity, internet, subscriptions, insurance: each contract has its own notice conditions.
4. Prepare the customs declaration for your removal goods (see below).
5. Arrange the transport and packing.
6. Register your arrival with the commune, then sort out health insurance and your vehicle.

On the French side: tenancy, contracts and change of address

The notice period for your tenancy depends on the type of lease: check your contract, which takes precedence over the general information you may read online. Note the date of the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and of the return of the keys, then align them with your arrival in Switzerland to avoid paying two rents for longer than necessary.

Then draw up a list of everything that carries your French address:

• energy, water and internet providers;
• insurance, bank and subscriptions;
• employer, social security funds and French authorities;
• mail: remember to arrange mail forwarding for the transition period.

Keep a written record of each cancellation. Some French formalities still have to be completed after you leave, depending on your situation (tax, social protection): check with the authorities concerned.

Customs: bringing your belongings into Switzerland

Removal goods can be declared to Swiss customs using form 18.44. This declaration covers items you have used for at least six months: furniture, clothes, household appliances, books. Recent purchases are treated differently: do not slip them into the load without declaring them.

A few practical pointers:

• draw up a detailed inventory, room by room;
• keep the invoices for valuable items, if you have them;
• the removal lorry crosses the border at a customs office open to goods traffic: not every crossing is, and opening hours vary;
• do not plan on crossing the border with a lorry at a small secondary post.

The full procedure is set out in the guide to customs clearance when moving to Switzerland. A removal company used to international moving knows the customs offices and the documents required; that is one of the main reasons not to improvise.

On arrival: commune, insurance, vehicle

Once you are there, several formalities follow one another.

Registering with the commune. Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants) within the period set by the canton. For an arrival from abroad, the commune will tell you which documents to present. The guide on registering your arrival with the commune explains the procedure.

Health insurance. Swiss basic insurance (LAMal) is compulsory: you must take out cover within three months of arriving. Compare the offers from the insurers before signing, and check your particular situation if you had cover in France.

Vehicle and driving licence. A vehicle registered in France that is moving to Switzerland must receive Swiss registration. A foreign driving licence must be exchanged within twelve months. The formalities are carried out at the cantonal motor vehicle office.

In French-speaking Switzerland: what changes by canton and location

Geneva and Vaud do not apply all the rules in the same way. Registration deadlines, required documents and the organisation of counters vary from one canton to another, and sometimes from one commune to another: always check with your commune or the cantonal office.

The location also changes the logistics:

• In town, as in Geneva, narrow streets, old buildings and limited parking make access difficult for the lorry. A permit to occupy the public highway may be needed: ask the commune or the police a few days, or even a few weeks, in advance.
• On the Vaud coast (La Côte), for example in Nyon, the proximity of the Geneva border makes the journey from France fairly direct, but building access and lifts still need to be checked before the day itself.
• In the mountains or in a border area, the journey is longer, the roads are more exposed to winter conditions, and some border crossings are not open to goods traffic.

In every case, build some margin into your schedule: a gap between handing back the keys in France and moving into the Swiss home is common.

Doing it yourself or getting help

An individual can perfectly well handle the inventory, sorting, boxes and administrative formalities alone. However, getting a lorry through customs, long distances and large volumes all argue for professionals, who know the documents required and which offices are open. Packing and unpacking also takes a great deal of the load off, especially for fragile items. And if moving into your Swiss home does not coincide with your departure from France, storage can bridge the gap.

This site is a neutral matching service: you describe your move, your request is passed on to professional removal companies in the region, who provide a free, no-obligation quote. To compare, you can request a quote, stating your departure address in France, your arrival address and your preferred date.

Frequently asked questions