Appenzell Ausserrhoden relocation checklist

First 90 days in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

1. 1

   Build a rental dossier — Ausserrhoden is easier than Zurich or St. Gallen but landlords still expect Betreibungsauszug, three payslips and references

   Deadline

   Before arrival

   Responsible office

   You / previous commune (Betreibungsregisterauszug)

   Typical fee

   Betreibungsregisterauszug ~CHF 17

2. 2

   Register at the Einwohnerkontrolle of your Appenzell Ausserrhoden commune within 14 days (Herisau, Teufen, Speicher, Trogen, Heiden etc.)

   Deadline

   Within 14 days of arrival

   Responsible office

   Einwohnerkontrolle

   Typical fee

   ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune

3. 3

   Apply for your permit at the Abteilung Migration (Amt für Inneres) in Trogen

   Deadline

   At/around registration

   Responsible office

   Abteilung Migration (Amt für Inneres) in Trogen

   Typical fee

   Set by the cantonal migration office — check its website for the current amount

4. 4

   Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — Appenzell Ausserrhoden is below the national average

   Deadline

   Within 3 months, backdated to arrival

   Responsible office

   Any KVG/LAMal insurer · priminfo.admin.ch

   Typical fee

   Premium varies by insurer, model and franchise

5. 5

   Open a Swiss bank account — Appenzeller Kantonalbank serves Appenzell Innerrhoden, while Appenzell Ausserrhoden is served by Raiffeisen and other commercial banks (AR no longer has its own cantonal bank since the 1996 collapse)

   Deadline

   First 2 weeks (needed for salary and rent)

   Responsible office

   Any Swiss bank — cantonal bank, PostFinance or a digital bank

   Typical fee

   CHF 0–5/month account fee

6. 6

   Get an Ostwind regional abo (covers Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Thurgau) or a GA if you commute beyond eastern Switzerland

   Deadline

   Before your first commuting month

   Responsible office

   SBB · regional transport network

   Typical fee

   Halbtax CHF 190/year · GA 2nd class from CHF 3,995/year

7. 7

   Above CHF 120k gross, file a regular Appenzell Ausserrhoden tax return — the canton runs its own e-filing

   Deadline

   Filed the spring after the tax year (extensions on request)

   Responsible office

   Cantonal tax administration

   Typical fee

   Free to file

8. 8

   If you have school-age kids, the Volksschule of your commune handles placement under Lehrplan 21

   Deadline

   Once your registration is confirmed

   Responsible office

   Your commune / the relevant cantonal office

   Typical fee

   Varies — usually free to enquire

Taxes, housing and insurance in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Budget-wise, Appenzell Ausserrhoden sits at roughly 20.5% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 290/month. Run your own numbers with the HowToSwiss calculators.