Basel-Stadt relocation checklist

First 90 days in Basel-Stadt

1. 1

   Build a dossier — Basel is easier than Zurich but landlords still want Betreibungsauszug, three payslips, references and ID

   Deadline

   Before arrival

   Responsible office

   You / previous commune (Betreibungsregisterauszug (Betreibungsamt Basel-Stadt))

   Typical fee

   Betreibungsregisterauszug (Betreibungsamt Basel-Stadt) ~CHF 17

2. 2

   Register at the Einwohnerkontrolle Basel-Stadt within 14 days — bs.ch handles bookings online

   Deadline

   Within 14 days of arrival

   Responsible office

   Einwohneramt Basel-Stadt

   Typical fee

   ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune

3. 3

   Apply for your permit at the Migrationsamt Basel-Stadt (Bevölkerungsdienste und Migration)

   Deadline

   At/around registration

   Responsible office

   Migrationsamt Basel-Stadt (Bevölkerungsdienste und Migration)

   Typical fee

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

4. 4

   Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — Basel premiums are above national average; compare on priminfo.admin.ch

   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 — Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) is the local default; UBS and PostFinance are equally fine

   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

   If you commute to Roche/Novartis from across the border, get a U-Abo (BLT/BVB area) or grenzüberschreitendes ticket

   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 you file a regular tax return — Basel-Stadt uses BalTax (online)

   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 kids, the Volksschulen Basel-Stadt office handles primary placement — the dual primary system (Kindergarten + Primarschule) starts the year your child turns 4

   Deadline

   Once your registration is confirmed

   Responsible office

   Your commune / the relevant cantonal office

   Typical fee

   Varies — usually free to enquire

Pick your stage in Basel-Stadt

Taxes, housing and insurance in Basel-Stadt

Budget-wise, Basel-Stadt sits at roughly 23.5% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 410/month. The full breakdown — commune-level tax spread, rents, insurance and where to live — is in the Moving to Basel-Stadt guide.