How to Swiss

Bern relocation checklist

Bern • German / French • Updated August 2026

The clock starts the day you move into your Bern address: you have 14 days to register at the Einwohnerdienste / Contrôle des habitants, and your permit file only moves once that registration exists. This page is the working order of operations — 8 steps, each with the deadline that applies in Bern, the office that actually handles it, and what it usually costs. Capital: Bern. Permits are issued by the Migrationsdienst (Amt für Bevölkerungsdienste) des Kantons Bern.

Health insurance
CHF 340/mo
Income tax (~CHF 100k)
24.5%

Bern · free tool

See what you'd actually pay in tax in Bern

Tax calculator — pre-filled for Bern. No signup.

First 90 days in Bern

  1. 1

    Build a dossier — Bern is gentler than Zurich but landlords still want Betreibungsauszug, three payslips and references

    Deadline
    Before arrival
    Responsible office
    You / previous commune (Betreibungsregisterauszug)
    Typical fee
    Betreibungsregisterauszug ~CHF 17
  2. 2

    Register at the Einwohnerdienste of your commune within 14 days (Bern itself uses bern.ch online appointments)

    Deadline
    Within 14 days of arrival
    Responsible office
    Einwohnerdienste / Contrôle des habitants
    Typical fee
    ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune
  3. 3

    Apply for your permit at the Migrationsdienst (Amt für Bevölkerungsdienste) des Kantons Bern

    Deadline
    At/around registration
    Responsible office
    Migrationsdienst (Amt für Bevölkerungsdienste) des Kantons Bern
    Typical fee
    Set by the cantonal migration office — check its website for the current amount
  4. 4

    Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — Bern premiums are below 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 — Bern Cantonal Bank (BEKB / BCBE — bilingual) is the local default

    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 a Libero Abo (Bern agglomeration) or a GA if you commute beyond it

    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 tax return using TaxMe-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 took a federal job, Personalamt of your office handles BVG (Publica) enrollment — no separate action needed

    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 Bern

Bern — Just arrived

Deadlines that start counting the day you land.

Bern — Moving soon

The weeks before your move — paperwork and housing.

Bern — Still planning

Permits, budget and canton choice before you commit.

Bern — With family

Schools, family reunification and partner work rights.

Bern — Self-employed

Company setup, AHV registration and VAT thresholds.

Bern — Student

Student permit, insurance exemptions and part-time work.

Taxes, housing and insurance in Bern

Budget-wise, Bern sits at roughly 24.5% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 340/month. The full breakdown — commune-level tax spread, rents, insurance and where to live — is in the Moving to Bern guide.

Bern · free tool

Calculate your net salary after Bern cantonal tax

Salary calculator — pre-filled for Bern. No signup.

Keep reading

All 26 canton checklists

Bern is set as your canton, so checklists and tools across HowToSwiss now use its rates.