Graubünden relocation checklist

First 90 days in Graubünden

1. 1

   Build a rental dossier — Chur and the Rheintal are easier than the resort communes, where year-round rentals are scarce

   Deadline

   Before arrival

   Responsible office

   You / previous commune (Betreibungsregisterauszug)

   Typical fee

   Betreibungsregisterauszug ~CHF 17

2. 2

   Register at the Einwohnerkontrolle / Controllo abitanti / Controlla dals abitants of your commune within 14 days — the office language follows the commune

   Deadline

   Within 14 days of arrival

   Responsible office

   Einwohnerkontrolle / Ufficio controllo abitanti / Controlla dals abitants

   Typical fee

   ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune

3. 3

   Apply for your permit at the Amt für Migration und Zivilrecht Graubünden in Chur — the office handles all three language regions

   Deadline

   At/around registration

   Responsible office

   Amt für Migration und Zivilrecht Graubünden in Chur

   Typical fee

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

4. 4

   Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — Graubünden is below the national average on premiums

   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 — Graubündner Kantonalbank (GKB) is the local default and operates in all three cantonal languages

   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 Engadin Mobil, libero or Bündner regional abo, or a GA if you cross the canton regularly — the RhB is the backbone of cantonal transport

   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 Graubünden tax return — the canton's e-filing is available in German, Italian and Romansh

   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, schools follow the language of the commune (Lehrplan 21 in German communes, Piano di studio in Italian communes, plan d'instrucziun in Romansh communes); choose housing accordingly

   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 Graubünden

Budget-wise, Graubünden sits at roughly 21.0% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 300/month. Run your own numbers with the HowToSwiss calculators.