Lucerne relocation checklist

First 90 days in Lucerne

1. 1

   Build a dossier — Lucerne landlords expect Betreibungsauszug, three payslips, references and a copy of your permit

   Deadline

   Before arrival

   Responsible office

   You / previous commune (Betreibungsregisterauszug)

   Typical fee

   Betreibungsregisterauszug ~CHF 17

2. 2

   Register at the Einwohnerkontrolle of your Lucerne commune within 14 days (Stadt Luzern, Kriens, Horw, Emmen, Meggen etc. each have their own counter)

   Deadline

   Within 14 days of arrival

   Responsible office

   Einwohnerdienste (Stadt Luzern)

   Typical fee

   ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune

3. 3

   Apply for your permit at the Amt für Migration Kanton Luzern

   Deadline

   At/around registration

   Responsible office

   Amt für Migration Kanton Luzern

   Typical fee

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

4. 4

   Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — Lucerne is in the lower half of national 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 — Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) 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 Passepartout abo (Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden) or a GA if you commute outside 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 — Lucerne uses easytax

   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 — the canton uses the Lehrplan 21 like other German-speaking cantons

   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 Lucerne

Taxes, housing and insurance in Lucerne

Budget-wise, Lucerne sits at roughly 20.5% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 320/month. The full breakdown — commune-level tax spread, rents, insurance and where to live — is in the Moving to Lucerne guide.