Neuchâtel relocation checklist

First 90 days in Neuchâtel

1. 1

   Build a rental dossier — Neuchâtel is one of the easier markets in Romandie but landlords still expect extrait des poursuites, three fiches de salaire, employer reference and copy of permit

   Deadline

   Before arrival

   Responsible office

   You / previous commune (Extrait du registre des poursuites)

   Typical fee

   Extrait du registre des poursuites ~CHF 17

2. 2

   Register at the Contrôle des habitants of your commune within 14 days (Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Boudry etc.)

   Deadline

   Within 14 days of arrival

   Responsible office

   Contrôle des habitants

   Typical fee

   ~CHF 20–60, varies by commune

3. 3

   Apply for your permit at the Service des migrations (SMIG) in Neuchâtel

   Deadline

   At/around registration

   Responsible office

   Service des migrations (SMIG) in Neuchâtel

   Typical fee

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

4. 4

   Pick a LAMal insurer within 3 months — Neuchâtel premiums are above the national average; subsidies are available via the cantonal social-insurance office for lower- and middle-income households

   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 — Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise (BCN) is the local default; PostFinance, UBS and Raiffeisen all have presence

   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 onde verte regional abo (canton-wide network) or a GA if you commute to Bern or Lausanne

   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 Neuchâtel tax return — the canton runs its own e-filing in French

   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 school system follows the Plan d'études romand (PER); the canton has a strong public-school tradition and few international school options inside its borders

   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 Neuchâtel

Budget-wise, Neuchâtel sits at roughly 26.0% combined income tax on CHF 100,000 gross, with adult health insurance averaging about CHF 350/month. Run your own numbers with the HowToSwiss calculators.