Change of canton within Switzerland
For students who live already in Switzerland and wish to move for their studies to another canton ("Kantonswechsel").
Students who are only pursuing their studies at ETH Zurich during the week but keep maintaining their principal residence in another Canton, may register as a weekly resident within 14 days. Therefore, no change of canton is required.
Please be aware of the health insurance information for students who change to another canton.
Residence permits for non-EU/EFTA citizens are only valid for the canton that issued them.
In order to apply for the change of canton, more or less the same documents as students with visa obligation (including financial evidence) have to be submitted to the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich via their external pageonline contact form (only available in German).
- Short cover letter (subject: “Gesuch um Kantonswechsel”) to explain why you have to move to Zurich
- Passport
- Foreigner's identity card
- Copy/scan of your residence permit of the current canton of residence
- Rental contract
- DownloadExtended confirmation of matriculation (PDF, 161 KB)
- A financial evidence from CHF 21’000 on your bank account
- Additional case-specific documents/information may be required after the application.
As soon as you received the approval from the Migration Office of the new canton, make sure to deregister with your previous municipality of residence.
After arrival you need to register within 14 days at the Residents' Registration Office or the city hall of your new place of residence. external pageInformation for the city of Zurich - only available in German.
Their residence permit is valid for the whole of Switzerland. No application for approval of a change of canton is necessary. EU/EFTA citizens can directly register at the Residents' Registration Office or the city hall of their new place of residence within 14 days. Information for the city of Zurich - only available in German.
Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact
the respective authorities.