Moving to Gstaad: Practical Checklist for New Property Owners

You have bought the property. Now you need to actually move in. Switzerland has a well-ordered system for everything, which means the bureaucracy is efficient but there is a lot of it. This checklist covers what you need to do, in roughly the right order, to establish yourself in the Saanenland.

Before You Arrive

1. Residence Permit

If you are not Swiss, your residence status must be settled before you move:

• EU/EFTA nationals: Apply for a B permit (temporary residence) through the cantonal migration office. If employed in Switzerland or financially independent, this is typically straightforward.
• Non-EU/EFTA nationals: More complex. You may need a C permit or specific authorisation. See the permits guide.
• Lump-sum taxpayers: Your tax arrangement is negotiated with the cantonal tax authority before arrival.

Timeline: Start the permit process well before your move date. Allow 2-6 months depending on your nationality and situation.

2. Health Insurance

Swiss health insurance (Grundversicherung) is mandatory for all residents. You must arrange cover within three months of taking up residence.

• Compare providers: Comparis.ch or Priminfo.admin.ch let you compare premiums
• Choose your deductible: CHF 300 (highest premium) to CHF 2,500 (lowest premium)
• Choose your model: Standard, HMO, Telmed, or family doctor model
• Budget: CHF 350-550/month per adult in Canton Bern

Supplementary insurance (for private hospital rooms, broader specialist choice, dental) is optional but common among Gstaad residents. Apply before arrival, as some supplementary insurers have health questionnaires.

3. School Enrolment

If you have children, secure school places before moving:

• Local Swiss schools: Contact the Gemeinde Saanen school administration. Enrolment is based on residence. Teaching is in German.
• JFK International School (Saanen): English-language, ages 3-14. Apply well in advance; places are limited.
• Le Rosey: Boarding, ages 8-18. Waiting list applies; typically 5 applications per place.

First Week

4. Residence Registration (Anmeldung)

Within 14 days of moving in, register at the Einwohnerkontrolle (residents' registration office) in Saanen.

Bring:

• Passport or ID
• Residence permit (or confirmation of application)
• Rental contract or property deed
• Marriage/birth certificates if applicable

This registration triggers your entry into the Swiss system: tax, voting (for Swiss citizens), and official correspondence.

5. Bank Account

Open a Swiss bank account. You will need it for:

• Salary payments (if employed)
• Utility bills (many require direct debit, LSV)
• Tax payments
• Health insurance premiums
• Daily living expenses

Major banks in the area: UBS and Credit Suisse (now UBS) have branches in Gstaad and Saanen. Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) is the cantonal bank. PostFinance is another option.

Bring: Passport, proof of residence, proof of employment or source of funds.

6. Utilities

Set up or transfer utilities for your property:

• Electricity: Contact Energie Wasser Bern (ewb) or the local provider
• Water and sewage: Arranged through the municipality
• Heating: If oil, arrange a delivery. If heat pump or pellets, check the system is operational.
• Internet: Swisscom is the main provider. Salt and Sunrise also offer fibre in parts of the Saanenland.
• Television: Swiss TV licence (Serafe) is mandatory (~CHF 335/year per household)

First Month

7. Vehicle Registration

If you are bringing a car:

• Swiss residents must register their car in Switzerland within one year (or immediately if buying new)
• Contact the Strassenverkehrsamt (road traffic office) in Thun
• Vehicle inspection: Swiss MFK inspection is required for imported vehicles
• Insurance: Swiss motor insurance is mandatory. Compare through Comparis.ch.
• Driving licence: Foreign licences are valid for 12 months. After that, you must exchange for a Swiss licence (some nationalities require a driving test).

If buying a car in Switzerland:

• A 4x4 or AWD is strongly recommended for winter
• Winter tyres are mandatory in practice (November-April)
• Budget CHF 800-1,200/year for motor insurance

8. Waste Disposal (Kehricht)

Switzerland has a detailed waste separation system:

• General waste: Must use official Saanen municipality waste bags (purchased at supermarkets)
• Recycling: Glass, paper, cardboard, PET, aluminium, batteries, each collected separately
• Green waste: Garden waste collected seasonally
• Bulky items: Arranged through the municipality

This is not optional. Swiss waste management is taken seriously, and fines apply for non-compliance.

9. Post

Register with the Swiss Post (Die Post) for your new address. Set up mail forwarding from your previous address if needed. A postbox is standard.

Swiss post is reliable and efficient. Parcels typically arrive next business day for domestic deliveries.

10. Tax Registration

You will receive tax forms from the Steuerverwaltung des Kantons Bern (Bern cantonal tax administration). Key points:

• Tax year: Calendar year (January-December)
• Filing deadline: Typically 15 March for the previous year (extensions available)
• Provisional tax payments: Based on estimated income, paid quarterly or monthly
• Property taxes: Wealth tax and Eigenmietwert are part of your regular tax return, not separate bills

If you are on lump-sum taxation, your arrangement is already agreed. You still need to file, but the calculation is different.

First Three Months

11. Doctor and Dentist

Register with a local GP (Hausarzt) and dentist:

• GPs in Gstaad and Saanen: Several practices available
• Dentists: Multiple options locally
• Specialists: For specialist care, you may need to travel to Thun or Bern
• Hospital: Spital Zweisimmen is the nearest hospital (~20 minutes)
• Rega membership: CHF 42/year for individual, CHF 84 for family. Covers air ambulance costs. Highly recommended in a mountain area.

12. Local Memberships and Clubs

Integration into the community happens through participation:

• Ski clubs (several in the Saanenland)
• Gstaad Golf Club (membership by application)
• Tennis Club Gstaad
• Samariterverein (community first aid association)
• Hiking and outdoor clubs
• Church communities

Joining a club is the fastest way to meet people. See the year-round living guide for more on integration.

13. Property Insurance

Verify that all necessary insurance is in place:

• Building insurance: Mandatory in Canton Bern through GVB (Gebäudeversicherung Bern). This is typically arranged during the purchase process.
• Contents insurance (Hausrat): Optional but strongly recommended
• Liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht): Highly recommended (~CHF 100-200/year)
• Earthquake insurance: Optional (not covered by standard building insurance)

14. Staff and Services

If you need household help, arrange:

• Housekeeper/cleaner: Register them properly with Swiss social insurance (AHV/IV)
• Garden and grounds maintenance: Seasonal contracts, including winter snow clearing
• Caretaker/property manager: Essential if you will be absent for extended periods. See the cost of living guide for typical costs.

Ongoing

15. Language

If you do not speak German, start learning:

• German courses are available in the Saanenland and Thun
• Bernese German (Bärndütsch) is the local dialect, distinct from standard German
• Language proficiency is required for C permit applications (B1 spoken, A2 written)

16. Community Participation

• Gemeindeversammlung: The community assembly, where residents vote on local matters. Attendance is not mandatory but is valued.
• Local events: Alpabzug (cattle descent), Christmas markets, national day celebrations
• Supporting local businesses: Shopping at local stores and using local services builds relationships

Summary Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to settle in? Most new residents say it takes 6-12 months to feel practically settled (all the paperwork done, routines established) and 1-3 years to feel socially integrated.

Do I need a car? For year-round living, yes. Public transport within the Saanenland is limited outside the main train line.

Is the bureaucracy difficult? Efficient, but thorough. Everything is well-documented and the municipal offices are helpful. Having a local advisor for the initial setup is valuable.

What do people wish they had done sooner? Learn German, join a local club, and register with a GP before they needed one.

For a confidential conversation about your search or sale, contact The Gstaad Collection.