Housing & mobility

• The requirements for buying a house or land depend, among other things, on your nationality and whether you are already resident in Switzerland. For information, please contact the municipality in which you wish to buy a house or land.

• Special provisions apply to persons with preferential status. You are requested to check the FDFA protocol.

• The International Bern Welcome Desk has a network in the real estate sector and can help you if you are interested in buying a property.

These common platforms are available in different languages:

• Homegate

• Comparis

• Immoscout

• Home

• Ron Orp (for temporary properties and apartments for subletting.)

If you can't visit your new home before arriving in Switzerland, or if you need short-term accommodation before you leave, there are various options for temporary furnished accommodation.

Good to know

Renting in official temporary housing allows you to register with the city, and registration with the city is required to open a bank account or conclude a telecommunications contract.

• Landlords often require a comprehensive application dossier. In addition to a detailed questionnaire, an extract from the debt register collection and criminal record, proof of salary and salary statements for the last few months must be enclosed.

• Most real estate agencies also require proof of household contents and liability insurance.

Landlords can demand a security deposit of a maximum of three months' rent.

The deposit is usually deposited in a bank account or with an insurance company, which can be difficult for foreign nationals (for example, if they are not yet registered in Switzerland). Certain companies have developed solutions for new arrivals from abroad.

Household contents or liability insurance is not mandatory by law. However, as these insurances comprehensively protect people against the financial consequences of damage to persons or third-party property, many landlords nevertheless require such insurance to be taken out.

• Comparis: Household contents & personal liability insurance

If you live in the city of Bern: you can register or deregister gas, water and electricity at the customer center of the energy company EWB.

Bern is a model city when it comes to sustainability. Find out more about the title "Energy City" and the topic of sustainability.

In Bern, great importance is attached to the correct separation and disposal of waste.

Find out where, on what days and at what times you can dispose of your household waste. The regulations vary depending on the district!

As a general rule

Waste paper and cardboard are recycled. They are collected from the sidewalk on certain days/times. Sometimes containers are also available.

Glass & aluminum are taken to a recycling depot (use of the collection points is not permitted at weekends and in the evenings).

Plastic bottles & coffee capsules are taken back by stores.

• FOEN: Waste guide Keywords

• City of Bern: Waste

• Interactive map: Waste collection points

• Domestic workers can be employed privately or through a cleaning company. In the case of private employment, domestic workers must be registered with the AHV.

• SECO: Private employers

• Special provisions apply to persons with privileged status who wish to employ domestic staff. They are requested to contact the FDFA Protocol.

Depending on the residence permit or other factors, opening a bank account for foreign citizens can be associated with hurdles. The conditions vary from bank to bank

• FINMA: authorized banks and securities administrators

• schweizer-Banken.info: Banks in Bern

You can choose between larger and smaller providers who have various offers ranging from simple budget options to comprehensive packages (incl. Internet, TV, international phone calls, etc.).

• comparis: Comparison telecom plans

• Publibike

• ProVelo

• rentabike

• Carvelo

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)– all of Switzerland

• Integrated fare network that allows passengers to use all means of public transportation in Switzerland (with a few exceptions such as some mountain railroads).

• Single, multiple-journey or day tickets as well as route, monthly or annual travelcards can be purchased.

• A ticket must also be purchased for dogs and bicycles.

The Liberofare network does not cover the whole of Switzerland, but the regions of Berne, Biel, Solothurn and Thun.

Moonliner: Night bus during the weekend for the city and region of Bern. Special fares apply.

• search.ch: Taxi organizations

• Interactive map: Cab ranks in Bern

• City of Bern: Offers from public transport and private providers

• Auto Trade Association Switzerland

Special provisions apply to persons with preferential status. You are requested to contact the FDFA protocol.

• Further information see relocation & arrival

• Mobility: vehicles at 1'500 locations throughout Switzerland. A subscription is required to use the service.

• Further information see Health & Insurance

• Road safety & breakdown assistance: TCS, VCS or ACS

• ch.ch: Traffic regulations

Good to know

In Switzerland, it is compulsory to drive with headlights on, even during the day.

Did you know that every vehicle (including motorcycles) must have a “vignette” (sticker) when using the highway? This can be purchased at post offices, kiosks and petrol stations – and now also online:

This obligation also applies to vehicles of persons with privileged status.

• FOCBS: Vignette

• Canton of Berne: learner's permit

Persons without privileges: The driver's license must be converted into a Swiss driver's license within 12 months. The same applies to license plates.

• Canton of Bern: Road Traffic and Navigation Office

• Association of Road Traffic Offices (ASA): Information about driving licenses

Persons with privileged status: Holders of type “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” legitimation cards are exempt from the obligation to exchange their foreign driving licenses.

• FDFA: Vehicles

• Directory of driving school

A large part of the old town is car-free.

• City of Bern: Parking

• Parking permits can be ordered from the city of Bern