📋What you'll learn in this guide:
- Day 1-2: Registration (Anmeldung) & Phone
- Day 3-4: Bank account & Groceries
- Day 5-7: Transport & Exploration
- Community: Meeting other expats
Congratulations! You've made it to Zurich. Now what? Your first week will be a whirlwind of bureaucracy, exploration, and probably a bit of culture shock. This guide will help you navigate it all.
Day 1-2: The Essentials
Register Your Residence (Anmeldung)
This is non-negotiable. You must register within 14 days of arriving.
What you need:
- Passport
- Rental contract (or confirmation letter from your host)
- Work permit / visa
- Passport photos (some offices still require these)
Where to go: Head to your local Kreisbüro (district office). In central Zurich, that's usually Kreisbüro 1 on Stadthaus.
💡 Pro tip: Book an appointment online at stadt-zuerich.ch – walk-ins can mean 2+ hour waits.
Get a Swiss Phone Number
You'll need this for everything from banking to ordering SBB tickets. Options:
Mobile Providers
- Swisscom: Best network, highest price.
- Sunrise: Solid runner-up, good bundles.
- Salt: Cheapest of the big three.
- Wingo/Yallo: Budget brands (run on big networks). Online only.
Open a Bank Account
Most banks require your residence confirmation (which you get after Anmeldung). Popular choices for expats:
- UBS / Credit Suisse – Traditional, full-service
- PostFinance – Low fees, postal integration
- Neon / Yuh – Modern, app-based, quick setup
Day 3-4: Setting Up Your Life
Find Your Supermarket
Swiss grocery stores each have their personality:
- Migros – No alcohol, good quality, orange brand
- Coop – Slightly pricier, has alcohol
- Denner / Aldi / Lidl – Budget options
- Rimuss – For those Migros alcohol workarounds 😉
Get Your Half-Fare Card
At CHF 185/year, the Half-Fare Card (Halbtax) pays for itself in 2-3 trips. Buy it at any SBB station or online.
Day 5-7: Explore and Connect
You've handled the bureaucracy. Now for the fun part!
Must-See Spots
- Lake Zurich – Walk along the promenade
- Old Town (Altstadt) – Cobblestone charm
- Üetliberg – City views without leaving town
- Niederdorf – Bars and restaurants
Join the Expat Community
This is where NewHere.ch comes in! Check our events page for upcoming dinners and meetups in Zurich.
Your First Week Checklist
- Register residence (Anmeldung)
- Get a Swiss phone number
- Open a bank account
- Buy a Half-Fare card
- Explore your neighborhood
- Meet other expats!
Welcome to Zurich. You're going to love it here.
Put This Into Action
Build your first-month plan with the Relocation Timeline, estimate your baseline spend with the Cost of Living Calculator, and test commute tradeoffs with the Commute Cost Planner.
FAQ
How quickly do I need to register after moving to Zurich?
Most residents need to register with the Kreisburo within 14 days of moving in. Check your specific permit and commune instructions, but treat the first two weeks as your safe window.
Which Zurich neighborhoods are easiest for newcomers?
That depends on budget and commute. Oerlikon, Wiedikon, Altstetten, and parts of Seefeld often come up for expats because they balance transport access, daily convenience, and international mix differently.
Do I need German before I arrive?
You can survive in English at first, but even basic German makes admin, housing, and social integration noticeably easier. Starting before arrival lowers friction immediately.