📋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.