Identify the right procedure before moving. Arrival registration, residence rights and permission to work are connected but separate matters.
Before arrival: plan the full budget
Separate recurring costs from moving expenses. Include rent, lease charges, insurance and transport, then furniture removal, essential purchases and your chosen tenancy-deposit arrangement.
List housing priorities: bedrooms, journey to work, schools and move-in date. Distinguish essentials from preferences so you can assess options without making every decision under pressure.
On arrival: follow the right OCPM procedure
The OCPM’s general guidance requires registration within 14 days of taking up residence. The process depends on nationality, residence status and where you are arriving from. Follow the page for your circumstances.
For EU/EFTA nationals, the dedicated page says stays longer than three months require an authorisation and the application must precede the start of work. Registration alone is not permission to work.
Health insurance: plan for the three-month deadline
The cantonal health insurance service requires effective affiliation within three months of taking up residence in Geneva, even while a residence permit is pending. Proof must reach the SAM within that period. Check special situations and possible exceptions with the service.
Gather each household member’s details, compare options and retain confirmation. The SAM links to the official Priminfo comparison service.
With children: contact the school early
Primary school in Geneva starts at age four, subject to the applicable school-entry rules. The canton provides different procedures for first entry, arrivals during the school year and children changing address.
Prepare previous schooling information and contact the relevant service as your housing plans become clearer. Also organise travel and care outside school hours.
At handover: keep a record
We recommend keeping the lease and annexes together and documenting the property’s condition on arrival. Record meters, keys and points to clarify with the letting agent. Seek individual advice promptly where a legal deadline or dispute is involved.
Next, arrange utilities, internet, postal details and updates for your usual contacts. A check one week after moving helps reveal missing confirmations.
Support that fits your move
Maison LBM can help with a home search or separately agreed administrative tasks. School registration, document preparation and individual formalities should be expressly included in the quote when requested.
You retain approval over information shared and commitments made in your name. A clear service agreement states who does what, when and at what price.
Sources and reference date
Sources consulted on 18 October 2026. Official procedures may change; check the page for your circumstances before taking action.
- OCPM — Annoncer mon arrivée ↗︎
- OCPM — Arrivée des ressortissants UE/AELE ↗︎
- SAM — Affiliation obligatoire à une caisse d’assurance-maladie ↗︎
- Département de l’instruction publique — Inscription à l’école primaire ↗︎
General information and practical suggestions. Individual administrative decisions, tenancy outcomes and legal assessments depend on the circumstances.
