Have the rules changed when it comes to registering at a temporary address?
We moved back to Basel at the start of the month and we're staying in an Airbnb apartment until we find a flat we like, we're quite hopefully so we're only booking this place one month at a time.
This morning when the girlfriend went off to register with the canton she was told that she'd expect arrangements lasting at least a month or two at this time of year and that a hotel reservation isn't enough since anyone can book a hotel online these days.
She had her work contract with her and I'm already registered at the same address so I don't really understand what more we can do.
I should add, we're both EU citizens moving back to Switzerland after a short time in the UK, we have both held permits in Basel before.
Book it for longer if that’s what they want. As this time of the year isn’t when people move there may not be many opportunities for you to find a place in the near future. Next “official” moving date would be end of March 2016 so most rental contracts would be geared up for that I expect. That’s not to say you won’t find something before then, but the choice will be more limited.
Strange, even i'm staying in Swiss start apartment where I can scrap the contract within 14 days. But Kreisburo didn't ask how long I would be staying in this apartment while registering.
a) depends on the canton, some may be happy with a short lease, others not.
b) you’re a non-EU national who’s permit has already been approved so that might have some effect, not sure.
And anyway you’ll have to notify the gemeinde admin office when you do find a new place - and pay for the change of course.
Same happened to me in July, airBnB confirmation is not enough. They gave me a form to be signed by the owner of the house, where he/she certifies i am allowed to stay in the house.
No, you’re not supposed to start working until you’ve registered, even if you have an employment contract.
"Gainful employment of more than 3 months
Within 14 days of their arrival and before actually taking up work, nationals of EU-25/EFTA states have to register with the local authorities of the commune in which they are residing and apply for a residence permit. A valid ID or passport and a written confirmation of employment (e.g. the contract of employment containing details of the duration of employment and the number of working hours) have to be presented. A residence permit will be issued depending on the duration of employment: a short-term residence permit (type L permit) for employment of up to 364 days or a residence permit (type B permit) for employment of at least one year or for an unlimited period."
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…hweiz/faq.html
You do not have to register immediately though as that advice is for those who arrive with an employment contract already in their hands. As an EU national you have up to 3 months to job hunt without the need to register - effectively you’re a tourist. If after the 3 months you still want to look for work, then you need to register as being resident here. You’ll need to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself while job hunting to get a permit.
" Do I have to secure employment in Switzerland before entering the country or may I look for work once I am in Switzerland?
EU-27/EFTA nationals may enter Switzerland for job-seeking purposes. No permit is required for stays of up to three months. If no job can be found within this time, the appropriate local or cantonal authorities will grant a short-term residence permit (type L permit) valid for another three months’ job search. If after this period your job search has remained unsuccessful, you may request for your short-term residence permit to be extended. Extensions are granted up to one year."
I doubt it. Depending on how much time there is between getting a firm job offer and starting work, you’ll need to find someplace to live. That may be something your new employer could help with as sometimes they can arrange temp accommodation for a few months while you look for something more permanent.
Yes, may be, but I do know someone else here had one as an address and it wasn’t accepted by the commune/gemeinde office either. Remember though that this can vary from canton to canton so what may be unacceptable in one may be fine in another.
Best thing to do is get advice from the cantonal migration office where you plan to live/work once you’re closer to getting a job.
As I said, it depends on the canton/commune/gemeinde. Presumably the other person also had a contract, but it wasn’t accepted.
My feeling is the authorities consider WGZimmer et al as okay for students and maybe tourists, but people earning a living here should be able to afford a “proper” place, hence the reluctance to accept anything else. Not necessarily logical to us, but it is Swiss logic!
Find a job first, that’s your main priority. If/when you do as I said, it may be the company can help with finding appropriate/acceptable temp accommodation while you look for something permanent. It will also help you be able to afford a better place as you’ll have an employment contract in hand and an employer to back you up with any landlords/agencies who may be dubious about your ability to afford the rent.
I lived at 4 addresses over 20 years & never ever showed a contract. I only had a contract at 1 of the addresses. There is also no requirement in Swiss law that an agreement need be in writing.....
That may be, but I’m just saying don’t be surprised if you turn up to register with a WGZimmer address and it gets refused. Of course you’d then also have the problem of a) finding an acceptable address, b) getting out of the WGZimmer contract without having to pay for the months you haven’t used. If you can’t find another tenant to replace you then you’re still liable for the rent if you move out before the end of the lease period. So it could possibly end up costing you more than just finding an acceptable address in the first place if you can’t match up moving out of the Zimmer and into the other property.
Well the UK's problem is people invest in housing rather than anything else. Don't you think landlords spend any money?
You see, that is where you are wrong as far as Switzerland goes. It’s a high earning country, but the majority - something like 80%+ rent because property prices are so high and because of the need for 20% deposits to get a mortgage. Plus here people rarely pay off their mortgage because it’s more beneficial tax-wise not to.