Full-service relocation in Genève

The chain starts at the OCPM, which publishes indicative processing times in working days: 6 to 8 weeks for a first permit with gainful activity, 2 to 4 weeks for a biometric data appointment and 14 days for a residence attestation needing special handling (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026). A third-country adult’s first B or L permit costs CHF 95 for the permit and CHF 22 for the card, plus CHF 20 for biometric capture (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Household goods follow federal customs rules: Form 18.44 is filed at an office for commercial goods, and goods may arrive within two years of the move (FOCBS, checked 21 Oct 2026). Vehicles go through the Office cantonal des véhicules, route de Veyrier 86 in Carouge, whose counters open from 7:30 on Tuesday to Friday and from 9:00 on Monday, until 16:00 (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026).

A foreign driving licence is exchanged within 12 months of taking up residence, at the counter without appointment, for CHF 150 (CHF 200 for categories C, C1 and D). Employees of international organisations who hold a legitimation card and enjoy immunity are not obliged to exchange it (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026). In principle a person domiciled in Switzerland may not drive a foreign-registered car in Switzerland, and a vehicle bought abroad has to meet Swiss emission, noise and lighting standards (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Newcomers announce their arrival to the cantonal population and migration office (OCPM), route de Chancy 88 in Onex (ge.ch OCPM, checked 21 Oct 2026). Most procedures run online through an e-démarches account on ge.ch, and the counters open by appointment only. The deadline after arrival is 14 days (2026) (ge.ch arrival, checked 21 Oct 2026), and a first B or L permit costs an EU/EFTA adult CHF 65 (Canton of Geneva, checked 21 Oct 2026). The steps are in registering at your commune.