Practical tips for your first weeks

Moving to Switzerland involves more than finding a home and completing the necessary paperwork. During the first few weeks, there are also a number of practical tasks that can make everyday life easier, from getting around and making payments to staying connected with family, friends and colleagues.

A few useful apps and the right mobile setup can help you navigate these first steps more easily.

In this guide, find out which apps can be useful when you arrive, how to keep your existing mobile number while getting a Swiss one, and what newcomers working remotely should consider when setting up their connectivity.

Which apps are useful when moving to Switzerland?

Several apps are particularly useful for everyday life in Switzerland. Having them ready on your phone can make it easier to travel, check the weather, make payments and stay informed.

SBB Mobile

SBB Mobile is the official app of Swiss Federal Railways and is useful for travelling by train, tram and bus across Switzerland.

You can use it to check timetables, plan journeys, buy tickets and receive information about disruptions or delays. For newcomers who are still getting familiar with the Swiss public transport system, having all this information in one place can be particularly convenient.

TWINT

TWINT is a widely used Swiss mobile payment service. It allows users to make payments at participating shops, restaurants and other businesses, as well as transfer money to other people.

Setting up TWINT generally requires the appropriate Swiss banking and mobile details, so it may be something to arrange once you have opened a Swiss bank account and obtained a local mobile number.

MeteoSwiss

Weather conditions can vary considerably across Switzerland, particularly between cities, lakes and mountainous areas.

The official MeteoSwiss app provides weather forecasts and warnings, making it a useful reference for planning everyday activities and travel.

Alertswiss

Alertswiss is the official Swiss platform for emergency and public safety information. The app can send notifications about significant events and situations that may affect your area.

Local waste-collection services

Waste collection and recycling rules can vary between communes. Some municipalities provide their own apps or digital services with information about collection dates, recycling points and local disposal rules.

Checking the services available in your commune can help you understand the local system shortly after moving in.

Can I keep my foreign number and get a Swiss number?

Yes. You do not necessarily have to give up your existing number when you move to Switzerland.

Using dual SIM can allow you to keep your foreign number while adding a Swiss number to the same smartphone. Many newer smartphones support a combination of a physical SIM and an eSIM, although the exact configuration depends on the device.

This can be useful during the transition period:

• Your foreign number can remain available for contacts and services in your home country.
• Your Swiss number can be used for local services, employers and other Swiss contacts.
• You can choose which number to use for calls, messages and mobile data.

If you plan to keep your foreign number for a longer period, check the conditions with your existing provider. Depending on the country and plan, you may need a specific roaming option or may incur charges when using the number in Switzerland.

It is also worth checking which online accounts still use your foreign number for two-factor authentication before cancelling it.

What should I consider when working remotely from Switzerland?

For remote workers, a reliable internet connection is particularly important. Video conferences, VPN connections, cloud-based applications and large file transfers can all require a stable connection throughout the working day.

When choosing home internet, consider:

• The connection technology available at your address
• Download and upload speeds
• Connection stability
• Latency, particularly for video calls and interactive applications
• Installation or activation time
• Whether additional services are included

Fibre

Fibre to the home (FTTH) is generally the fastest fixed connection available. Where the infrastructure is available, Salt Home offers fibre plans with speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s.

For someone working from home and regularly using cloud services or video conferencing, the available upload speed can be particularly relevant, not just the headline download speed.

TV comes included, too — a small detail that goes a long way toward feeling settled, letting you follow local news and pick up the rhythms of everyday Swiss life from your own living room.

What if I regularly travel between Switzerland and other European countries?

If your work involves regular travel across Europe, it is worth checking the roaming conditions of your mobile plan before choosing one.

Using a Swiss mobile plan with European roaming included can make cross-border travel simpler. Depending on the plan, you may have a defined amount of high-speed data available in European countries, in addition to your Swiss allowance.

Salt offers plans with different levels of European roaming, including options such as Europe Data and Travel plans. The exact amount of data and countries included depends on the subscription.

When comparing plans, check the roaming zone, data allowance and applicable usage conditions rather than assuming that all European countries are covered in the same way.

What should I arrange during my first few weeks?

A simple connectivity checklist can help avoid some common problems after moving:

Get a Swiss mobile number

A local number can make it easier to manage Swiss services and stay reachable locally.

Set up the essential apps

Install public transport, payment, weather and emergency apps, as well as any services provided by your commune.

Decide whether to keep your foreign number

If you still need access to accounts, contacts or services in your home country, consider using dual SIM rather than cancelling your existing number immediately.

Check your home internet availability

Before choosing a fixed internet plan, check which connection technologies and speeds are available at your exact address.

Consider your work and travel needs

If you work remotely or travel frequently, pay particular attention to upload speeds, connection stability and international roaming.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Swiss mobile number immediately after moving?

Not necessarily, but having one can make it easier to manage local services and stay reachable by Swiss organisations, employers and other contacts.

Can I use two numbers on the same phone?

Many modern smartphones support dual SIM functionality, including combinations of a physical SIM and an eSIM. Check your device's specifications before choosing a setup.

Should I cancel my foreign mobile number when I move?

Not necessarily. If the number is still linked to accounts, two-factor authentication or contacts in your home country, keeping it active for a period of time can be useful. Check your provider's roaming and maintenance costs.

Which apps should I download first?

SBB Mobile, TWINT, MeteoSwiss and Alertswiss are useful starting points. You should also check whether your commune provides its own apps or digital services.

What internet connection is suitable for remote work?

Fibre is generally well suited to demanding home-working requirements because it can provide high speeds and stable connectivity. However, availability depends on your address, so check the available technology before choosing a plan.

Do I need a separate SIM when travelling in Europe?

Not necessarily. Some Swiss mobile plans include European roaming data, allowing you to use your Swiss subscription when travelling. Check the countries and data allowance included in your specific plan.

In summary

Getting organised digitally can make the first weeks in Switzerland easier.

Installing a few essential apps can help you navigate public transport, make payments, check the weather and receive important alerts. If you need to keep your foreign number, dual SIM functionality can allow you to use it alongside a Swiss number.

For remote workers, home internet is an important part of setting up a new home. Fibre can provide high speeds where available, while mobile plans with European roaming can be useful for people who regularly travel across borders.

Salt offers both mobile and home internet services, including Salt Home fibre plans with speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s where available and mobile plans with different options for international data.

For newcomers, the main priorities are straightforward: set up the apps and services you are likely to use, decide how you want to manage your existing mobile number, check internet availability at your new address and choose mobile and internet plans based on how you actually use them.