Staying connected from day one

Moving to Switzerland comes with a long checklist — registering at the Gemeinde, opening a bank account, finding an apartment. But before any of that feels manageable, you need one thing: a working phone and a way to get online. You'll need a local number for your residence registration, your employer, your bank, and your health insurance provider. Everything else on the newcomer checklist gets easier once you can actually make a call, receive verification codes, or fill out a form online.

In this guide, find out what newcomers should know about mobile connections, Swiss SIM cards, roaming and home internet before choosing a plan.

Swiss SIM card or roaming: what should newcomers know?

Switzerland is not part of the European Union or the European Economic Area, so the EU's "roam like at home" rules do not automatically apply.

If you are arriving from an EU country, your existing mobile plan may therefore work differently in Switzerland. Depending on your home provider, you may face additional roaming charges, a limited data allowance or other restrictions.

For a short stay, keeping your existing SIM and using roaming can be a practical temporary solution. If you are moving to Switzerland for a longer period, however, a Swiss mobile plan can offer a more predictable option.

A local Swiss number can also be useful for everyday administration. Some organisations may ask for a Swiss telephone number or use SMS verification when you register for services.

How do mobile plans work in Switzerland?

Switzerland has three companies that operate their own mobile networks: Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt.

There are also many other brands offering mobile plans using one of these networks. When comparing offers, it is therefore useful to look not only at the provider, but also at the network used and what is included in the plan.

Depending on your needs, you can generally choose between prepaid and postpaid plans.

Do I need identification to get a Swiss SIM card?

Yes. Identity verification is required for Swiss SIM cards, including both prepaid and postpaid offers.

You will generally need a valid passport or identity card when purchasing a SIM. Depending on the provider and how you purchase the plan, identification may take place in a store or through an online verification process.

If you are arriving in Switzerland and want to get connected immediately, checking the provider's requirements before purchasing can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Physical SIM or eSIM: which should I choose?

Swiss mobile providers can offer both physical SIM cards and eSIMs, depending on the plan and device.

An eSIM is a digital SIM that can be activated directly on a compatible smartphone. It can be particularly convenient when you want to get connected without waiting for a physical SIM card.

It can also allow you to use two mobile numbers on the same smartphone, for example a personal and professional number, depending on your device.

A physical SIM remains a straightforward option if your phone does not support eSIM or if you prefer to use a traditional SIM card.

What should I look for in a Swiss mobile plan?

When comparing mobile offers, the monthly price is only one factor to consider.

It is worth checking:

• How much mobile data is included
• Whether the data is unlimited and at what speed
• Which countries are included in roaming
• How much high-speed data is available abroad
• Whether calls and SMS are included
• The minimum contract period
• Any activation or other one-off fees
• Whether the plan can be combined with other services

For people who travel regularly, roaming can make a significant difference. Some Swiss plans include data in European countries, while others offer larger allowances or coverage across a wider group of countries.

Choose your preferred SIM type for your plan.

With Salt Mobile, you have the flexibility to choose between a physical SIM or an eSIM, offering you a seamless mobile experience. Having an eSIM gives you, for example, the possibility to use two phone numbers on the same smartphone and effortlessly switch between your professional and personal lines. When you use an eSIM, you dont have to worry about inserting or removing your SIM card, and it is even more secure as you can remotely deactivate it in case of losing it or being stolen.

Do all Salt mobile plans include unlimited internet?

At Salt, unlimited internet at maximum 5G speed is a key feature of many of our mobile subscriptions. Some plans, like Swiss Max, offer unlimited internet in Switzerland, ideal for users who want to stay constantly connected at the highest speed. For travel in Europe, enjoy our Europe Data and Europe Max subscriptions with unlimited Internet and up to 20 GB or 40 GB of high-speed data. If you’re a relentless traveller, you get to choose plans with loads of data included in many EU and non-EU countries (30+), as well as calls if needed.

Setting up internet at home in Switzerland

Once you have found a home, you will usually want to arrange a fixed internet connection.

The most important point to understand is that the technology available depends on your address. The same provider may offer fibre at one building but a different connection technology at another nearby address.

There are several types of home internet connection in Switzerland.

Fibre to the home (FTTH)

Fibre is generally the fastest fixed internet technology available. Depending on the infrastructure and plan, it can provide multi-gigabit speeds.

Fibre availability has expanded considerably in Swiss cities and larger towns, but coverage still varies between buildings. Older properties and some locations outside larger urban areas may not yet have a fibre connection.

DSL / VDSL

DSL and VDSL use the existing copper telephone network. These connections remain available in many buildings, particularly older properties.

They can be sufficient for everyday activities such as browsing, streaming and video calls, although speeds are generally lower than with fibre.

5G home internet

5G home internet uses the mobile network instead of a fixed fibre or cable connection.

This can be a practical option if you are in temporary accommodation, need a connection quickly or live somewhere where fibre is not available. Performance depends on the 5G coverage and network conditions at your address.

Why should I check my address before choosing a provider?

Checking your address is one of the most important steps when arranging home internet.

Availability can vary significantly even between neighbouring buildings. Before comparing prices or signing a contract, check which technologies and speeds are actually available at your address.

Most major providers (including Salt) offer an online address checker. This allows you to see whether fibre, DSL, cable or 5G services are available before choosing a plan.

Installation timing is another factor to consider. Depending on the provider, technology and existing infrastructure in your building, installation may take from a few days to several weeks.

With Salt Home, for example, customers can set up their internet connection themselves using the equipment and instructions provided, depending on the installation requirements at their address.

What home internet options does Salt offer?

Salt offers fixed internet through Salt Home and Salt Home+, with fibre plans reaching speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s — one of the fastest connections available in the country.

Salt Home is hard to beat on value: it starts at CHF 49.95/month and drops to CHF 39.95/month if you're already a Salt mobile customer, thanks to the CHF 10 bundle discount.

Independent testing can provide another useful reference when comparing providers. In the 2025 nPerf report, Salt recorded strong results for fixed internet performance in Switzerland, including download speed, upload speed and latency.

Common connectivity mistakes to avoid when moving to Switzerland

Assuming your existing EU SIM will work as it does at home

Switzerland is outside the EU roaming framework. Check your home provider's Swiss roaming conditions before using your existing SIM for an extended period.

Signing an internet contract before checking your address

Fibre and other connection technologies are not available everywhere. Check your exact address before comparing plans.

Forgetting your identification

A valid passport or identity card is required for Swiss SIM registration. Bring the appropriate identification when purchasing your SIM.

Choosing a plan based only on the monthly price

A cheaper plan may include less data, less roaming or fewer services. Compare what is included rather than looking only at the headline price.

Relying on an old phone

Swiss operators have been phasing out 3G services. If you plan to use an older device, check that it supports the network technologies currently available in Switzerland.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my EU mobile plan in Switzerland?

Possibly, but Switzerland is not covered by the EU's "roam like at home" rules. Check your provider's specific roaming conditions before using your existing plan extensively.

Can I get a Swiss SIM card without a Swiss address?

Prepaid plans can be a practical option if you have just arrived and do not yet have a permanent address. Identity verification is still required.

Is eSIM available in Switzerland?

Yes. Swiss providers (including Salt) offer eSIM options for compatible devices and plans. An eSIM can be particularly convenient when you want to activate a mobile connection without using a physical SIM card.

Which type of home internet connection should I choose?

This depends primarily on what is available at your address. Fibre generally offers the highest speeds, while DSL and 5G can be useful alternatives where fibre is unavailable.

In summary

Getting connected is one of the practical steps worth taking early when moving to Switzerland.

If you are arriving from an EU country, remember that Switzerland is outside the EU roaming framework and check the conditions of your existing plan.

For home internet, the connection available at your address is an important starting point.

Salt offers both mobile and home internet services, including Salt Home fibre plans with speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s at one of the lowest price points in the country. Its mobile plans also include different options for data and international usage.

For newcomers, the most important steps are straightforward: check your roaming conditions, bring valid identification when getting a Swiss SIM, compare what is included in each mobile plan and check internet availability at your exact address before signing a contract.