What things do you need to arrange when emigrating from Belgium to Switzerland?

Emigrating from Belgium to Switzerland means that you have to complete and terminate a lot of Belgian administration. The last thing you want is to still pay premiums months later for services you no longer use, or have problems because you forgot to cancel something in time. Here you can read exactly what to arrange and when.

Unsubscribing from the population register

This is often the first step that people take, but timing is crucial: you must unsubscribe from the Belgian population register at least the day before you leave by reporting it to the municipal administration of your Belgian residence. This deregistration is mandatory if you are going to permanently establish your main residence abroad.

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The procedure may vary from municipality to municipality, so check in time with your own municipality what the requirements are and whether you need to make an appointment with the Population and Civil Affairs Department.

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In any case, request proof of deletion (model 8). You may need this document to register with the municipality in Switzerland. Your identity card remains valid until the expiration date, but renewals must be made via the Belgian consulate.

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To arrange:

• Check the procedure with your municipality (appointment required or free walk in?)
• Arrange unsubscribing (at least the day before departure)
• Request proof of deletion (model 8)

Arrange health insurance with your health insurance

If you permanently emigrate to Switzerland and start living and working there, you will lose your right to Belgian health insurance through your health insurance. The rules and procedures applicable to access medical care may vary depending on the country of destination.

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You must contact your health insurance to report your situation and terminate your insurance from the date you no longer live in Belgium. In Switzerland, you must take out a new health insurance within 3 months in accordance with local legislation.

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To arrange:

• Contact your health insurance to report emigration
• Stop insurance as of departure date
• Inquire about any transitional arrangements

Terminate subscriptions and services

You probably have more subscriptions and contracts than you think. For mobile subscriptions, you will no longer pay a cancellation fee after six months. Internet and TV often have notice periods of one to two months.

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Don't forget home services either: central heating maintenance, alarm systems or garden maintenance will continue, even if you no longer live there. Your fitness subscription usually has 1 to 3 months' notice. You can often just take streaming services to Switzerland, but check this out.

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To arrange:

• End mobile subscriptions (notice varies)
• Cancelling Internet & TV (1-2 months notice)
• Cancel gas, water, electricity (for tenants)
• Terminate the CV maintenance contract
• Cancel a sports subscription (1-3 months notice)
• Check/cancel streaming services
• End Newspaper/magazine subscriptions

Organizing your banking and insurance

Important to know: Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, although it does have bilateral agreements with the EU. Most Belgian banks will let you keep your account if you emigrate to Switzerland, although you often pay a little more for management from abroad. By the information exchange agreements between Belgium and Switzerland your Belgian bank accounts are automatically reported to the Swiss tax authorities (where you are currently a tax resident). This exchange takes place automatically between the tax authorities: you do not have to declare this yourself.

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Credit cards can be another story: many airlines have stricter rules for customers living abroad. Savings products often also have specific conditions, so check this carefully.

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You also need attention to insurance. You can cancel your home insurance if you sell or give away your items. With your family insurance, you should check whether it also applies in Switzerland; some yes, others not. Travel insurance is often no longer necessary if you become a resident of Switzerland, as you will be covered by the Swiss health care system.

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To arrange:

• Contacting your bank about holding accounts
• Check credit cards for foreign terms
• Check savings products for restrictions
• Cancelling home insurance if applicable
• Check family insurance for coverage in Switzerland
• Evaluate/cancel travel insurance

Arrange the car

Are you taking your car to Switzerland? Then you must first deregister it from the Belgian license plate system. You can then cancel your Belgian car insurance, because it does not apply in Switzerland.

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Are you leaving your car in Belgium? Then it's best to sell it or transfer it to someone else. If you unsubscribe from the municipality, you can no longer leave the car in your name without someone else in Belgium becoming responsible.

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And don't forget: within one year, you must exchange your Belgian driving license for a Swiss driving license.

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To arrange:

• Unregister the car from the Belgian number plate system (if you bring it with you)
• Stop Belgian car insurance
• Transfer the license plate to someone else (if the car stays)
• Or sell/transfer a car

Tip: check your bank statements before you emigrate!

Grab your bank statements for the past 6 months and see all automatic charges. This way, you can see exactly which subscriptions you have and you won't forget any. Also check the subscriptions of your possible partner and children. They often have their own contracts running.

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Also check out our comprehensive checklist for emigration

Properly discontinuing all your subscriptions and services before moving to Switzerland can be a challenge. But don't worry: takeoff helps you with a personal checklist so you don't forget anything. We'll make sure you get started on your Swiss adventure without the hassle and red tape!

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Curious about the complete checklist with everything you need to arrange when emigrating from Belgium to Switzerland? From address changes to pension plans: check out our comprehensive emigration to Switzerland checklist and learn more about how takeoff guides you when moving to Switzerland.