What documents are needed for the first day of work in Switzerland?

For the first day you need: valid ID card or passport, G permit (or receipt of application), signed employment contract, Swiss bank details (IBAN), health insurance certificate (LAMal or SSN), and Italian tax code.

How long does it take to obtain a G permit?

For EU citizens, the G permit is issued within 5–10 working days from the employer's application. You can begin working with the application receipt. The physical permit (card format) arrives by post in 2–4 weeks.

Do I need to open a Swiss bank account for my salary?

Yes, most Swiss employers require a Swiss account for the CHF salary payment. Banks most used by cross-border workers are PostFinance (economical, ~CHF 5/month), Raiffeisen, and cantonal banks. You need your G permit, employment contract, and ID.

Is it better to choose Swiss LAMal or Italian SSN as health insurance?

The right of option depends on citizenship and residence. Eligible workers choosing the SSN must formally request exemption from the competent authority in their canton of employment within three months of starting their contract; SSN registration alone is insufficient. The choice cannot be changed freely: check any new circumstances with the canton. During a temporary stay in Switzerland, people entitled to use the EHIC can receive medically necessary public healthcare, taking account of the treatment and length of stay, on the conditions and at the costs applicable to locally insured people. This is not limited to emergencies and is not necessarily free. The EHIC does not cover travel for planned treatment, private care or repatriation; planned treatment and care in the country of residence follow separate procedures to check beforehand with the ASL and insurer. Eligibility also depends on insurance affiliation and citizenship: do not assume every card can be used in Switzerland. LAMal-insured people resident in Italy receive form S1 from their insurer and register it with the competent Italian healthcare institution to access care under the rules of their country of residence. https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/european-health-insurance-card_en

Does a cross-border worker need to register with AIRE?

No, a cross-border worker with a G permit who maintains residence in Italy does not need to register with AIRE. Registration is mandatory only for those who transfer residence to Switzerland (B permit). The cross-border worker remains fiscally resident in Italy.

First Day as Cross-border Worker Guide (cross-border guide)

First-day guide for new cross-border workers: a checklist of every step, from the G permit and AIRE registration to opening your Swiss bank account.

By Frontaliere Ticino Editorial Team

The first-day guide covers all practical steps for new cross-border workers: G permit collection, Swiss bank account opening, health insurance choice (LAMal or Italian NHS), AIRE registration, and first tax return.

Each step includes real timelines, required documents, and links to the relevant offices (Ticino Migration Office, INPS, Italian Revenue Agency) to complete procedures without errors.

The interactive checklist guides you week by week through the first 90 days, from signing your contract to full fiscal and social security stabilisation.

This page is part of Frontaliere Ticino, the reference platform for cross-border workers between Switzerland (Canton Ticino) and Italy. Find practical tools, updated data, and verified information.

Content is designed to help cross-border workers make informed decisions about taxation, pensions, transportation, cost of living, and administrative procedures.

All tools and data are updated for the 2026 fiscal year, reflecting the New Bilateral Tax Agreement between Switzerland and Italy, current AVS/LPP contribution rates, and Canton Ticino withholding tax tables.

The platform covers the complete cross-border worker lifecycle: from obtaining your G or B permit and opening a Swiss bank account, to filing your annual tax returns in both countries, planning your AVS and LPP pension, and comparing the cost of living on both sides of the border.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are needed for the first day of work in Switzerland?: For the first day you need: valid ID card or passport, G permit (or receipt of application), signed employment contract, Swiss bank details (IBAN), health insurance certificate (LAMal or SSN), and Italian tax code.
How long does it take to obtain a G permit?: For EU citizens, the G permit is issued within 5–10 working days from the employer's application. You can begin working with the application receipt. The physical permit (card format) arrives by post in 2–4 weeks.
Do I need to open a Swiss bank account for my salary?: Yes, most Swiss employers require a Swiss account for the CHF salary payment. Banks most used by cross-border workers are PostFinance (economical, ~CHF 5/month), Raiffeisen, and cantonal banks. You need your G permit, employment contract, and ID.
Is it better to choose Swiss LAMal or Italian SSN as health insurance?: The right of option depends on citizenship and residence. Eligible workers choosing the SSN must formally request exemption from the competent authority in their canton of employment within three months of starting their contract; SSN registration alone is insufficient. The choice cannot be changed freely: check any new circumstances with the canton. During a temporary stay in Switzerland, people entitled to use the EHIC can receive medically necessary public healthcare, taking account of the treatment and length of stay, on the conditions and at the costs applicable to locally insured people. This is not limited to emergencies and is not necessarily free. The EHIC does not cover travel for planned treatment, private care or repatriation; planned treatment and care in the country of residence follow separate procedures to check beforehand with the ASL and insurer. Eligibility also depends on insurance affiliation and citizenship: do not assume every card can be used in Switzerland. LAMal-insured people resident in Italy receive form S1 from their insurer and register it with the competent Italian healthcare institution to access care under the rules of their country of residence. https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/european-health-insurance-card_en
Does a cross-border worker need to register with AIRE?: No, a cross-border worker with a G permit who maintains residence in Italy does not need to register with AIRE. Registration is mandatory only for those who transfer residence to Switzerland (B permit). The cross-border worker remains fiscally resident in Italy.