Leaving Geneva: Departure Checklist

Planning your departure from Geneva? Before you say goodbye, there’s a list of important tasks to handle to close things out properly, from deregistering with the authorities to cancelling your lease, phone contract, insurance, and more. This departure checklist will guide you through each step and link you to helpful articles on my website to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Leaving well-organized saves you stress and possible surprises later.

Admin

• How to notify Swiss authorities you’re leaving and get an “attestation de départ”.
• How to resign when relocating from Switzerland, and what to expect from your employer.

Home

• [Available soon] Terminating your rental lease properly (letter templates, deadlines, etc.)
• [Available soon] How to return your keys & get your rental deposit back
• [Available soon] What to do with utilities (electricity, internet, water, etc.)
• [Available soon] Cancelling home insurance
• Where to donate, sell, or dispose of furniture and goods when clearing out your home in Geneva.

Finances

• Should you keep your Swiss bank account after relocating? Key factors and closure steps.
• Guide to settling your Swiss taxes in Geneva before leaving Switzerland.
• A guide to handling your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pillar pensions when you leave Switzerland.

Health

• [Available soon] Cancelling your Swiss health insurance

Transport

• [Available soon] How to sell or export your car when leaving
• [Available soon] Returning or cancelling transport passes (TPG, SBB)

Schools and daycare

• [Available soon] Closing school or daycare registrations

Essentials

• [Available soon] Leaving Switzerland temporarily? What changes?
• [Available soon] How to cancel or transfer your Swiss phone contract
• A guide to forwarding Swiss mail, including costs, timelines, and exclusions.
• [Available soon] Goodbye admin: making sure you don’t get post-departure bills