How to notify authorities when leaving Geneva

If you’re leaving Geneva for a certain amount of time, you may need to inform the OCPM. This applies if:

• You’re Swiss and leaving for more than 3 months
• You have a B or C permit and are leaving for more than 6 months
• You have an L permit and are leaving for more than 3 months

You don’t need to notify the OCPM if you’re leaving for a shorter period (such as a vacation) or moving temporarily within Switzerland for less than the time limits above. However, if you’re changing your primary residence to another canton, you must inform the authorities.

Specific information for holders of legitimation cards and Ci permits is available further below.

When to declare your departure

You must notify the OCPM no later than 14 days before leaving Geneva. You can submit your declaration up to one month before your departure.

How to do it (and get a departure certificate – attestation de départ)

You can notify the OCPM online using a verified e-démarches account or by mailing the paper form (the links to e-démarches and to download the paper form are available on this page. If you use the paper form, include a copy of your valid ID. You won’t receive an automatic confirmation, but you can request a departure certificate (attestation de départ) for CHF 25 per person. This may be useful for customs, banking, or other official matters.

If you have children

If a child is leaving the canton with only one parent, you may need to provide proof of custody or written consent from the other parent. In some cases, a court decision may be required.

What happens to your permit

If you have a B or L permit, your right to stay in Switzerland ends the day after your departure. If you return later, you’ll need to apply for a new residence permit.

If you hold a C permit and are leaving Switzerland temporarily, you can apply to keep your permit for up to four years. This is called an authorization of absence. You must request it before leaving the country.

If you’re a UK national with rights acquired under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), declaring a permanent departure without first requesting an authorization of absence means you will permanently lose those rights.

Returning to Geneva after a temporary move abroad

If you’re a non-EU/EFTA national with a B permit and your employer is sending you abroad temporarily, you can request a return authorization. This allows you to regain your B permit when you return to Switzerland.

Planning to work in Geneva while living in neighboring France?

If you intend to live in neighboring France but keep working in Geneva, you’ll likely need a cross-border work permit (G permit), even if your job stays the same. Additional rules apply to nationals of non-EU/EFTA countries. It’s strongly recommended to check your eligibility and complete the required steps before notifying the OCPM of your departure.

Legitimation card and Ci permit holders

If you have a legitimation card or a Ci permit, you are not subject to the usual departure formalities with the cantonal authorities. When you leave Switzerland, you must return your permit to your employer, who is responsible for sending it back to the Swiss Mission in Geneva. No further action is required, unless you were registered with your commune (municipality) of residence, for example, for local tax purposes or school enrollment. In those cases, you may need to inform the commune of you departure.