Practical information and useful links

Personal liability insurance

You are strongly recommended to take out personal liability insurance, to cover you if someone else suffers a physical injury or damage to property.

Fire and natural elements insurance (ECA-Vaud)

The ECA (Cantonal Establishment of Insurance) is informed of your presence in the canton by the Residents’ Registration Office of your commune of residence, for the time of a visit, when you arrive in the commune or when you move out of the commune. The weeks following your registration to the commune, you will receive a letter from the ECA, in order that you insure your household contents and personal property (furniture, clothing, electronic devices, equipment etc.) against fire (fire, explosions, smoke, etc.) and natural disasters (flooding, hail, hurricanes : violent windstorms, etc.). This insurance is compulsory for all residents of the canton (article 27 of the law concerning building insurance and personal property insurance against fire and natural disasters - LAIEN).

Your regional agency is at your disposal for any information.

Household insurance

This insurance covers water damage, broken glass and theft (including theft occurring outside the home) in your apartment or a neighbour’s flat (for water damage only).

• This insuranceis not mandatory but almost always required by rental agencies and student halls when renting an accomodation.
• This insurance is inexpensive and offers good protection.
• This insurance is often included in student halls’ contracts.
• Such a contract can be cancelled in writing by giving 3 months’ notice before the end date.

In principle, all persons resident in Switzerland must pay the radio and television licence fee. The fee is payable per household. However, there are certain exemptions.

The licence fee is your financial contribution to the daily production of radio, TV and web programmes by all public service broadcasters in Switzerland. It is the annual bill you receive from SERAFE.

For more information, please visit Serafe's website and the Federal Government website.

Upon your arrival in the canton of Vaud, you must report your arrival to the Contrôle des habitants et Bureau des étrangers in the administrative district where you are living, in person, within 14 days. You can submit an application for a residence permit at the same time, by bringing at least two passport-size photos and your passport or identity card with you.

There are fees for these procedures, of between CHF 15 and CHF 30, depending on the district, for the registration fee and CHF 65 for the residence permit fee.

Students staying temporarily in Switzerland for study purposes are subject to a residence tax of between CHF 30 and CHF 37 per month. Exemptions may be possible, but the conditions for exemption vary depending on the district in which you live.

You will find more information on residence taxes for international students on the international website.

Dispute with landloard

In the event of a dispute with your landlord, there are a number of organisations you can contact for advice: