Living in Switzerland
The Confederation, the cantons and the municipalities of Switzerland have created the website ch.ch, that contains extensive information about living in Switzerland, covering topics ranging from waste disposal to supplementary health insurance.
On the homepage of the Federal Office for Housing (BWO) , you can download a "Living in Switzerland" leaflet that is available in 17 languages. The leaflet provides basic information about renting apartments, and it briefly and concisely outlines the most important rules and rights in the rental housing sector. In addition, key terms such as "Mietkautionskonto" (rental deposit bank account) are explained.
Residency Permit in Switzerland
As regulations often change, it is advisable to check with Human Resources.
All the documents required to register with a Swiss municipality must be originals and must also be submitted in a German-language version.
Foreign documents not in German must have a certified translation, although documentation in English is generally accepted without a translation.
The documents required for registration depend on nationality and may vary from canton to canton.
Migration Office Canton of St. Gallen
For more detailed information please contact your HR Specialist.
After the correct documentation has been submitted, a B permit is generally issued.
The residency permit (B permit) is valid as long as the passport is valid, but for a maximum of 5 years. By contrast, all third-country nationals must initially extend their B permit every year. Normally, in plenty of time before the end of the year, a reminder is automatically sent out by your municipality of residence. Your HR Specialist will be happy to assist you in this regard.
If, contrary to expectations, you do not receive this request, we advise that you do not delay in contacting the municipality of residence before the end of the one-year period.
Important for business travelers: Prior to departure, check the expiry date of your permit so that easy re-entry can be guaranteed.
Integration agreement for spouses of Hilti employees from third countries
People from third countries (i.e. not EU/EFTA) who enter Switzerland to join their family are granted a residency permit on the condition that they sign an integration agreement.
The focus is on acquiring proficiency in the German language. The integration agreement includes the obligation to regularly attend the agreed German classes. The aim is to achieve language level A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Further information can be obtained directly from the Migration Office.

Handover of the apartment and keys
For moving into and out of an apartment, you should draw up an accurate handover report with the owner/landlord, both when you take over and leave the apartment and receive and hand over the keys. This report documents the current state of the apartment. It also lists any damage as well as any repair work still to be carried out, and puts this in writing.
When you move out, you are not liable for normal wear and tear of the apartment and its equipment. But you are liable for deliberately-caused damage, lost items or excessive wear. If the owner/landlord demands of you that the apartment be renovated or repaired, they must provide proof that the apartment rooms were in perfect condition when your rental contract began.
Termination and moving out early
Often, it is agreed that termination is not possible during the rental agreement’s first year. Otherwise, the legal period of notice for termination of accommodation is three months. Notice of termination is either possible at the end of any month or may only be possible at fixed dates (usually only at the end of a quarter, with the exception of December 31). Further information can be found in your rental agreement.
If you want to move out outside of the contractual deadlines, you should note the following: Give notice of termination by registered mail and inform the owner/landlord that you are moving out prematurely.
Fundamentally, you are liable for all commitments entered into in the rental contract (especially the payment of rent) until the first possible date of termination stipulated in the contract. You can get around this by offering the owner/landlord potential new tenants. If you get at least three separate people to confirm in writing that they are willing to take over the apartment on the date you move out, that should, as a rule, be sufficient for the owner/landlord. Send originals to the owner/landlord by registered mail and keep copies.