Transport, and the driving licence clock

Swiss trains, trams, and buses are one system. Your foreign driving licence, meanwhile, is on a timer from the day you took up residence.

Halbtax (CHF 190 per year) halves every ticket you buy. Pays for itself in about eight decent train trips. GA (CHF 3995 per year, second class) covers every train, tram, bus, and most boats. If you commute inside one city, buy the local Verbund pass instead: ZVV in Zurich, Unireso in Geneva.

You may drive on a valid foreign licence for 12 months from taking up residence. The clock pauses only if you spent more than three consecutive months abroad during that time. Professional categories C and D need the Swiss licence immediately.

There is no theory test for a private car or motorcycle exchange, from any country. EU and EFTA licences plus Great Britain exchange with no test at all. A list of further countries is exempt from the control drive, everyone else does one, and it cannot be repeated.

Budget roughly CHF 100 to 170 all-in for an EU exchange including the eye test. Your EU or EFTA licence is sent back to the issuing authority, so you do not keep it.