Hello there,

I'll be moving to Geneva soon for an internship and it's likely that I will sublet an apartment during my 6 months stay.

Question: how can I register to the local authorities??

(As I'll be working at an international organisation health insurance is required. Provided I'm a EU citizen and an intern, I'd be eligible for an exemption in Swiss health insurance, however, in order to obtain it I would have to go to the cantonal authorities).

Furthermore, in case I decided to register anyway faking being a friend of the person who sublets, how risky that could be? (I don't remotely know the person, except for the fact with both agreed on the subletting).

Thanks a lot.

Subletting isn't illegal. I don't understand why people get all freaked out over it. Best case, you do need to have permission & you need contract to protect you and the sub-letter.

Then.... Register with that address as being where you live. Simples.

Good luck!

Apologies, I'd be sub-renting a place. The person who re-sublets (I assume) told me she has been denied the right to do so and therefore I wouldn't have a contract nor would I be able to say I live there paying rent (I could only say I'm a friend when I go and register to the local authority, hence my hesitation).

Does this make any sense?!?

Thanks again

I never mentioned a flat no, or was asked to show a lease. The registration is not with the landlord in any case.

i was asked to show a lease. and when my gf came to register they threw up a big fuss saying it was not possible for 2 people to live in a 1-bed flat cos it was too small

In ZH they don't care, I have never showed a lease & sublet three times without permission or a contract.

The landlord is obliged to inform the city whom is living in his property. The letting agency can take over this responsibility.

There are lots of scams in Swiss cities, especialy in Geneva. There is no reason why this person cannot give you a simple contract, with her name and address on it. You can check her ID and then sign the contract.

If you pay her money without a contract, she can simply call the police and have you thrown out.

My advice to you is: do not give anyone rental money without seeing the room, holding the keys, and having the the contract in your hand!

Then you can easily register with Geneva.

Thank you all - very helpful.

Resolved snuggles around health insurance (I won't need one).

In the event of registration it shouldn't be a problem anyways (they shouldn't be as picky as I was afraid of with the address etc).

Yes, very wise to have a piece of paper just in case Ittigen.

Cheers

Is she the original tenant? If so they can not deny her the right to sublet. If she is not the original tenant and has been denied you should still have a contract between the two of you. You need to agree between you what happens otherwise what stops her from taking your money & kicking you out or you not paying, etc.

The authorities normally don't ask for the contract anyway. That's where you live. It has nothing to do with them what your living arrangements are.

Again, it's not illegal so you have no reason to not state that is were you live. Because... umm... that IS where you live.

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No, it makes no sense. Don't do it.

I can assure you they do care. If you get found out, that is.

A quick survey around the office suggests everyone in ZH has had to provide copy of their lease when first registering but not when changing KBs. Interesting in itself.

Since you mention you will be working for an international org, I assume you will be getting a carte de legitimation, instead of a L or B permit.

In this case you dont need to "register" with the local authorities, and the Swiss authorities will know of your address only via the information you provide to international org, and you wont be asked to show the lease.

Your real problem is being asked to vacate the place in a hurry, in case the landlord finds out, and having to find a place to stay at short notice in geneva.

Not really. Tenant, or should I say the person living in the apartment, is in a stronger position. They can't turn you out from one day to the next. I can take a very long time to evict.