Visas and permits
Learn about the requirements, procedures and deadlines related to visas and residence permits needed to live and study in Lugano.
When you arrive in Lugano, remember to:
The City of Lugano has three public offices called Puntocittà. At each Puntocittà it is possible to get information and carry out a range of administrative formalities.
Within 8 days of your arrival in Lugano you must register at Puntocittà.
The registration procedure for announcing your arrival must be carried out in person (or with a third person with authorisation) at the Puntocittà office.
The City of Lugano has three Puntocittà offices.
Locations, days and opening hours of the offices:
– Puntocittà Lugano Centro
Via della Posta 8
6900 Lugano
t. +41 58 866 60 00
puntocitta@lugano.ch
Mon, Thur and Fri 7.30 a.m.-12.00 noon and 1.30 p.m.-5.00 p.m.
tue and thu 7.30 a.m.-6.00 p.m.
– Puntocittà Pambio-Noranco
Via Pian Scairolo 18a
6915 Lugano Pambio-Noranco
t. +41 58 866 64 60
puntocitta.pambio-noranco@lugano.ch
Mon-Fri 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00
– Puntocittà Pregassona
Via Sala 13
6963 Lugano Pregassona
t. +41 58 866 65 11
puntocitta.pregassona@lugano.ch
Mon-Fri 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00
The telephone switchboards of Puntocittà answer at the following times
Mon-Fri 8.30-11.30 a.m. and 2.00-4.00 p.m.
For the arrival announcement it is important to produce the following documents:
- Passport or valid identity card (original)
- Valid rental contract indicating the date of your stay in the flat (must be signed by all parties). If you are a guest in someone else’s home: Puntocittà requires written confirmation from the landlord (or administration) with confirmation from the person who is hosting you. Also in this case, the start date of the stay in the flat must be indicated. The paper documentation does not need to be provided and can be sent in digital form.
If you do not have these following documents at the time of registration, you will also have to submit them later:
- Health Insurance Certificate or, if you are exempt, the relevant confirmation of exemption to take out health insurance (see Health Insurance page)
If you are a foreign student, a copy of the permit issued by the migration office
If you change your address or even only your flat it is important to notify this. Notifications of change of address and departure can also be made online via the eGov digital office of the City of Lugano
Dog owners must announce their pets to Puntocittà. If you own a dog, you must therefore remember to bring its passport to Puntocittà.
Remember to declare your pet at the border office when you enter Switzerland. Remember that there are breeds subject to restrictions in Ticino, check here.
The City of Lugano also has an online service desk section where you can find useful information on municipal administrative procedures: egov.lugano.ch.
Please note that certificates requested on the online desk site cost 50% less.
The City of Lugano provides a live consultancy service where you will find a digital assistant who can help you with the various municipal administrative procedures.
Contact the digital assistant here
Procedure for applying for a residence permit
All foreign students who intend to stay in Switzerland for more than three months must apply for a residence permit. Foreign students living in the border area who return home daily do not need to apply for a permit. The cost of a residence permit varies according to the nationality of the applicant
UE/AELS Students
Check these steps to apply for a residence permit within 14 days of your arrival in Switzerland:
FIll out the Canton Ticino residence permit application form.
Print the form (not double-sided), sign it and attach the required documents (drafted and/or translated into Italian):
- ID card
- Notification of arrival (automatically generated with the online form)
- Confirmation of admission from the university
- Statement from the university indicating the duration and genre of studies
- Original of European Criminal Record Certificate, or original of Criminal Record Certificate from home country, issued no more than 3 months ago.
Submit the application
Go, following the summons, to the migration office in Lugano to check your documents and for photos to be placed on your residence permit.
The permit must be renewed annually, at least 14 days before it expires.
No-EU/EFTA Students
If you are a non-EU/EFTA student from a country for which a Visa is required for entry into Switzerland, you will have to wait for your application to be approved ((one to four months) before you can transfer.
You will still need to apply for a residence permit within 14 days of your entry into Switzerland by sending the following documents to the Migration Office in Bellinzona:
- Signed entry authorization
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your visa
- Passport photo (3..5×4.5 cm)
- Copy of rental agreement
All documents must be written and/or translated into Italian.
After submitting the application you will be summoned by the Lugano Migration Office for document verification and and biometric data registration.
The permit must be renewed annually, at least 14 days before its expiration.
If you already live in Lugano and
It is mandatory to notify any change of address or relocation to another municipality or canton.
It is mandatory to notify any change in marital status or family composition (such as marriage, birth, adoption, divorce, family reunification).
EU/EFTA students holding a study permit in Switzerland may be allowed to engage in an ancillary activity for a maximum of 15 hours per week and upon authorization from the school management stating that the duration of studies will not be compromised.
For internships provided in the training cycle, there is no limit on the number of hours per week, but the school must attest to their compulsoriness.
In the case of non-EU/EFTA students, the same provisions apply with some exceptions: notification can be sent only after at least 6 months of obtaining a foreigner’s permit.
The activity can start only after obtaining the permit.
Foreign students residing in countries that do not have a border with Switzerland must have Swiss health insurance in order to work.
Students who intend to start an ancillary activity must follow the online procedure through a form before starting gainful employment!
If the application is not submitted on time there is a possibility of receiving a fine.
The residence permit must be renewed annually, at least 14 days before it expires.
Fill out the online form to proceed with the renewal!
Are you leaving Lugano permanently?
Any person who decides to move to another municipality must notify their departure.
Foreigners leaving the canton or Switzerland are also required to notify the Migration Office of their departure.
Who needs to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland?
Citizens from member countries of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association EFTA, (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), do not need to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland. Attention, you must get a residence permit!
For citizens from other countries, the need for a visa depends on nationality. Please check the requirements for travel documents and visas by consulting the Travel Document and Visa Requirements by Nationality. Please note, you need to get a residence permit!
The cost of an adult visa is there about 80 CHF.
The answer to your questions
Citizens from member countries of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association EFTA, (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), do not need to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland.
For citizens from other countries, the need for a visa depends on nationality. Please check the travel document and visa requirements by consulting the Travel Document and Visa Requirements by Nationality.
An adult visa costs 80 CHF.
Within 8 days of your arrival in Lugano you will need to go to the Puntocittà to announce yourself to Population Control.
Within 14 days of your arrival in Switzerland you will need to apply for a residence permit.
Visit the website of the Canton Ticino Population Section to apply for your permit.
- If you are an EU/EFTA student you will need:
ID card - Notification of arrival (automatically generated with the online form)
- Confirmation of admission from the university
Statement from the university stating the duration and genre of studies - Original European Criminal Record Certificate, or original Criminal Record
- Certificate from home country, issued no more than 3 months ago.
If you are a non-EU/EFTA student you will need:
- Signed entry authorization
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- Passport photo (3..5×4.5 cm)
- Copy of rental agreement
Remember that all documents must be written and/or translated into Italian.
