Housing, leisure, mobility
Are you looking for a place to live? Are you moving house? Do you need a Swiss driver’s license? What offers are there for recreation and leisure? On this page you can find out more information on these topics.
I have just moved to the City of Bern. Where can I register?
If you are a new resident in the City of Bern, you must register with the Einwohnerdiensten, Migration und Fremdenpolizei (DE).
Where can I look for a place to live?
- The brochure «Living in Switzerland» has more information in many languages about renting a place to live.
- Online apartment and house listings can be found on websites like
Immobilien Stadt Bern
comparis.ch
immoscout24.ch
tutti.ch
What insurance(s) do I need for my apartment or house?
The Canton of Bern has more information about personal liability insruance insurances at Hallo-bern.ch.
What are my rights and obligations as a tenant?
- The Canton of Bern has more information on this topic at Hallo-bern.ch, including information about rental contracts and your rights and obligations as a tenant.
- The Canton of Bern Schlichtungsbehörden (arbitration authorities) offer free legal advice on issues related to renting a place to live (DE, FR).
Where do I dispose of my waste and recycling?
The City of Bern has more information about what can be disposed of at different waste and recycling centres (DE).
How do I air my apartment properly?
The City of Bern's Gesundheitsdienst (health services) have more information on this topic (DE).
I still have questions about housing. Where can I find more information?
- The «Hello Neighbour!» project provides information on the general rules of living in many languages. You can find out more information on the City of Bern's website (DE).
- The Canton of Bern has more information on this topic at Hallo-Bern.ch, including information on housing, fees for radio and television (SERAFE bills) and waste disposal.
- If you still have questions on this topic, you can contact the City of Bern's Fachstelle für Migrations- und Rassismusfragen for advice.
How does public transport work?
- The BernMobil website has more information about public transport timetables in the City of Bern.
- The LIBERO network offers point-to-point tickets, season tickets and day passes within the Canton of Bern. (DE, FR)
- The SBB website has general information about point-to-point tickets, season tickets, as well as national and international timetables.
How long can I keep my foreign driver's license?
If you have a driving license from another country, it is only valid for the first 12 months you are in Switzerland. You can find out more information on the Canton of Bern's Strassenverkehrsamt (road traffic office) website (DE, FR).
Where can I exchange my foreign driver's license?
If you want to exchange your foreign driving license, you must bring an application and the necessary accompanying documents in person.
- at the Canton of Bern's Strassenverkehrsamt (road traffic office)
The Canton of Bern has more information on this topic at Hallo-bern.ch.
Where can find out more information about recreation and leisure activities in the city?
- Bern is a small and lively city. You can find more information about its parks, markets, playgrounds, recreational and sports activities and other events (including free or low-cost offers) on the City of Bern's website (DE).
- People with limited means can receive a KulturLegi (DE, FR). With the KulturLegi, you benefit from discounts of 30 percent or more on many cultural, sports, leisure and educational activities (including language courses) in the canton of Bern and throughout Switzerland.