Arrival Procedures

Have you moved to Lugano?

All Swiss and foreign nationals who move their domicile or residence to the Municipality of Lugano for a long-term stay must register within 8 days of arrival.

Required documents:

• A valid passport or identity card
• Rental contract
• If staying with third parties: authorization from the dwelling's administration/owner, countersigned by the holder, and any written confirmation from the roommate
• For foreign nationals: residence/settlement permit. If not yet available, a “substitute declaration of the pending permit” issued by the Migration Office is required, or alternatively, a copy of the permit application submitted to the Migration Office (confirming that the procedure has started)
• In case of separate domiciles of parents with joint parental authority: declaration regarding the place of residence of minors
   

Additional documents to be provided:

• Swiss LAMal health insurance policy, or any exemption issued by the competent cantonal authority (to be provided as soon as available)
• Original certificate of origin for adult Swiss citizens coming from another canton or from abroad
• If already in your possession, documents proving marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificate, divorce or separation judgment)
   

Who should you contact to register your arrival?

The arrival registration procedure must be carried out in person (or by a third party with a power of attorney) at the Puntocittà counters. For families, it is sufficient for one adult member to appear.

Are you a foreign national?

Foreign nationals must also notify any address changes to the Migration Office.

Do you have children who go to school?

Regarding enrollment in kindergarten (children starting at age 3) and primary school, please contact the School Institute ([email protected] or 058 866 9000).

Citizens who temporarily stay in the Municipality of Lugano during the week for a specific purpose, without the intention of permanently settling there and while keeping their domicile in another municipality, must register within 8 days of arrival.

As a rule, the period of stay is limited to a maximum of one year. After this deadline, the possibility of authorizing a new period of stay is reassessed if the conditions are still met.

Required documents:

• Passport or identity card
• Rental contract
• If staying with third parties: authorization from the dwelling’s administration/owner, countersigned by the holder, and any written confirmation from the roommate
• Certificate of domicile/primary residence for the stay, issued by your municipality of domicile
   

The arrival notification procedure must be carried out in person (or by a third party with a power of attorney) at the Puntocittà counters. For families, it is sufficient for one adult member to appear.

Citizens who hold a secondary residence in the Municipality of Lugano exclusively for tourism and vacation purposes, for a short period of residence not exceeding three months within a six-month period, must register within 8 days of arrival.

Required documents:

• Passport or identity card
• Rental contract
• If staying with third parties: authorization from the dwelling’s administration/owner, countersigned by the holder, and any written confirmation from the roommate
• Certificate of domicile/residence issued by your municipality of domicile/residence
• In the case of separate domiciles of parents with joint parental authority: declaration concerning the place of residence of minors

The arrival notification procedure must be carried out in person (or by a third party with a power of attorney) at the Puntocittà counters. For families, it is sufficient for one adult member to appear.

It is necessary to fill in the form below, attaching a copy of a valid identity document of the owner and a copy of the dog’s passport with any customs stamp (if coming from abroad).

The form must be returned to Puntocittà within 10 days of taking possession of the dog.

People residing in Lugano can apply for subsidies for Arcobaleno public transport passes.

Choose from the available subsidies for the zones:

• Young people under 20: 50% subsidy for zones 10, 11, 12
   
• Students under 27: 50% subsidy for zones 10, 11, 12
   
• Women over 64: 50% subsidy for zones 10, 11, 12
   
• Men over 65: 50% subsidy for zones 10, 11, 12
   
• Young people aged 20-25 (non-students): 50% subsidy on the cost difference between zone 11 and 10 or 11+12 and 10
   
• Adults: 50% subsidy on the cost difference between zone 11 and 10 or 11+12 and 10
   

The subsidy is not cumulative with other benefits.

Required documents:

• Identity document
• If you are a student: proof of enrollment
• For new subscribers: a passport-sized photo

To apply for the subsidy, you must go to the AutoPostale, SBB, or TPL sales points.

To receive the subsidy, it is necessary to visit one of the sales points of these three transport companies, even in the case of a subscription renewal.

It is possible to purchase Municipal Saver Day Passes for public transport starting from 6 months before up to the day prior to the travel date. The pass allows you to travel throughout Switzerland using public transport.

The Municipal Saver Day Passes sold in Lugano are reserved exclusively for citizens domiciled in Lugano (Swiss citizens or foreign nationals holding a B or C permit).

It is possible to purchase the passes exclusively online.

Finally, to pick up the pass booked online, you must appear in person with a valid identity document at one of the two Puntocittà counters:

• Puntocittà Lugano Centro, via della Posta 8, Lugano
• Puntocittà Pregassona, via Sala 13, Pregassona

It is possible to request a permit that entitles you to park your vehicle at a reduced rate and for an indefinite period in the Motta, Balestra, LAC, Piazza Castello, Sonvico parking garages, as well as in the Conza parking lot.

Required documents:

• A copy of the vehicle registration for which you intend to request the permit
• Proof of lack of alternatives (a declaration from the owner or the administration of the residential property)
• Authorization if the vehicle is registered in someone else’s name (if applicable)
• An excerpt from the commercial register (for companies or entities)

The application must be made by filling out the form below, which must be sent to the Administrative Section of the Lugano City Police.

It is possible to request a permit that allows you to park your vehicle at a reduced rate and for an indefinite period in the following City car parks:

• Cornaredo - Stadio Ovest car park
• Piazza Chiattone
• Ruvigliana car park
• Via San Carlo car park
• Pian Casoro - Barbengo

Required documents:

• A copy of the vehicle registration for which you wish to request the permit
• Proof of lack of alternatives (a declaration from the owner or the administration of the residential property)
• Authorization if the vehicle is registered in someone else’s name (if applicable)
• An excerpt from the commercial register (if a company or entity)

The application must be made by filling out the form below, which must be sent to the Administrative Section of the Lugano City Police.