Pre-arrival formalities
If you are an existing User, COAS or VISC from outside the EU/Schengen and are currently registered with an average presence at CERN of 50% or less and are visiting CERN with the intention of taking up residence in the Local Area (increase of average presence to 55% or more), you must complete the formalities below:
1. Obtain the necessary documents
Invitation Letter (to be requested from your Experiment Secretariat / Group Secretariat)
Long-stay type D visa > cf. Visa requirements and procedure for France and Switzerland.
N.B.: holders of a residence permit issued by one of the Schengen states are entitled to stay for a maximum of 90 days in (an)other Schengen state(s) in any 180 day-period. Exception for those taking up employment and residence in Switzerland (Guidelines amended on 1st September): Third Country nationals, holders of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen State, are now exempt from the visa requirement to take up employment and family reunification. The same rule applies to those who hold a valid D visa issued by a Schengen State.
2. Submit the necessary EDH documents
Contract Amendment for Users, COAS and VISCs
3. Organize your health insurance and social security
Health Insurance: all Users, Cooperation Associates (COAS) and Visiting Scientists (VISCs) specifically and all Associated Members of the Personnel (MPAs) in general must have health and accident insurance (including protection against occupational illnesses and occupational accidents) providing adequate cover in Switzerland and France, as well as in any countries visited on duty travel. Additionally, any accompanying family members must also have health and accident insurance providing adequate cover in Switzerland and France. If, for any reason, the home institution is unable to provide the MPA with such health and accident insurance, it must be obtained by the MPA.
4. Organize your relocation
Importation formalities (vehicles, furniture, etc.)
Pre-travel information
In addition to completing the necessary pre-arrival formalities, you need to find out about the following:
1. Cost of living and adequate financial resources
To inform your choice of place of residence, carefully look into the cost of living in France and Switzerland as prices vary significantly from one country to the other.
Pay particular attention to the adequate financial resources for Switzerland.
N.B.: a D visa for Switzerland only entitles you to take up residence in Switzerland, not France.
2. Life in the Local Area
Childcare, education, taxes, etc.
3. Important cultural notes
Head coverings (including when worn for cultural and religious reasons) are not authorised in official French ID documents, including in the mandatory special residence permit issued to CERN Associated Members of the Personnel taking up residence in the CERN Local Area. The passport photographs provided upon submission of the application will therefore need to comply with the requirements of the French authorities.
N.B.: head coverings are fully permitted on CERN documentation, such as access cards.
Certified/sworn translations of your personal documents (marriage certificate; birth certificate; CV; etc.) into French may be required by the local authorities or other private parties to complete official or personal formalities. As the cost of certified/sworn translations may be higher in France and Switzerland than in your home country, we advise you to get your documents officially translated before travelling.
