Quick Guides

The first port of call after moving is the residents' registration office in your municipality. There you can register and obtain important information about living in the area. Many municipalities invite new residents to a welcome party. This is a relaxed opportunity to get to know the municipality, the authorities, and other newcomers.

Those who have moved from abroad are also invited to a welcome meeting at the Mintegra Foundation. This specialist agency offers support on topics such as work, social insurance, language, and integration. These meetings take place in Buchs for all municipalities in Werdenberg and in Sargans for all municipalities in the Sarganserland region. This helps you quickly find your feet and feel welcome in your new surroundings.

Full freedom of movement applies to citizens of EU/EFTA countries. This means that they are permitted to enter Switzerland, live and work here. Different regulations apply to family reunification depending on the country of origin. Anyone who has an EU/EFTA residence permit in Switzerland may, regardless of their residence status, bring their spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents to Switzerland, provided that they are responsible for their livelihood. Persons who come from a third country (countries that do not belong to the EU and/or the Schengen area) and have a Swiss residence permit (C permit) may, under certain conditions, bring their spouse and minor children to join them. Detailed information is available from the cantonal migration office.

In addition to direct federal tax, income and wealth taxes must be paid in the municipality of residence. The tax calculator can be used to calculate the tax burden for each municipality in St. Gallen. Information is also available from the tax office of the municipality of residence.

The crime rate in the canton of St. Gallen is low compared to the rest of Switzerland – a sign of the high quality of life and stability in the region. The police are visible, quickly accessible, and enjoy a high level of trust among the population. Preventive measures such as campaigns and projects against violence and addiction promote a safe and trusting living environment.

Enrolling in a new school or changing schools in the middle of the school year is possible in exceptional cases, such as moving house or relocating. Registration takes place at the school administration office in the municipality of residence. Compulsory schooling begins on the child's 4th birthday. Compulsory schooling in Switzerland lasts 11 years. The school year begins in August.

Children and young people with a migrant background attend elementary school just like all other children living in Switzerland. Children who do not yet speak or understand German sufficiently when they start school receive targeted language support through supplementary programs such as DaZolino. There are also various integration programs that help foreign families settle into school and community life.

The cost of living in the canton of St. Gallen is below the Swiss average. Rents and everyday expenses in the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region are lower than in urban centers such as Zurich, Basel, or Geneva. However, the cost of living is higher than in neighboring Germany and Austria. On the other hand, employees in the region benefit from significantly higher wages, which generally compensates for the additional costs.

Anyone who has a residence permit in Switzerland can rent an apartment or house without a special permit. For tenants from other cultures, there is an information brochure on the Swiss rental system – available in 18 different languages:

Rent a flat

When buying real estate, EU/EFTA nationals residing in Switzerland have the same rights as Swiss citizens. They do not need a permit to purchase real estate. Persons from third countries (non-EU/EFTA) are subject to special regulations and usually require a permit to purchase real estate. Binding information on purchasing real estate can be obtained from the land registry office of the municipality of residence.

Purchasing property

The Sarganserland-Werdenberg region offers a diverse and well-developed range of educational opportunities at all levels. Both Sarganserland and Werdenberg have a vocational and continuing education center, which offer basic vocational training as well as higher vocational education and continuing education for adults. The Cantonal School in Sargans enables young people from the region to attend grammar school, business school, IT school, or technical college, as well as a school offering the Swiss baccalaureate for adults. The Interstaatliche Hochschule für Technik Buchs (NTB), which has been part of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland (OST) since 2020, is an attractive place to study right in the region. In addition, renowned universities such as the University of St. Gallen (HSG), ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich can be reached in around an hour thanks to the well-developed public transport system. Even closer is the University of Liechtenstein in Vaduz. There is also an International school in Buchs and other private educational opportunities in the neighboring cantons as well as in Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg, which are close to the border.

Absolutely! The Sarganserland-Werdenberg region is very family-friendly and offers a wide range of activities for families with children – from toddlers to teenagers. The municipalities have numerous playgrounds, family activities, and meeting places. There are also great things to do when it rains – for example, the Setzchaschte in Werdenberg, where children and adults alike can get creative and play in a cozy atmosphere.

In various municipalities, family centers with a wide range of activities such as craft sessions, children's hairdressers, and a cozy family café invite you to linger and join in. There's no chance of boredom setting in during the holidays either. The Sarganserland and Buchs holiday fun program offers children and young people a colorful and varied program in the Sarganserland and Werdenberg regions. For young people, there are youth centers, leisure clubs, and various projects organized by the municipalities and associations. Parents receive valuable support from the mother and father counseling service Sarganserland and Werdenberg.