Relocating to Lugano with children
What families ask before a move to Ticino, whether from abroad or from just across the border in Como and Varese. The facts on this page come from official Swiss and cantonal sources, each one linked.
Discover Lugano: Your family's new home
Nested between the pristine waters of Lake Lugano and soaring Alpine peaks, Lugano offers an extraordinary quality of life where Mediterranean charm meets Swiss precision and safety. As Switzerland’s premier Italian-speaking city, it boasts over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year for ideal lakeside living.
Home to a vibrant community representing over 140 nationalities, Lugano is seamlessly connected to Europe’s top hubs (just an hour from Milan and easily accessible via Malpensa and Zurich airports), offering families a truly global perspective and a safe, welcoming environment for children to thrive.
Before you move
Settling into school life
We ensure a tailored approach to support students to integrate socially and into their new school life with ease.
Multilingual advantage
Immersion in an Italian-speaking environment gives students natural exposure to a new language while maintaining English-Medium academic excellence.
Exceptional quality of life
High safety standards, reliable transit, world-class healthcare, and immediate access to nature make Lugano an ideal environment for families.
Navigating Residency & Permits
Relocating to Ticino requires obtaining the appropriate Swiss residence permit. The process is well-structured and managed directly by local and federal authorities. Requirements vary depending on whether you hold an EU/EFTA passport or are relocating from a non-EU country:
- EU/EFTA Citizens: Generally benefit from simplified entry procedures under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Learn more on the Official Swiss EU/EFTA Permit Portal.
- Non-EU/EFTA Citizens: Subject to specific quota regulations, pre-approved contracts, or immigration criteria. Detailed steps are outlined on the Official Swiss Non-EU/EFTA Permit Portal.
For local canton-specific guidelines and municipality registration, please visit the official federal platform ch.ch Foreign Nationals Guide or contact the Canton Ticino Migration Office (Ufficio della migrazione).
Schooling in Canton Ticino at a Glance
Education in Switzerland is regulated at the cantonal level, offering exceptional state-funded public options alongside world-class international private schools.
- Public School Structure: 11 compulsory years taught in Italian, divided into Kindergarten (4–6), Primary (6–11), and Middle School (11–15). Placement in public schools is determined by your neighborhood address (comune).
- Private & International Options: Families seeking international curricula (such as IB or A-Levels) or English-medium instruction often choose independent international schools in the Lugano area.
For official details on public school enrollment, canton regulations, and curriculum frameworks, explore the Swiss Confederation Schooling Guide or visit the Canton Ticino Divisione della scuola Portal.
Talk to us before you move
A conversation with our admissions team early in your planning saves time later. We can tell you what a start at ISS involves and what to prepare before you arrive.
Details and questions
Arriving: what the city asks of new residents
New residents register with the city. The City of Lugano publishes an arrival guide through its Puntocittà service that walks through the procedures in order: registration, permits, health insurance, which is compulsory in Switzerland and must be taken out within three months of arrival, and vehicle matters.
A practical order for families: secure the permit through the employer, choose the school, then choose where to live, because the school run shapes daily life more than the commute to work. Lugano's neighbourhoods and the surrounding villages differ widely in price, character and travel time.
Questions families ask about moving here
Do we need to speak Italian to live in Lugano?
Italian is the language of daily life, of the authorities and of public schools. Many people in Lugano also speak English or German, and the city counts more than 140 nationalities, so newcomers manage. Learning Italian makes everything from the doctor to the neighbours easier, and children pick it up fastest of all.
Which airport do families use?
Milan Malpensa for most intercontinental and European flights, about an hour and a half from Lugano by direct train. Zurich Airport is an alternative, just over two hours by train.
Can we live in Italy and send our child to school in Lugano?
Yes. Como and Varese lie just across the border, connected to Lugano by the A2 motorway and the Milan to Chiasso railway line. The directions page describes the routes to the campus.
When does the school year begin?
The 2026/27 school year at ISS began on Monday 31 August 2026 and ends on Wednesday 16 June 2027. The full list of holidays is on the calendar page.
Sources
- City of Lugano, Welcome to Lugano: nationalities, sunshine, travel times, arrival procedures
- State Secretariat for Migration, EU/EFTA citizens: living and working in Switzerland
- State Secretariat for Migration, non-EU/EFTA nationals
- ch.ch, foreign nationals in Switzerland
- Canton Ticino, Ufficio della migrazione (in Italian)
- ch.ch, school and kindergarten
- Canton Ticino, structure of compulsory schooling (in Italian)
- Canton Ticino, school law LSISE, Art. 47: school of the comune of residence (in Italian)
- Canton Ticino, Divisione della scuola (in Italian)
- Federal Office of Public Health, requirement to obtain health insurance: the three-month deadline
- Trainline, journey times Lugano to Malpensa and to Zurich Airport
Checked on 23 October 2026. Official rules change; the linked pages are authoritative.