Random tips
Small things nobody explains when you arrive, and that are easy to get wrong.
Use the official blue waste bags
In the city of Bern, household waste may only go in the official fee bags (blue). They are sold by retailers in rolls: 17 litres CHF 7.05 (10 bags), 35 litres CHF 14.05 (10), 60 litres CHF 24.00 (10), 110 litres CHF 22.00 (5). Bags from other towns or black bags are not accepted.
City of Bern: waste bags →
Look up your collection day
Collection days depend on your address. Enter yours on the city page to see when waste and paper are picked up, and put things out only in the allowed time window.
Collection dates →
New in Bern? Meet one person
Other newcomers in Bern are already meeting and making new friends.
Meet someone for coffeePaper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard are collected separately. Many areas have free containers (break boxes down, do not fold them in). Without a container, tie clean paper and flat cardboard with string, max 25 kg per bundle. Paper in bags or bundles tied with tape is not taken.
Paper and cardboard rules →
Glass and cans go to collection points
Glass, cans, aluminium and small metal go to the neighbourhood collection points, open Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 20:00. Not on Sundays, public holidays or at night, and never next to the containers (that can mean a fine).
Find a collection point →
Serafe: the household fee
Every private household pays the radio and TV fee (Serafe), even without a TV. It is currently CHF 335 per year for a private household and is set to drop to CHF 312 from 1 January 2027. If the invoice shows a wrong address or wrong household members, tell the residents registration office of your municipality.
serafe.ch →
Register within 14 days
When you move to Bern you generally have to register within 14 days. Swiss citizens and many EU/EFTA newcomers can do it online; people from third countries send the form with the required documents. Contact: Einwohnerdienste, Predigergasse 5, +41 31 321 53 00.
City of Bern: moving here →
House rules and laundry
Quiet hours, laundry schedule and similar rules are usually in your house rules (Hausordnung) and rental contract. Read them on day one and, when unsure, ask your neighbours or the property management. Specific quiet-hour times vary, so we do not list one number here.