Frequently Asked Questions

Your CERN access card is collected at the CERN Reception (Building 33). Bring your passport or national ID and your contract documentation. The Users Office will guide you through the process during your first day. See the CERN Admin e-Guide for details.

Your CERN computing account may take 24-48 hours to become fully active after creation. If it still doesn't work, try resetting your password at account.cern.ch. For persistent issues, contact the CERN Service Desk.

CERN can pay your salary to a bank account in most countries. A local Swiss or French account is useful for paying rent and local bills. Many CERN employees also use multi-currency digital banks like Wise or Revolut.

EDH (Electronic Document Handling) is CERN's system for administrative processes: travel requests, leave applications, expense claims, and more. Access it through the CERN intranet. Your supervisor can help you get started with your first requests.

You have 3 months from registering your French residence to exercise your "droit d'option" — choosing between CHIS only, the French system (CMU/PUMA), or Swiss LAMal. Most CERN employees choose CHIS only. See our Health Insurance guide for full details.

Generally no. The droit d'option choice is normally irreversible as long as your situation stays the same (same employer, same country of residence). A change of circumstances (e.g., moving from France to Switzerland) may allow a new choice.

Submit claims through the CHIS online portal or send paper forms to the CHIS office at CERN. Always keep original receipts and prescriptions. Reimbursement typically covers 80-90% of eligible costs.

Both have advantages. Switzerland (Geneva) is closer to CERN and has excellent public transport but is very expensive. France (Pays de Gex) is much more affordable but may require a car. See our Housing guide for a detailed comparison.

For Geneva public transport (TPG), purchase a Unireso monthly pass at TPG offices or online at tpg.ch. CERN may offer subsidised transport passes — check with HR. Lines 66 and 68 serve CERN directly.

Not if you live in Geneva or close to a bus line serving CERN. If you live in some parts of the Pays de Gex (France), a car is very helpful as public transport options are more limited. CERN also runs internal shuttle buses between its sites.

Yes. If you live in Switzerland, register at your commune's Office de la population. If you live in France, register at the mairie of your town. CERN staff in Switzerland receive a carte de legitimation instead of a standard residence permit.

The carte de legitimation is a special identity document issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to international organisation employees. It replaces a standard residence permit and grants certain privileges, including exemption from Swiss income tax and LAMal.

If you live in France, you must file an annual French tax return even though your CERN salary is exempt from French income tax. You declare your situation and the exemption applies. Other income (rental, investments) may be taxable in France.

Use your CERN credentials (username@cern.ch and your CERN password) to connect to the eduroam network. For the best setup, use the eduroam CAT tool at cat.eduroam.org. The CERN-GUEST network is available as a fallback.

Connect via SSH: ssh username@lxplus.cern.ch. You will need Kerberos authentication or an SSH key configured in your CERN account. See our Kerberos & SSH guide for setup instructions.

ServiceNow is CERN's central platform for IT support tickets, HR requests, facility issues, and general service requests. Access it at cern.service-now.com using your CERN credentials. It replaces the old ticketing system.