Moving to a country you have never lived in raises a lot of questions. Which permit applies? Where do you look for a home? What happens when the plane lands? This page explains how relocation help works in Switzerland, and what you can expect once you reach out to us.
What we are, and what we are not
Relocation Swiss is a matching service. We work with the best relocation companies in Switzerland and, depending on your request, we put you in touch with the one that fits your needs.
We do not file your paperwork, search for flats or give personal advice ourselves. The company you are connected with does the practical work, and the authorities decide on permits. Nothing here is a promise of an outcome.
The path in one picture
Step 1: tell us about your move
Everything starts with the request form at the bottom of the page. You share where you live now, where in Switzerland you are heading, who is moving with you, and roughly when. Children, pets and a partner who also works all change the plan, so mention them.
If you are not sure where to begin, a few free tools can help you get your bearings first:
- Which permit do I need? gives a first idea of the route.
- Your relocation calendar shows what tends to come when.
- Build your own moving checklist turns it into a to-do list.
Step 2: we match you with the right company
Relocation companies are not all alike. Some focus on employees who are transferred by an employer, others on families, retirees or students. Some cover Zurich, others Lucerne or Geneva.
We read your request and connect you with a company that works with your kind of move. You can read more about relocation services for people, not just for companies or see what immigration support covers.
Step 3: the first conversation
The company reaches out to talk through your situation. A specialist examines your case, because rules depend on your nationality, your job or income, and the canton where you will live.
One difference matters a lot. Switzerland has two main regimes: citizens of the EU/EFTA, and citizens of third states. The conditions differ, and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) publishes the framework (see the sources below). If you come from the UK, the US, India, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan or elsewhere outside the EU/EFTA, the third-state rules are the ones that apply. Your first conversation is the place to ask how they work for you.
Good questions to bring:
- Which permit route fits my situation, and who files the application?
- What documents should I start collecting at home?
- How does the housing search work for someone who is not yet in the country?
- What can be arranged before I arrive, and what only after?
Step 4: preparing from home
This is the calm part, and it is where good preparation pays off. Typical tasks include:
- Gathering identity documents, work contract or proof of income, and civil status documents
- Checking whether any of them need translation or an official stamp
- Preparing a rental file for the housing search (the rental file check is a handy start)
- Looking at school types if you have children (find the right school type)
- Comparing places to live with the city comparator
If you arrive for a job, the guide for transferred professionals walks through the same path from the employee's side. Moving alone? See moving to Switzerland on your own. For a full picture across months, read a typical relocation timeline.
Step 5: arrival and registration
Once you live in Switzerland, you register with your municipality. The usual rule is that arrival must be announced within 14 days, and the municipality asks for your ID, your residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance. Details can vary by municipality and canton, so check with the local office or ask the company that helps you.
Step 6: your first week
The first days are about getting the basics in place. Basic health insurance is compulsory, and it has to be taken out within three months of moving. If the deadline is met, cover goes back to the date you took up residence. The rest of the early list usually includes a bank account, a transport pass, a phone plan and, for families, school or childcare registration.
If you want help on the ground, settling-in help covers that stage. For a calendar view of the weeks that follow, see the week-by-week arrival checklist and the deadlines of your first months. If you need furnished housing while you look for a long-term home, read about furnished and temporary housing.
A short example
Picture a couple from Singapore with two school-age children. One partner has a Swiss job offer. They send one request in spring, are connected with a company that handles family moves, and have a first conversation within a short time. Over the next weeks they collect documents, shortlist two cities and look at schools. When they land, the municipality registration and the insurance are already on their list, so the first week feels organized instead of rushed. This is an invented example, and every move is different.
What is up to you
We keep the process simple, but a few things stay in your hands: giving accurate information, gathering documents, and making the final decisions about housing, schools and contracts. Authorities decide on permits, and companies carry out the services you agree on with them.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to send a request?
The request form connects you with a relocation company. Any fees for services are agreed between you and that company, so ask about them in your first conversation.
Can you guarantee a permit or a home?
No. Permits are decided by the authorities, and housing depends on the market and on landlords. The role here is to connect you with a company that can guide you through each step.
Which company will I be connected with?
It depends on your request: your destination, your type of move and your timing. We choose the one that fits your needs best.
I am not sure which permit applies. Should I wait?
There is no need to wait. Try the permit finder for a first idea, then send your request. A specialist will look at the details of your case.
What if I am moving with children?
Mention it in your request. Schools, childcare and the choice of area are often the first things families want to settle. The school choice tool is a good start.
Where can I find explanations of Swiss terms?
The glossary explains the words you will meet, and the questions and answers page covers many common worries.