If you are searching for a relocation agent in Zurich, you are probably picturing a long list of tasks and a calendar that will not stretch. This page is a starting point. It explains what kind of help exists, which parts you can prepare from home, and how the matching step works on this site.
We do not carry out the move ourselves. The site connects you with a relocation company in Switzerland that fits your request. That company then works with you directly.
What "relocation help" usually covers in Zurich
Zurich is the largest city in the canton of the same name. In 2025 its permanent resident population was 440,935 people, of whom 150,726 were foreign nationals, or 34.2% (FSO). So newcomers are common here, and the local services around them are well used to international arrivals.
Relocation help is normally a menu, not one product. Typical parts include:
- Immigration support: understanding which permit route applies and which papers the cantonal migration office (Migrationsamt) expects. See immigration support.
- Home search: finding and applying for a rental, often before you have ever visited. See home search.
- School search: matching a child's age, language and school year with local options. See school search.
- Orientation visit: a short trip to see areas, commutes and schools in person. See orientation visit.
- Settling in: registration with the commune, bank, insurance and daily routines. See settling-in help.
For a wider view of the field, read what a relocation agent actually does.
What you can do on your own
Many people do a good part of the work themselves, and that is a sensible choice when your situation is simple. From home you can:
- Find out which permit route applies with the permit finder.
- Build a timeline with the relocation calendar.
- Put together your own list with the personal checklist.
- Check whether your paperwork looks complete with the rental file check.
- Think through school types with the school choice tool.
Two rules are worth knowing early. Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland (FOPH). And arrival in a commune is normally reported within 14 days, though the exact rule can vary by commune and canton (ch.ch). Your cantonal office will confirm the details that apply.
When a specialist company makes sense
Outside help tends to be worth considering when:
- you are moving with children and need a school and a home in the same area;
- you cannot visit before the move and need someone on the ground;
- an employer is relocating you on a short timeline;
- you are coming from outside the EU/EFTA, where the permit route has more steps;
- you simply prefer one contact to many.
Example: a couple from Singapore with two school-age children wants a home near a school before the term starts. They can handle banking alone but ask for school and home search support. Another example: a single engineer from Manchester, moving for a job, only wants a short orientation visit.
How matching works here
- You tell us about your move. You fill in the request at the bottom of the page: where from, when, who is coming, which help you want.
- Your request is reviewed. We look at what you asked for and the Zurich area involved.
- You are put in touch. Depending on the request, we connect you with the relocation company that fits the need.
- You have a first conversation. You talk through scope and next steps with that company. Nothing is decided for you, and you are free to compare. More on this in how it works.
Questions worth asking any company
- Which exact tasks are included, and which are not?
- Who is my day-to-day contact, and how do we communicate?
- How are fees explained, and when are they due?
- What happens if a permit or a rental takes longer than expected?
- Can I take only one service, such as home search, and not the full package?
For more on judging offers, see how to choose a relocation agency.
Zurich pages to read next
If you are still deciding where to live, try Zurich or Geneva or the city comparator. For the area itself, read arriving in Zurich, international schools around Zurich, from the US to Zurich and from London to Zurich. Thinking about central Switzerland instead? See relocation help in Lucerne. When you are ready, tell us about your move.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a relocation agent in Zurich?
Not always. A simple move with time to prepare can be handled alone. Help is more useful with children, tight timelines or a permit route with several steps.
What does a relocation agent in Zurich do?
It depends on the service chosen. Common parts are immigration support, home search, school search, an orientation visit and settling-in help.
Is this site a relocation agency?
No. It is a matching service. It connects you with a relocation company that fits your request, and that company does the work with you.
Can I choose only one service?
Often yes. Many people ask for one part, such as home search, and handle the rest themselves. Tell the company what you want when you speak.
Who decides whether I get a permit?
The authorities do. In Switzerland the cantonal migration office and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) decide. A company can explain the steps but cannot decide for them.
Is the help different for EU/EFTA and non-EU citizens?
Yes. There are two regimes: EU/EFTA citizens and citizens of other countries (SEM). The documents and steps differ, so say which one applies when you apply.
Can I get help before I have visited Zurich?
Yes. Many requests come from people abroad. An orientation visit can then be arranged later, once your plans are clearer.
When does health insurance start?
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence (FOPH). If that period is met, cover is backdated to the date residence began.
How soon is arrival reported to the commune?
Reporting is normally due within 14 days of arrival, though this can vary by commune and canton (ch.ch). The commune can confirm the exact rule.
Can schools be part of the help?
Yes. School search is a separate service. International schools exist around Zurich, and the school choice tool helps you think about school types first.
Does the request cost anything?
The request on this site is a way to be matched. Any fees belong to the company you speak with, so ask them to explain what is included.
Will I be told which company to hire?
No. You are connected with a company that fits your request, and you decide whether to go ahead after the first conversation.