You have a job offer in Switzerland, and a line in the contract says "relocation package". What does it actually cover? The honest answer is that it differs from one employer to the next. This page walks you through the usual building blocks, in the order you meet them, so you can read your own offer with confidence.
A relocation package is not a law or a standard product. It is an agreement between you and the company, and everything in it can be discussed. Think of it as a menu: some employers offer a full set, others a single payment.
The big picture: how a package usually unfolds
Most packages follow the same path as your move. Money and services are attached to each stage, from the first decision to the day the children start school.
Money: allowances and who pays what
The first thing people look for is cash. In practice, a package pays in one of three ways.
- Costs paid directly. The company books and pays the supplier, so you never advance money.
- Reimbursement. You pay, keep receipts, and the company refunds you.
- A fixed amount. You receive a sum and organize everything yourself. This is often called a lump sum, and it suits some people better than others. Our guide on lump sum or managed move shows how to weigh it.
Ask early whether anything is paid back if you leave the company soon after arriving. Many contracts include such a clause, and it is easier to understand before you sign than after.
Permit and paperwork support
Switzerland has two main admission regimes: citizens of EU/EFTA countries (under the free movement agreement) and citizens of third countries, meaning everyone outside the EU/EFTA. Which one applies to you changes the paperwork a great deal. The authorities, not your employer and not this site, decide whether a permit is granted (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM). Many families coming from the United Kingdom, the United States, India or Singapore fall into the third-country group, but your case is looked at individually.
Within a package, "permit support" usually means one or more of the following:
- The employer files the application with the authorities.
- Someone helps you collect and organize documents such as passports, diplomas and civil-status papers.
- Costs linked to the application are paid by the company.
- A specialist reviews your situation, including that of a spouse and children.
For a first orientation, try the permit finder. For a closer look at the topic, see immigration support.
Finding a home
Housing is where packages differ most. Common elements:
- A home-finding trip. A short visit to see neighborhoods, commuting routes and schools.
- Search support. Someone explains the local rental market and helps you prepare a complete application file. Our rental file check shows what landlords usually expect.
- Temporary housing. A furnished apartment while you look for a permanent one. See company-provided housing.
- Lease-signing help. Reading the contract with you and explaining Swiss terms such as the rental deposit.
Not sure which city fits? The city comparator puts them side by side. If Zurich or Lucerne is on your list, there are pages on help in Zurich and help in Lucerne.
Shipping, travel and storage
The physical move is the easiest part to picture. A package may include flights for the family, shipping of household goods, a fixed volume or weight allowance, insurance for the goods in transit, and storage if you arrive before your home is ready. Ask what happens with pets, cars and items that need special paperwork.
Arrival: the first official steps
A few things happen in a fixed order once you land, and a good package covers them.
Registration with your new commune is the first. Arrivals are expected to register within 14 days; sometimes the rule varies slightly by commune or canton, so the local office confirms the details. At the counter you normally present an identity document, your residence or work permit, and proof of health insurance (ch.ch).
Health insurance is the second. Basic health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland and is taken out within three months of the start of residence. When the deadline is met, cover applies from the date residence began; when it is missed, cover starts later and a surcharge can apply (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH). A package may include a session explaining how the system works, the difference between insurers and what a deductible means.
For the exact order of steps, the checklist before you move and the relocation calendar are useful companions.
Settling in
This part is easy to forget when reading an offer, yet it shapes the first months. Look for:
- School and childcare search, including a guide to school types (try the school choice tool).
- Opening a bank account.
- Language lessons for you and your partner.
- A day or half-day of orientation in your new town.
- Support for a partner who wants to work or study.
Example: a couple from Toronto with two children in primary school may value school guidance and partner support more than a larger shipping allowance. A single engineer from Pune may prefer a flexible budget. The best package is the one that matches your household.
Package or full service?
Some employers hand you a budget and leave you to it. Others work with relocation providers who handle the steps for you. If your company is sending you, read if your employer is sending you and the page on posted workers to see which situation you are in.
What to ask before you accept
- Which items are paid directly and which are reimbursed?
- Is there a ceiling for each category?
- What happens to the package if the start date moves?
- Does the package cover your partner and children?
- Is anything repaid if you leave early?
- Who is the contact person on the company side?
If you want to compare your offer with what is typical, the page what is a relocation package, and what should you ask for goes deeper. The overall journey is mapped in the relocation guide, and before you pack is a calm place to begin. To see how we connect you with relocation companies, read how we help or relocation services. When you are ready, the request at the bottom of this page lets you describe your move.
Frequently asked questions
What is a relocation package?
It is a set of benefits an employer offers to cover the cost and effort of moving you to a new country. It can include money, services, or both. The content is agreed in your contract or a separate letter.
Is a relocation package mandatory in Switzerland?
No. Swiss law does not require employers to offer one. It is a matter of negotiation, company policy and how much the company wants to attract you.
What is usually included?
Typically travel, shipping of belongings, temporary housing, a home-finding trip, permit support and some settling-in help. Few packages include everything, so compare the list with your needs.
Who pays for the permit?
It depends on the agreement. Some employers pay the application costs and handle the filing; others ask you to arrange it. Whatever the arrangement, the authorities decide on the permit itself.
Does the package guarantee my permit?
No. The package may pay for support, but only the authorities grant a permit. Outcomes depend on your situation and on the admission rules that apply.
Are EU citizens treated differently?
Yes, in the legal framework. There are two regimes: one for EU/EFTA citizens and one for third-country citizens (SEM). The package may look similar, but the paperwork differs.
I come from the United States. Does that change my package?
The package itself is a matter of agreement with your employer. What changes is the permit route, since US citizens are in the third-country group. Ask your employer how that is handled.
What about my spouse and children?
Ask whether the package covers them explicitly. Travel, schooling help and partner support are often listed separately, and some packages cover only the employee.
Can I get cash instead of services?
Many employers offer a lump sum as an alternative. It gives freedom but also means you organize everything. The lump sum guide explains the trade-offs.
What is a home-finding trip?
A short, paid visit before the move to explore areas, view homes and understand local conditions. It often includes a briefing on rental practices.
Is temporary housing common?
Yes. A furnished place for a limited period helps while you search for a permanent home. How long it is covered varies by employer.
Does the package pay my rent?
Usually not for the long term. Some employers contribute for a limited period or provide a housing allowance. Check the wording and the end date.
Who handles shipping my belongings?
Normally a moving company chosen by you or by your employer. Ask for the allowed volume, what is excluded and how damage is handled.
When do I register in Switzerland?
Arrivals register with their commune within 14 days, though the rule can vary by commune or canton (ch.ch). Bring ID, your permit and proof of health insurance.
Does the package include health insurance?
Rarely in full. Basic health insurance is individual and compulsory for residents, to be taken out within three months of taking up residence (FOPH). Some employers offer an orientation session on the topic.
What happens if I miss the insurance deadline?
If the deadline is respected, cover is retroactive to the start of residence. If not, cover begins later and a surcharge may apply, and the canton can assign an insurer (FOPH).
Are language lessons part of the package?
Sometimes. They are more common in packages for families or for roles in a region where the local language is not English. Ask whether they cover your partner too.
Is school support included?
Some packages include a school search or guidance on school types. The school choice tool is a good way to prepare questions.
Is a relocation package taxable?
Tax treatment depends on the type of benefit, your situation and the canton. A tax specialist can look at your case; this page does not give personal tax advice.
What if I leave the company soon after moving?
Some contracts ask you to repay part of the package. Look for a repayment clause and ask for it to be explained before you sign.
Can I negotiate the package?
Yes, in most cases. Employers often have a budget by category and some flexibility inside it. Be clear about what matters most to your household.
Do I need a relocation company if I have a package?
Not necessarily. Some employers organize everything themselves. Others use outside providers. Depending on the request, we connect you with a relocation company that fits your needs.
What documents should I prepare from abroad?
Passports, civil-status papers for family members, diplomas and employment documents are the usual starting point. The checklist before you move gives a structured list.
Where can I get help comparing offers?
Describe your move in the request at the bottom of the page, and a specialist examines your case. You can also start with the personal checklist tool.