Relocation and settling-in services in Switzerland

A permit makes the move possible. Settling in makes it work. The first months bring a run of deadlines, forms and decisions, many of them in a language you may not yet speak, at a time when you would rather be finding your way around your new home. Our settling-in service takes that load off you and makes sure nothing important slips.

What this service covers

We coordinate the practical side of your arrival, from the week you land to the end of your first year:

• orientation visits: time on the ground to see communes, neighbourhoods and schools before you decide, coordinated with trusted local partners
• home search coordination: briefing agents, organising viewings and keeping the shortlist moving; the choice, and any lease or purchase, stays yours
• registration with your commune and collection of your permit card
• removals and customs: coordinating licensed movers and the customs formalities for household goods, cars and collections
• pets: the veterinary and import steps for bringing your animals with you
• schools: an admissions timeline, shortlisting, visits and help with applications; admission decisions remain with each school
• health and accident insurance for each family member
• banking: introductions to banks used to onboarding new residents; opening an account remains the bank's decision
• cars and driving licences: vehicle registration and the licence exchange
• social security: registering with the AHV/AVS compensation office as a non-employed resident
• household staff: onboarding domestic staff with specialist payroll and employment-law partners
• everyday set-up: utilities, telecoms, waste and parking permits, and the local habits nobody writes down

Who it is for

Families and individuals who have secured, or are about to secure, a Swiss residence permit and want one person to organise their arrival. It suits people relocating from far away, those arriving with children of school age, and anyone moving cars, art, wine or a full household across a border.

For HR and mobility teams

Our focus is private clients who move without a Swiss employer. When a move is an employed transfer, the work permit and payroll are handled by specialist immigration and employer-side partners, and we can look after the family's private side alongside them: home, schools, insurance and settling in.

How we work

1. Pre-arrival plan. We build a timeline around your moving date, with each deadline marked and each document listed.
2. Registration. Non-employed people staying longer than three months register with the commune within 14 days of entry. We prepare the file and can accompany you.
3. Health cover. Basic health insurance is compulsory. You must join within three months of registering. If you are on time, cover is backdated to your registration date. If you are late, it starts only from the day you join. We compare insurers and top-up options with you.
4. Customs. Household goods and motor vehicles enter duty-free as relocation goods if you move your domicile here, have used them personally for at least six months, and keep using them. Relocation vehicles are also exempt from the automobile tax. We help prepare the inventory and the customs declaration.
5. Schools. International, bilingual and local schools differ a lot in approach and admissions timing. We help you shortlist, arrange visits and keep track of applications.
6. Social security. Non-employed residents generally pay AHV/AVS contributions. They are based on your wealth plus 20 times your annual pension income, and are owed until the reference age of 65. For married couples, each spouse is assessed on half of the joint wealth and pension income. We help you register and check the first assessment.
7. Driving. A Swiss licence is required once you have lived here for 12 months without a break of more than three months abroad. We remind you in good time and help with the exchange.
8. Check-in at six and twelve months. We review what is done and what is coming up, including anything your tax adviser needs.

What you get

• a personal arrival timeline with every deadline
• one coordinator for authorities, insurers, schools, banks and movers
• documents prepared in the right language and format
• introductions to trusted local providers, chosen for your needs rather than by default
• a calm first year, with fewer surprises

Rules and practice differ between communes and cantons, so we always confirm the local requirements before you act.

Typical questions we solve

• "Our shipment arrives three weeks after us. Does that affect duty-free import?"
• "We spend part of the year abroad. How does that affect our health insurance deadline?"
• "Can our daughter start mid-year at an international school?"
• "I am over 55. What should I look for in supplementary health cover?"
• "We want to employ a housekeeper. Where do we start?"
• "Which of our cars qualify as relocation goods?"

Related reading

• Your first 90 days in Switzerland
• Health insurance for new residents
• International schools in Switzerland
• Geneva or Vaud?
• Retiring in Switzerland

Plan your arrival

The earlier we start, the smoother your first weeks will be. Contact us with your expected moving date and we will outline the next steps.