Relocation Switzerland FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from families, professionals and HR teams preparing a move.
Moving to Switzerland raises practical questions long before a moving truck is booked: which permit applies to you, how to compete for an apartment without a Swiss track record, when to register with the commune, and what a relocation service actually does day to day. This page gathers the questions about moving to Switzerland that come up most often in our first conversations with clients, grouped by topic so you can go straight to what matters for your situation. Where a question touches immigration, tax or insurance rules, we describe the general framework rather than giving you a personal ruling, because those decisions depend on your specific file and on rules that are updated regularly. For anything specific to your case, a conversation with one of our consultants is the right next step, and we always coordinate with qualified specialists on tax and insurance matters.
Permits and immigration
Do I need a permit to live and work in Switzerland?
Yes. Every foreign national residing or working in Switzerland needs a residence and, where applicable, a work permit, issued by the cantonal migration authority and confirmed by the federal migration authority. The permit you need depends on your nationality, the length of your stay and the purpose of the move. EU/EFTA citizens follow a lighter, notification-based process, while non-EU nationals face additional conditions tied to the employer and the position offered.
What is the difference between a B, L and C permit?
A B permit is a residence permit typically issued for an initial stay tied to your employment or family situation. An L permit is a short-term permit for assignments or contracts of limited duration. A C permit is a settlement permit obtained after several years of continuous residence, with broader rights and no link to a specific employer. Our dedicated FAQ on permits B, L and C compares the three in more depth.
Are there quotas for non-EU work permits?
Non-EU work permits are subject to an annual quota, allocated between cantons, alongside a requirement to show that no suitable candidate from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA area was available for the role. Quota availability moves through the year and differs by canton, which is one reason early planning and a well-prepared file make a real difference to the outcome.
Can my spouse and children join me on a work permit?
In most cases, yes, through family reunification, though the exact conditions depend on your own permit type, your income and having adequate housing for the household. The family application is separate from your own permit and has its own supporting documents. We structure the family file alongside the main applicant's so both can move forward together rather than in sequence.
What happens to my permit if I change employer?
EU/EFTA permit holders can generally change employer with limited formalities. Non-EU nationals on a permit tied to a specific employer and role usually need approval from the cantonal authority before starting a new position, since the original permit was granted for that job. Renewal conditions also depend on permit type, so checking your situation before resigning is worth the time.
How does permit renewal work as it approaches expiry?
Renewal is not automatic: you typically need to apply before the current permit expires, and the authority reassesses conditions such as continued employment, income and, for longer stays, integration criteria. Deadlines and required documents vary by canton and permit type, so we flag renewal dates for our clients well ahead of time rather than leaving them to be discovered late.
Finding housing
Why is finding an apartment in Switzerland so competitive?
Vacancy rates are low in most Swiss cities, particularly around Geneva, Zurich and Zug, so desirable apartments attract many applications within days of listing. Landlords and property managers, known locally as régies, also expect a complete, well-organised file before considering a candidate, which puts newcomers without a Swiss track record at a disadvantage unless the dossier is prepared properly.
What documents do I need for a rental application?
A typical Swiss rental file includes proof of identity, your employment contract or income statement, a debt collection register extract known as a betreibungsauszug, and often a reference from a previous landlord. Exact requirements vary by canton and by régie. We prepare and format this dossier so it matches what régies in your target area expect to see.
Can I rent an apartment before I have a residence permit?
It depends on the landlord and the canton: some régies accept a signed employment contract as sufficient proof while your permit application is in progress, while others prefer to wait for the permit itself. This is one reason temporary housing is common for the first weeks or months, giving you a base while the permanent search and the permit process move forward in parallel.
What is a rental deposit account and how does it work?
Swiss landlords typically require a security deposit held in a blocked rental deposit account opened in your name at a bank once the lease is signed. The funds stay frozen for the duration of the tenancy and are released once the état des lieux, the move-out inspection, confirms the apartment's condition, except by joint agreement or a legal ruling.
What should I check during an apartment viewing?
Beyond layout and light, check the heating and hot water system, insulation and noise from neighbours or the street, what charges are included versus billed separately, parking or storage, the notice period, and any damage already noted in the previous état des lieux. Bringing a checklist to viewings helps you compare properties consistently when decisions have to be made quickly, as is common in cities like Geneva or Vevey.
Settling in: registration, insurance and banking
What do I need to do right after arriving in Switzerland?
You generally need to register with the commune, the local municipality, within a set period after arrival, and this registration is a prerequisite for several other steps, including opening certain bank accounts and finalising your permit. Alongside registration, arranging health insurance and, where relevant, deregistering from your previous country are the other priorities during the first weeks.
Is health insurance mandatory in Switzerland?
Yes. Basic health insurance under the federal health insurance law is compulsory for everyone residing in Switzerland, regardless of nationality, and you choose your own insurer from those authorised in your canton. Because premiums and deductible options vary and interact with your existing coverage, we recommend confirming your choice with an insurance specialist rather than picking on price alone; our consultants coordinate with qualified specialists on this.
Can I open a Swiss bank account before I arrive?
Some Swiss digital banks allow remote account opening with video identification, while traditional banks generally expect an in-person appointment and proof of address or permit. Which option suits you depends on your banking needs, your permit status at the time, and whether the account is needed for salary payment, a rental deposit, or both.
How does the household media fee work?
Every household in Switzerland is registered automatically for the household radio and television fee once you register with the commune, and a bill is issued regardless of whether you own a television or radio. This surprises many newcomers, so it is worth expecting the invoice rather than being caught off guard by it later.
Do I need to arrange household or liability insurance?
Household contents and personal liability insurance are not legally required in most cantons but are strongly expected by landlords and are standard practice among residents, since liability cover protects you against damage you might accidentally cause to others or to a rented property. We point clients to qualified insurance brokers to compare options suited to their household.
Schools and childcare
How does the Swiss school system work for foreign families?
Public education is organised at the cantonal level and taught in the official language of that canton, French, German or Italian depending on the region, with compulsory schooling starting in early childhood. Public schools are free and often include reception or welcome classes to support children who do not yet speak the local language, easing the transition academically and socially.
Should I choose a public or an international school?
It depends on your expected length of stay, your children's ages and languages, and your career mobility plans. Public school offers strong local integration at no tuition cost, while international schools follow curricula such as the IB or a national syllabus in English or another language, suiting families expecting to relocate again or wanting continuity with a home-country system, in exchange for fees.
How far in advance should I apply to an international school?
International schools in the main Swiss cities, particularly around Geneva and Zurich, can have waiting lists for popular grade levels, so applying as early as possible once your move is confirmed improves your options. Some schools also run their own entrance assessments, which take time to schedule and prepare for.
What childcare options exist for children under school age?
Options range from crèches, meaning daycare centres, to registered childminders, and demand generally exceeds supply in the larger cities, so waiting lists are common. Because of this, we recommend starting the search for childcare as soon as your move is confirmed rather than waiting until after arrival.
Will my child need to catch up on the local language?
Many children adapt through immersion faster than parents expect, and public schools generally support this with dedicated language reception classes. For older children arriving mid-cycle, complementary language courses outside school hours can help bridge the gap during the first year of settling in.
Corporate relocation and HR support
How does relocation support work for companies moving employees to Switzerland?
We work directly with HR and global mobility teams to manage individual moves and group transfers under one coordinated programme, covering immigration, housing, schooling and settling-in for each assignee. A single point of contact on our side means your HR team is not managing several vendors for one employee's move.
Can you handle relocation for a group move or an office opening?
Yes, group moves for a new office opening or a team transfer are one of our services, coordinated so that permits, housing searches and school placements for several families proceed in parallel rather than one after another. Reporting is consolidated so your HR team can track the whole cohort rather than each case individually.
Do you support executive and high-net-worth relocations specifically?
Yes, executive relocation and moves for high-net-worth individuals and families involve additional considerations, from residency options to coordinating with tax and legal advisors, and we adapt the level of discretion and service accordingly. These cases often also involve spouse or partner career support and a bespoke housing search.
Can you provide relocation policy or budget guidance to our HR team?
We advise HR and mobility teams on structuring a relocation policy and on estimating a realistic budget for the profiles being relocated, drawing on patterns we see across mandates rather than generic benchmarks. This helps set expectations with assignees before the move begins and reduces surprises mid-process.
Do you offer intercultural training for relocating employees?
Yes, intercultural training helps employees and their families understand Swiss workplace norms and daily life conventions, which shortens the adjustment period and reduces friction during the first months. It is available for individual executives and for teams moving together as part of a group programme.
Costs, timelines and quotes
How much does relocation support cost?
Cost depends on the scope you need, from a single service such as a housing search to a full programme covering permits, housing, schooling and settling-in for a whole family. Because every situation is different, we do not publish flat prices; instead we prepare a quote once we understand your case. Our guide on how our pricing works sets out the factors involved.
When should I contact a relocation service before moving?
As early as possible, ideally as soon as your contract or transfer is confirmed, since permit applications, school waiting lists and the housing search all take lead time that is easier to manage with an early start than a rushed one. Even a late request is worth making, since we can still prioritise the most time-sensitive steps.
What is included in a full package versus an à la carte service?
A full package typically bundles immigration support, housing search, settling-in formalities and schooling into one coordinated programme with a single contact. À la carte services let you book only what you need, for example the housing search or the permit application alone, which suits people able to handle some steps themselves.
How long does a typical relocation take from first contact to being settled?
Timelines vary with the permit category, family size and the housing market at your destination, so we give a realistic estimate for your specific case rather than a single average figure. What we can say is that the earlier the immigration file starts, the more the rest of the plan can proceed alongside it rather than after it.
Do you offer a free quote before I commit to anything?
Yes, first contact with My Swiss Relocation is always without commitment, and we prepare a quote once we understand the scope of your move. There is no obligation to proceed after that conversation, and no pressure to bundle services you do not actually need.
Working with My Swiss Relocation
Which cities and cantons do you cover?
My Swiss Relocation is active across 26 cantons, with offices in Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich and a presence in cities including Zug, Lucerne, St. Gallen and Basel, as well as smaller destinations such as Schaffhausen and Vevey. Whether your move is to a main hub or a smaller canton, the same team structure and process applies.
Why choose My Swiss Relocation over another provider?
We are an independent family company with more than 35 years of experience and over 10,000 relocation mandates behind us, so we have seen most of the situations a move to Switzerland can present. Professional secrecy applies to every file we handle, and first contact is always without commitment.
Who actually runs My Swiss Relocation?
My Swiss Relocation is a brand of Welcome Service Sàrl, an independent family company founded in 1990, managed today by Laetitia Papilloud and Guillaume Bédat as managing partners. The company has grown from a single-canton practice into a national relocation group while keeping its family ownership.
Is My Swiss Relocation accredited by any professional bodies?
Yes, we hold memberships that reflect recognised standards in the relocation industry, including founding membership of a Swiss relocation agents association and membership of a European relocation association, alongside links to regional chambers of commerce. These affiliations reflect ongoing standards rather than a one-off certification.
How quickly can I expect a reply after my first enquiry?
A consultant replies to every request within 24 hours on business days, Monday to Friday, excluding Swiss public holidays. This applies whether you reach out as an individual planning your own move or as an HR contact scoping a corporate programme.
Is my information kept confidential when I contact you?
Yes, professional secrecy applies to every file we handle, whether the enquiry is a simple question or a full relocation mandate for an executive family. Details you share are used to prepare your quote and support your move, not shared beyond what is needed to deliver the service.
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