Executive Relocation Lausanne

Discreet, senior-led support for executives and their families moving to Lausanne and the Lake Geneva region.

An executive relocation to Lausanne comes with a shorter timeline than a standard move, a family with specific expectations, and a level of discretion that a company's HR team rarely has the bandwidth to manage alongside everything else. My Swiss Relocation coordinates every practical step of an executive relocation in Lausanne, from the first confidential conversation with the candidate to the day the family is settled into daily life.

Lausanne combines an international business base, EPFL and UNIL, and a compact, walkable centre on Lake Geneva, which makes it an attractive posting for senior hires who want a shorter commute than Geneva often requires. Our Lausanne office works directly with the executive, their partner and their family, keeping the company informed at the level of detail it needs without turning the relocation into an HR project.

Why executive relocations in Lausanne need a different approach

A senior hire relocation to Lausanne is rarely a single move. It is usually a negotiation still in progress, a family weighing schooling options, and a start date that leaves little room for delay. The executive often cannot spend working hours on administrative tasks, and the accompanying partner is frequently the one managing the practical search from abroad.

We treat each executive relocation as a single coordinated file rather than a series of separate requests. One consultant stays the point of contact throughout, which avoids the family having to repeat their situation to different people for housing, schooling and administrative steps.

What we handle for an executive move to Lausanne

Our support covers the parts of the move that take the most time and local knowledge to get right, and that are hardest to manage from outside Switzerland.

Confidential briefing with the executive and, where relevant, their partner, before any search begins
Home finding in Lausanne and the surrounding communes, matched to commute, budget and family needs
Introduction to the international and bilingual school options serving the Lausanne area, and support with applications
Coordination of the legitimation card or residence permit process with the cantonal authorities
Temporary housing for the transition period between arrival and the family's permanent home
Settling-in support: registration with the commune, opening a bank account, connecting utilities, and orientation to the neighbourhood
Intercultural briefing for the executive and family adapting to Swiss and Vaud-specific ways of working and living

When a start date is fixed and the family is still searching for housing and schools from abroad, having one consultant run the whole process removes the pressure from both the executive and the HR team sponsoring the move.

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How the process runs, from mandate to settled family

The relocation is organised as a small number of clear stages, so the executive and the sponsoring company always know what is happening and what comes next.

Typical stages of an executive relocation to Lausanne
Stage	What happens
Confidential kick-off	Briefing call with the executive to confirm needs, timeline, family situation and any constraints on discretion
Housing and schooling search	Shortlisted properties and school options in Lausanne, viewed on the family's behalf or during a coordinated visit
Administrative coordination	Legitimation card or permit steps handled with the cantonal authorities and the employer's HR or immigration contact
Arrival and settling-in	Temporary housing if needed, commune registration, banking, utilities and local orientation
Follow-up	Check-in after the family has settled, to close any open administrative or practical items

A step-by-step view of the move

Each mandate follows the same underlying structure, adjusted to the executive's actual start date and family situation.

Confidential intake call to define the mandate, budget range and timeline
Remote or in-person home finding shortlist in Lausanne and nearby communes
School introductions and application support for accompanying children
Permit and legitimation card coordination with the relevant cantonal office
Arrival support, temporary housing and settling-in through the first weeks in Lausanne

Mistakes that slow down an executive relocation

Most delays in an executive relocation to Lausanne come from timing and coordination gaps rather than from the housing or school market itself.

Starting the school search only after arrival, when places at popular international schools often fill months ahead
Signing a lease before confirming the commute and the school catchment that matters to the family
Assuming the legitimation card or permit process can be finalised before all supporting documents are gathered
Leaving the accompanying partner without a clear point of contact once the executive returns to work
Treating the move as complete once the family has a home, without planning for registration, banking and settling-in tasks that still need to happen

Starting the housing and school search before the final signature on the employment contract, on a confidential basis, is one of the most effective ways to protect the start date.

What's Included

Confidential briefing and single point of contact for the executive and family
Home finding in Lausanne and surrounding communes
Introduction to international and bilingual school options
Coordination of the legitimation card or residence permit process
Temporary housing during the transition period
Settling-in support: commune registration, banking, utilities, local orientation

Steps and Timeline

Confidential kick-off call

We confirm the executive's needs, timeline, family composition and any requirement for discretion before any search begins.

Housing and school search in Lausanne

A shortlist of properties and school options is prepared and, where possible, viewed together with the family.

Administrative coordination

We coordinate the legitimation card or permit steps with the cantonal authorities alongside the employer's HR or immigration contact.

Arrival and settling-in

Temporary housing if needed, commune registration, banking, utilities and orientation to the new neighbourhood.

Common Mistakes

Waiting until after arrival to start the school search, when places at sought-after schools in the Lausanne area can fill well in advance
Signing a lease before confirming commute time and school catchment for the family
Underestimating how long the legitimation card or permit process takes once documents are incomplete
Leaving the accompanying partner without a dedicated contact once the executive is absorbed into a new role
Considering the relocation finished once housing is found, without planning registration and settling-in steps

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an executive relocation to Lausanne usually take?

Timelines vary with the family's situation and the permit process involved, but a confidential search for housing and schools can often begin weeks before the executive's start date. Starting early, even before a contract is finalised, is the main lever for protecting the timeline.

Can the relocation stay confidential before the executive's move is announced?

Yes. We run the initial briefing, housing shortlist and school introductions on a confidential basis, communicating only with the executive, their partner where relevant, and the designated company contact until the move is ready to be disclosed more broadly.

Does the service cover the accompanying partner and children?

Yes. Executive relocation support includes the partner's practical needs and the search for suitable schooling for accompanying children, alongside the executive's own housing and administrative requirements.

Do you handle the legitimation card or work permit for the executive?

We coordinate the administrative steps for the legitimation card or residence permit with the cantonal authorities and the employer's HR or immigration contact. For the legal specifics of a given case, our consultants coordinate with qualified specialists.

What areas around Lausanne do you cover for home finding?

Home finding covers Lausanne itself and the surrounding communes on the Lake Geneva shoreline and in the wider Vaud region, matched to the executive's commute, budget and family preferences.

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Talk to a consultant about your situation, with no obligation.

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