Thinking about Relocating to Switzerland? This Checklist will make it Easier

By : Nick Marr
|
23/03/2019

Moving to a new country comes with untold excitement especially for people traveling for the first time. Many people spend sleepless nights visualizing and anticipating the numerous opportunities that relocation presents them with.

However, there are challenges involved before one finally settles in their new destination. Below is a checklist to help you have a smooth relocation to Switzerland.

Immigration and Registration

Individuals visiting Switzerland as tourists for up to 90 days do not require registration. However, if you are traveling for work, you need a work permit. Non-Swiss individuals need immigration authorization to work in the country.

Sometimes, this could come with a residence permit. Every new resident should register at their commune or local town hall within a period of 8 days after entering the country and before commencing their inaugural working day.

Prepare your Pets

Today, many people have pets that they cannot imagine living without. While some people would opt to give out their pets to friends and relatives, ardent pet lovers will go everywhere with their pets. If your relocation to Switzerland involves pets, it is important to understand that there are stringent customs and regulations governing the same.

These are subject to change depending on the pet and its country of origin. Remember, they could be quarantined before they are finally permitted to live with you.

Schools for your Children

Education is among the top factors that parents with school going children consider before relocating. In order to choose the ideal school for your children, you should be open-minded, organized, and well-informed.

You need to conduct extensive research too in order to understand what the schools in the country have to offer. Some of the factors to consider before choosing a school include:

  • Your children’s age
  • Languages are spoken in the school
  • The personality of your children
  • Your children’s school experience
  • Length of stay in the country
  • Your financial status

Will you Carry your Household Goods?

Once you have finalized your relocation plans, think about your household items. Do you value any of them so much that you cannot leave them behind? Whether you carry them or not should be determined by the factors below:

  • Are you relocating on a short term or long term basis?
  • What is your family’s financial situation?
  • What plans do you have for your current home? Will you sublet or sell it?
  • What is your budget? Can you afford to hire a reputable international packers and movers company to transport your goods to Switzerland?

Remember, there are numerous moving companies that are popularly known for international relocations. However, some of them are unreliable. If you decide to move your goods, you should research extensively for a reputable company.

Do You want Temporary or Permanent accommodation?

Prior to relocating, you should have a comprehensive plan of where you will stay. Are you planning on getting a temporary residence before settling in on a permanent one? If you are considering the former, there are numerous good quality and reasonably hotels to choose from.

However, these may not be convenient for pet owners or big families. You could opt for furnished apartments instead as they can be cheaper than hotels. Finding a permanent residence in Switzerland can be an expensive and arduous task.

However, with the help of a relocation expert, you could get a home with ease while evading some costly choices.

Will you Require a Car?

If you feel that you and your family will require a car while in Switzerland, you may need to compare between purchasing one locally and importing your current one. You could actually make huge financial savings by importing your current vehicle. However, you need to plan early in advance.

Additionally, you should consider the costs of modifying the car to ensure that it complies with Swiss specifications as well as importation costs. These could be quite expensive especially if the car was not designed for the European market. In many cases, buying a from the local Swiss market would the best idea.

Finally

With this checklist, you can be assured of a smooth relocation to Switzerland journey. If you have friends in the country, they can assist you and make your journey even easier.