Moving to Switzerland?

Planning to move to Switzerland? From the picturesque towns by the lakes around Zurich and Lucerne to the international energy of Geneva — this small country is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also offers an exceptionally high quality of life and salaries. And of course, you will enjoy that wonderfully fresh mountain air. It is no surprise that moving to Switzerland is a dream destination for many.

What to expect when moving to Switzerland

Relocating to Switzerland does require some preparation. If you’re dreaming of a new life in this stunning Alpine nation, there are a few things you need to consider. As Switzerland is not part of the European Union, you will need to meet visa requirements, thoroughly research the housing market, and familiarize yourself with local customs and regulations. In this guide to moving or emigrating to Switzerland, we aim to provide a complete picture of what you will need — and how we at De Haan can fully support you during your move.

Would you like to:

• Have your move handled by a reliable moving company with knowledge and experience in your new home country, Switzerland?
• Ensure customs clearance into Switzerland is seamless and trouble-free?
• Have your move managed by a partner with extensive experience in high-end relocations?
• Entrust your relocation to a company that puts your wishes first?
• Use air-suspended moving trucks, secure lifting equipment and sustainable packaging to protect your valuable belongings?
• Move to Switzerland with personal guidance from De Haan’s international moving experts with profound customs expertise?

If the answer is yes, contact the specialists at De Haan today.

Read more? Check our blog 'Challenges when moving to Switzerland'.

Your move to Switzerland with De Haan

You are moving to Switzerland soon — the land of fondue and ski slopes, four national languages, and the finest chocolate. And of course, you don’t want any unexpected hurdles along the way. When moving to Switzerland, you want your personal belongings to arrive safely at your new home and that involves customs procedures.

As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa to live in Switzerland if you are staying less than three months. For stays longer than three months, you will need to apply for a residence permit ("Aufenthaltsbewilligung").

A move to Switzerland is not the same as moving house within the Netherlands. Think steep roads, required parking permits, long walking distances to basement storage, tricky loading or unloading locations and so on. Maybe you speak only a little French, German, or Italian — and you are worried about how it will all go.

Fortunately, with De Haan as your experienced international moving partner — complete with our own fleet of vehicles — you do not have to worry. A stress-free move to Switzerland? Who would not want that?

Contact us today for a quote

Why choose De Haan when moving to Switzerland?

Feeling unsure? That is completely understandable. International relocation and customs regulations are not everyday concerns — but they are for us at De Haan. That is why we offer step-by-step, personalized support throughout the process.

Are you aware of the required documentation and current customs procedures for moves to and from Switzerland? Our well-trained, in-house Move Coordinators are fully up to date! We will guide you in gathering the necessary documents so you will not face any unexpected issues.

Avoid customs issues at the Swiss border when emigrating. Our decades of experience with moves to and from Switzerland ensure fast and reliable customs clearance. We also work closely with a long-standing local partner who helps us ensure smooth customs processing.

Additionally, our customs-certified warehouse in Alblasserdam offers secure interim storage. This can be very useful! We can load your household contents directly from your location or receive them at our customs depot to save costs. Based on your preferences, we will schedule a delivery date for your move to Switzerland.

Want to bring your car as part of your move? No problem! Our experienced Move Coordinators will gladly advise you on the specific conditions.

Are you handling car import procedures yourself? We offer more information about this in a separate article. It is important to coordinate with us who crosses the Swiss border first — your car or our moving truck. That way, you avoid paying a possible customs bond at the border.

Moving to Switzerland: requirements, conditions & necessary documents

• Goods can be imported duty-free, provided they’ve been in your possession and use for at least 6 months before the move.
• Items must be imported within 24 months of your arrival in Switzerland.
• If the required customs documents are not available, we can temporarily clear your goods through a special procedure, though this involves additional costs.

Because Switzerland is not part of the EU, we require the following four documents before our moving truck departs with your household goods:

1. Copy of your passport
2. Copy of your residence permit (“Aufenthaltsbewilligung”)
3. Customs form 18.44, with your original signature
4. Copy of your rental or purchase agreement for your residence in Switzerland
5. A detailed inventory list in English (our movers will prepare this for you)

Customs may request additional documents such as a work contract, confirmation of departure from your previous municipality, or a new residence registration to verify duty exemption eligibility.

Returning to the Netherlands from Switzerland with De Haan

De Haan specializes not only in international moves and emigration, but also in moving to the Netherlands from abroad. We arenot just another moving company — we have been active in the industry since 1777! As a family owned business, our focus is on you, the customer, and we offer only high-quality, tailored service.

We may not be the cheapest, but we are the most reliable. Our team of motivated professionals hold all the required quality certifications, and their passion for the job is passed on from generation to generation. With our global partnerships, we can handle your relocation anywhere in the world.

Once your belongings arrive, it is time to settle in. You can unpack yourself or let our skilled, flexible team handle it. With all your familiar items around you, we hope you will feel at home again in no time.