Mail forwarding with the post office: report a change of address and redirect mail
Letters and parcels should still arrive at the right address after a move. The post office offers a mail forwarding service for this purpose. Comparis explains the key aspects of mail forwarding in Switzerland.
26.04.2023
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1. Changing address at the post office: do I have to redirect my mail?
You can report your change of address online. Changing address is free of charge at the post office. Another option is to let the post office notify third parties that you have moved. This means: the post office will report your move, for example, to your health insurance company or for a newspaper subscription.
Would you like letters or parcels to be sent to your new home address? You can then instruct the post office to forward your mail. The forwarding service is subject to a fee and is not compulsory.
How much it costs to move with a moving company
Moving can be expensive. For instance, you may pay between 1,350 and 1,920 francs for cleaning and moving a 3.5-room apartment. The costs vary greatly from one provider to another. So it’s a good idea to compare the options. You can request up to five quotes via our moving partner topmovers.
Notify the post office of your move without mail forwarding
Do you prefer to submit a change of address without mail forwarding? The post office will then return mail for your old address to the sender. The mail will always be returned, no matter how the letterbox is labelled.
2. Mail forwarding costs: the cost of redirecting mail in Switzerland
| Mail forwarding costs at the counter | Mail forwarding costs online | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 47 | 35 |
| 12 months | 57 | 45 |
| 18 months | 67 | 55 |
| Surcharge for additional person | 15 | 15 |
| Surcharge for express order | 10 | 10 |
| Surcharge per forwarded package | 8 | 8 |
Source: Swiss Post. Information as at 18.4.2023
3. How do I arrange to have my mail forwarded?
You can apply for mail forwarding online or in person at the counter. To place the mail forwarding order on the Internet, you need a login (customer login at Swiss Post or SwissID).
Would you like to report the move to the post office without a login? If so, you’ll need to go to the post office. Make sure you bring a valid ID.
4. When should I arrange mail forwarding?
Place the mail forwarding order at least four working days before the actual move date. It will otherwise be considered an express order and cost 10 francs more.
Subsequent changes to the mail forwarding order
You can change or cancel a mail forwarding order This can be done online or at the counter up to two days before the order expires.
5. How long will my mail be forwarded?
Mail forwarding can remain in place for six, 12 or 18 months. You can contact the post office for longer terms.
Good to know: if any more letters or parcels arrive at your old address after the mail forwarding order has expired, the post office will return them to the sender.
6. Are there any alternatives to having mail forwarded?
In addition to the mail forwarding service, the post office offers the following alternatives:
Redirecting mail to a temporary address
These alternatives may be useful if you are going on holiday or subletting your apartment.
This article was first published on 10.11.2020
