Taking your internet contract with you when you move house: how it works
When it comes to moving house, the question often arises: what happens with the internet in your new home? These tips will help you maintain your internet connection after you move.
27.06.2023
iStock / YakobchukOlena
1. Can I bring my internet contract with me when I move house?
In principle, you can take your current internet contract with you when you move house. However, you may face additional costs because you often have to pay a relocation fee. This can vary depending on the provider.
Which internet service provider is available in the new apartment?
The only way to easily transfer your internet connection to your new home is if your provider offers the same products at the new address as at the old location. Otherwise, you’ll have to switch to a different product.
The Comparis Internet Check lets you know which internet connection is available at your new address:
Special right of termination of your internet plan upon relocation
If your existing internet product is not available at your new place of residence and you would like to change provider, you still need to terminate the internet contract in due time. Make sure to check the minimum contract duration.
This is because early termination without additional costs is at the discretion of the provider. According to the terms and conditions of the internet provider, no special right of termination is normally provided for. It is therefore all the more important that you check the internet speed at the new place of residence before moving.
Moving house: fees charged by internet service providers
Many internet service providers charge processing fees for a change of address. When you report a move to Sunrise, for example, you pay 79 francs. With Teleking, transferring the internet is free of charge.
| Provider | Relocation fees |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | CHF 79.00 |
| Swisscom | CHF 69.00 (free of charge via the online customer centre) |
| Salt | CHF 49.95 |
| Green | CHF 49.00 |
| Yallo | CHF 99.00 |
| Teleking | free of charge |
Last update: April 2023, list not exhaustive.
Important: if you need to consult a specialist for installation, these costs are added on top of the processing fees.
2. When do I have to report my move to the internet provider?
Normally, you must report your move at least one month in advance. Some internet service providers require at least five weeks’ notice, however the processing time depends on the connection.
Do you have a fibre optic connection both at your old apartment and your new place of residence? If so, processing times may be shorter. However, you will need the OTO number of your new home. The OTO number can be found on the fibre optic socket.
3. I’m moving house – can I cancel my internet contract?
Terminating your internet plan is not absolutely necessary when you move house. If you still want to change provider, you must terminate your current contract in accordance with deadlines. The notice period is often two months. Be sure to also observe any minimum contract duration stipulated.
Cancelling before the end of the contract term is associated with high costs. Calculate what makes more sense in the event of early termination: the provider’s cancellation fees or a double payment. In other words, it can sometimes be cheaper to run two connections at the same time for a few months than to terminate the previous contract early.
4. Can the new tenant take over the internet contract?
In principle, most providers allow you to change your internet subscription to a different name. however you must pay a fee for this. The fee depends on the provider.
5. Setting up the internet in your new apartment: tips and tricks
Avoid cancellation fees
Are you moving house and switching providers before the cancellation period of the internet contract expires? In this case, the new tenant can continue to use your connection until the end of the contract. You should discuss this with them.
Bridging your internet connection when moving
It can sometimes take a day or two to get the internet up and running in your new home – even if you meet all the deadlines. You can use the hotspot on your smartphone to bridge the gap. This works particularly well with subscriptions with unlimited data.
Check the internet speed in advance
Are you dependent on very high internet speeds? Please note that 10,000 Mbit/s is not available everywhere. You should therefore check the connection at the new address before signing the rental agreement.
Professional move
Moving house can be very stressful. Do you want to have your move done by professionals? With our moving partner topmovers, you can get quotes for your move.
This article was first published on 11.05.2023
