Moving and deregistering
Moving to Switzerland requires careful planning. Especially when it comes to the transport of belongings and customs regulations. It’s important to prepare the necessary documents and know the import regulations.
Planning 1–2 months before moving
Find out about customs requirements in advance
Importing moving items is usually duty-free
Notify address changes early
Planning 1–2 months before moving
Find out about customs requirements in advance
Importing moving items is usually duty-free
Notify address changes early
How to make your move to Switzerland go smoothly
Customs regulations and necessary forms
When moving to Switzerland, all moving items are subject to Swiss customs regulations. For the import process to go smoothly, you need to prepare certain documents and present them on arrival:
- Application form 18.44
Proof of relocation, e.g. employment contract, new rental contract and confirmation of deregistration from your old place of residence.
Residence permit if you are a non-EU citizen.
A rough inventory list of your household effects. Receipts can be used to prove that you have owned an item for more than six months. This can make going through customs smoother if you have relatively new electronic devices.
When importing vehicles: the foreign registration certificate.
Important: will you transport your household effects yourself? Then plan enough time at the border, as all documents will be checked there and any further charges will be due.
Customs in Switzerland: moving and registering household effects
You’re moving to Switzerland soon and you’d like to bring your household effects with you. In this case, you must declare your moving items at customs. We show you what to be aware of when importing personal effects into Switzerland.
Read articleMoving companies: stress-free transport
Moving to another country presents a logistical challenge – hiring an international moving company can save a lot of stress here. These companies are familiar with customs regulations, take care of customs clearance and ensure smooth transport.
Tip
The transport company should ideally be located between your current place of residence and your new address in Switzerland. This way, you avoid unnecessary journeys.
Request several quotes and compare price, service and reviews. Moving companies can get booked up early. So book the company as soon as the moving date is set.
Deregistration at your current place of address
Before moving, you need to deregister at your current place of residence. This involves issuing a confirmation of deregistration, which is required for various administrative procedures in Switzerland, depending on the canton of residence, such as:
Registering with the local authority at your new place of residence
Applying for residence status and permit
Opening a bank account in Switzerland
Tip
Is your passport or identity card about to expire?
If so, you should renew it before you move. This saves you from having to submit a new application at the consulate after arriving – avoiding further stress in the early days.
Summary:
Register your moving items with customs in good time and prepare the necessary forms.
If you aren’t using a moving company: expect delays at the border.
An international moving company can take care of a lot of the work – so book early!
Deregister from your current local authority and make sure you have confirmation of your deregistration.
If the expiry date is approaching, renew your passport or ID before you move.
With good preparation, moving to Switzerland will be much easier!