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Shipping to Switzerland
Are you looking to relocate to Switzerland? Regularly voted one of the safest countries to live and raise a family, Switzerland boasts excellent job prospects and breath-taking natural scenery.
Once you have secured a new home you will have to start thinking about moving your household effects to Switzerland. Whether you are relocating permanently or only short-term, enlisting the services of a reputable removals company should be high on your list of priorities.
GoodMove are international relocation experts and have moved families and individuals all around Europe and internationally. We can offer both full and part load solutions, tailored towards your specific requirements and budget.
For short term moves we can also offer storage facilities to help you manage the transition from your life in the UK to your new one in Switzerland.
As qualified members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) you can rest assured that your belongings are in safe hands and, in the unlikely event something goes amiss, we can correct it.
To find out more about how GoodMove can get your dream move to Switzerland underway don’t hesitate to give us a call today. Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form above and arrange a free no obligation quotation.
Why Choose Us for Removals to Switzerland?
Moving with GoodMove couldn’t be simpler. Our experienced and friendly team will be on hand to guide you throughout the process and will tailor your move to your time and budget.
We pack your belongings using a bespoke range of packing materials and deliver them right to your new home using our extensive fleet of vehicles. We can supply the following materials so all your items can be packed properly and avoid any damage in transit:
- Boxes
- Packing Paper
- Packing Cases
- Book Cartons
- Packing Tape
- Wine dividers
- Acid free paper (for silverware)
- Portable Wardrobes
- Bubble Wrap
Once we ascertain the volume of effects being moved we will send you a free no obligation written quotation. If satisfied we will then provide you with a full schedule detailing every aspect of your move, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
We also offer a range of flexible storage solutions should you wish to take advantage of them.
Why Move to Switzerland?
Switzerland has long been a popular expat destination with around a quarter of residents having been born outside the country.
Due to its central European location it is often wrongly assumed to be a member of the EU (voters rejected joining the EEA in 1992) although it maintains close trade links with its European neighbours.
Switzerland offers a very high standard of living with excellent job prospects and a highly efficient transport network. Many expats are drawn to working in the country’s booming banking and financial sectors where the take-home pay is high, and the tax rates are low.
Although many would point out that you need a high-paying job in Switzerland as the cost of goods and services is exceptionally high. This high cost of living is offset somewhat when you consider that Switzerland invests more in health and education, per head than any other country in the world.
Perhaps the defining feature of the country is the role nature plays in Swiss life. Within 30 miles you can go from standing in the middle of a busy city like Geneva to exploring huge lakes, mountains and stunning countryside.
Despite its reputation as a hub for business and finance, Swiss life places a heavy emphasis on work-life balance and family life. Its not unusual to be working one day and find yourself skiing in the Alps the next. If it’s a life less ordinary you are after, then Switzerland could be just the ticket.
Working in Switzerland
Most EU citizens, including those from the UK, do not require a work permit to live and work in Switzerland short-term. You can work for up to three months (or 90 days a year) without any kind of authorisation. Any later, and you will need to obtain a relevant work permit.
There are some very high-profile businesses in Switzerland with their HQ’s or European offices based in the country. Large corporations such as Nestlé, The British Tobacco Company, Rolex, Nespresso, Novartis and the Swatch Group all have offices based in the country.
Zurich is the capital and the Swiss-speaking part of Switzerland, but you’ll find most people speak some level of English. Switzerland has a relatively small market but generally has a high penetration rate in certain industries. Pharmaceuticals, watch-making, food and beverage industries or banks all provide excellent job opportunities.
In recent years, due do a shortage of highly skilled workers in some areas, Switzerland has relaxed its visa requirements for certain professions. The professions most in demand are IT professionals, natural scientists (biologists, chemists, physicists) engineers, professors, and scientific personnel in high technology areas.
Property Prices in Switzerland
Due to the very high cost of property, most Swiss people prefer to rent rather than to buy a home.
Switzerland offers a wide range of high-quality rental housing, although closer to the city rentals can be on the scarce side, as well being more expensive.
If moving as part of a working arrangement, expats are encouraged to negotiate some housing provision into their employment contract if possible.
It is advisable to find a property further out of town where prices are cheaper. The excellent rail system means that commuting doesn’t pose a problem not matter where you choose to live.
The most common type of home in Switzerland is an apartment, especially in cities like Geneva or Zurich. On average, you can expect to pay approximately Fr 9,000 – 14,000 (£6917 – £10,760) per square metre to purchase a modest 1 bedroomed apartment.
To rent a similar property the cost is approximately Fr 1414 (£1086) per month.
Education in Switzerland
The standard of education in Switzerland is excellent and the system is regarded as one of the best in the world.
There are both public and private schools, with both maintaining excellent reputations.
Public schools are free, and children can be taught in French, Swiss, Italian or Romansch depending on where they live.
Each region has responsibility for managing its own education provision and so it can become a little confusing.
As such, many expats, particularly those who only intend to stay in Switzerland for the short-term, choose to send their children to an international school, which will offer either a British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Travel in Switzerland
Switzerland has a very good public transport system consisting of trains, busses and trams. You can expect its busses, trains and tram services to be on time, clean and easy to use.
Train travel is the most common form of public transport. In fact, the country has the densest railway network in the world. You can travel anywhere in the country, with inter-connecting services to and from France, Italy, Austria and Germany.
The country benefits from an extensive and well-maintained road network, with mountain underpasses and tunnels. To drive legally in Switzerland, a full valid UK driving licence or equivalent is required.
To drive on motorways, a tax sticker, known as a vignette is required. The vignette is a small sticker which is attached to the windscreen to show that the annual motorway toll of 40 CHF has been paid.
Healthcare in Switzerland
The Swiss healthcare system is held up as a global model of excellence. The Swiss boast the second highest amount of healthcare expenditure in the world, behind only the US.
Swiss healthcare combines subsidised public and private healthcare systems to create an extensive network of highly qualified healthcare professionals. The countries’ hospitals and clinics are equipped with the most up to date technologically advanced facilities to be found anywhere in the world.
However, unless your employer pays for your cover, as an expat there is a price to pay for this level of care and it does not come cheap. Healthcare insurance is mandatory averaging Fr 530 (£393) per month, or approximately 10% of the average Swiss salary. There are different levels of insurance and you will need to explore these options carefully before you arrive in Switzerland.
Currency Conversion
As mentioned above, Switzerland is not part of the EU and retains its own monetary system. The official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF), which is divided into 100 Rappen.
All major credit cards can be used in Switzerland, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely. There are also plenty of ATM’s in shopping malls, banks and high streets.
When you are relocating to a new country such as Switzerland, making sure you get the best currency exchange rate possible is crucial. Moving large amounts of money, such as when you purchase a new home, could potentially increase your return substantially.
Export Packing for Removals to Switzerland from UK
You will want to know that during your door-to-door service, your possessions are treated with respect and care. Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. All china and glassware are wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons.
Furniture can also be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Upon arrival at your residence in Switzerland, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Contacting GoodMove
For further information on our removals to Switzerland service, or any other European destination, contact our European office on 01206 809660. Alternatively, complete the form below with your details and we will contact you as soon as possible
Storage Provision
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. Goodmove have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK. Our depots offer secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our partners in Switzerland can also offer you storage should you require it. You may be renting for a while and not need all of your effects to be delivered immediately.
If so, you can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Why Choose Us?
Worldwide Coverage
Our experienced team of removals specialists have been relocating customers all over the world since 1984.
100% Satisfaction
With a reputation for outstanding customer service, there's no better choice of removals firm for your next move.
Here For You
Our friendly support team are always on hand to offer help and guidance, whenever when you need it.