Living in Switzerland
Switzerland is a very popular location for British expats. However, as Switzerland is not part of the EU, moving there is not quite as straightforward as moving to France. We perform removals to and from Switzerland on a regular basis, so we've got the knowledge and experience to help you get there.
Tips for moving to and living in Switzerland
An agreement between the EU and Switzerland facilitates the entry, residence and employment of EU citizens in Switzerland, and obtaining a residence permit is relatively straightforward for European Union citizens.
If you are moving to Switzerland with your children, you will also need to consider education options. If you are not planning to stay beyond a year or perhaps two, you may want to consider a private international school, where they can be taught in English. Switzerland has a number of international schools. Of course, you can also choose the local school, which will normally help your children catch up on the local language.
Medical care is generally easily available and excellent; all residents of Switzerland are required to purchase basic health insurance shortly after arrival in the country. The costs of medical insurance will vary from canton to canton and region to region, so check this out before you choose a place to live.
Alles in ordnung!
Switzerland runs so smoothly because of the rules in place - and people follow them. Alles in ordnung - everything in order - is a key phrase you may hear frequently in the German speaking part of Switzerland. From restrictions on when your removal in Switzerland can take place (not on a Sunday, public holiday, or during the late evening), to when you can run your vacuum cleaner (not on a Sunday in most flats), or go shopping (shops normally close early on Saturday afternoon and don't reopen until Monday morning), be prepared to adjust to a slower paced lifestyle.
Interesting facts about Switzerland
- Switzerland has four official languages, German, French, Italian and Romansh, however English is also quite frequently used
- Roughly one quarter of the residents of Switzerland are foreigners
- Europe's largest clock face is in Zurich - even bigger than Big Ben's clock face
- The headquarters of many European and international organisations are located in Geneva, such as the United Nations, World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization
- The Bank for International Settlements (the central bank for all central banks) is located in Basel
- The Swiss are famous for their watchmaking, and are leaders in luxury watches, with brands such as Rolex or Rado
- Cuckoo clocks are not Swiss, but come from the Black Forest of Germany
- Swiss German is a spoken language only; the written German language is High German, which can be very confusing for new arrivals as they're not as similar as you'd think
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage can help your overseas move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 01785 251161 and speaking with one of our Stafford and Cheshire removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Thanks guys, you were the best
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Our original removals were unable to move us due to short notice on completion date. Recommended by Ewe move agent.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Great price and really helped us out when we had just a week’s notice to move. Also dismantled and reassembled triple wardrobe on the day which made a massive difference.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Paul and Alan were tremendous from the minute they arrived. Constantly communicating with me and checking in regarding where boxes/items needed to go. They stored everything and organised our belongings brilliantly making the whole experience seamless and easy. Thanks guys, you were the best!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You can’t!
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Garden pots were stored at your yard and yet to be delivered but we had no issues with this due to van size available to us
Impressed by your representative and his suggestions for the move
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We found you on the internet and were impressed by your representative and his suggestions for the move
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Because you gave me a reasonable quote.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very helpful efficient and cheerful
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Your phone contact was very helpful, and even came back to us after a very short time with a replacement after initially saying you had no availability for our chosen date
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Very professional from start to finish
Available at very short notice
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Internet
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
You were available at very short notice.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Paul, Alan Tony and crew were always extremely helpful, efficient and accommodating.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
We were satisfied with handling.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Our move was very last minute but Darren managed to resolve the situation and solve all problems expertly.
William Frame​From quote to removal, excellent service
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Good reviews online
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Explained everything to us and reasonably priced
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They worked efficiently and nothing was too much trouble even though we wasn’t sure if the move would go ahead
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing to change
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
From quote to removal, excellent service
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