Swiss Relocation Agency: Swiss mobility for HR teams, from permit to first payslip

Swiss relocation is a sequence of linked decisions. The permit route sets the timeline. The timeline sets the housing search, the school choice and the date of the first payslip. An error at the start is paid for at the end.

This site is a matching service. It works with relocation companies in Switzerland and, depending on the request, puts the HR or mobility manager in touch with the one that fits the assignment. It does not carry out the steps itself. What follows is the map your team can use to brief a transferee and to frame a request.

Who this site is for

The readers are HR, global mobility and immigration compliance teams. The employee is abroad today. The employer decides the policy, the budget model and the start date.

Typical situations:

• A single transferee moving from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, France, Canada, China, Japan, the UAE or Australia.
• A family move, with schooling and partner questions attached.
• A group move, where several employees travel in the same period.
• A lump sum policy, where the employee organises most steps, or a managed service, where a provider runs them.

For the policy side, see employee relocation to Switzerland and the corporate relocation service.

Step one: the permit route

Switzerland applies two regimes to foreign workers. Nationals of EU and EFTA states fall under the free movement agreement (ALCP). Nationals of other countries are third-country nationals and follow the general admission rules for non-EU/EFTA workers (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM).

The regime depends on nationality, not on the employer's location or the employee's current country of residence. A British, Indian or American employee is a third-country national. A German or French employee is an EU national.

The detailed conditions, such as qualification criteria and priority rules, differ by regime and are examined by the authorities. The result is a decision by the cantonal and federal authorities. No provider or employer can promise it in advance.

To see the likely route, use the permit finder. For the full picture, read the residence permit explained for transferees and the immigration support page.

Step two: the move itself

Once the route is clear, the practical workstreams run in parallel:

• Housing. Rental files in Switzerland are document-heavy. The rental file checker lists what agents expect, and the home search service describes how a provider can run viewings.
• Shipment and travel. The international moving service covers customs paperwork and timing.
• Location. Cantons differ in language, tax and daily life. The city comparator helps shortlist a base.
• Schools. Family moves depend on school places. The school choice guide sets out the options.

Step three: arrival

Arrival registration with the municipality (Gemeinde, commune) comes first. According to ch.ch, the notification is due within 14 days of arrival. The period can vary by municipality or canton, so the local office confirms the exact rule (ch.ch). On site, the municipality asks for an identity document, the residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.

Basic health insurance (LAMal in French, KVG in German) is compulsory for anyone domiciled in Switzerland. It must be taken out within three months of taking up residence. If that period is respected, cover is backdated to the date of arrival, and premiums are due from then. If it is missed, cover starts at affiliation, a premium surcharge can apply for an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH).

Because the rule is compulsory and backdated, the insurance choice belongs in the pre-departure plan, not in week six. For cost ranges, read how much health insurance costs. A relocation provider can examine the specific situation.

The path at a glance

The sequence below shows how a request moves from the HR desk to a matched provider.

Tools for HR teams

Four tools save time before any request is made:

1. The relocation calendar orders the steps by date.
2. The personalised checklist generator builds a task list for one transferee.
3. The city comparator compares destinations.
4. The permit finder points to the likely permit route.

After arrival, the first-weeks checklist and the settling-in service cover what follows. A broader view of the market is on relocation services in Switzerland.

How to make a request

The request is made through the form at the bottom of the page. It asks for the assignment type, the nationality group, the family situation and the services wanted. The more precise the brief, the better the match. A specialist then examines the case and the request is passed to a suitable relocation company. See also request relocation support.

Frequently asked questions

What does Swiss Relocation Agency do?

It connects employers and HR teams with relocation companies in Switzerland. The site explains the process and passes a qualified request to the company that suits the need. It does not carry out relocation steps itself.

Which countries do transferees come from?

The content is written for moves from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, France, Canada, China, Japan, the UAE and Australia. Other origins can be submitted in the request.

What are the two permit regimes?

Nationals of EU and EFTA states use the free movement route (ALCP). Nationals of other states follow the rules for third-country workers. The regime is set by nationality.

Who decides whether a permit is granted?

The Swiss authorities decide. A provider or employer can prepare the file, but the outcome is not assured and depends on the authority.

When does the employee register on arrival?

According to ch.ch, the arrival is notified to the municipality within 14 days. The exact rule can vary by municipality or canton, so the local office confirms it.

What is brought to the municipal registration?

An identity document, the residence or work permit and proof of health insurance.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for anyone domiciled in Switzerland and is taken out within three months of taking up residence.

What happens if the insurance deadline is missed?

Cover starts at affiliation, a premium surcharge can apply for an unexcused delay, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer.

Does the site choose the insurer or the permit for the employee?

No. The site gives general rules. Case-specific questions on permits, tax or insurance are examined by a specialist through the request.

Can a lump sum policy be combined with provider support?

Yes. Many employers pay a lump sum and add selected services, such as home search or settling-in. The request states which services are wanted.

Is the service free for the employee?

The site gives no price for any provider service. Terms are set between the employer and the provider after matching.

Sources

• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), admission of workers
• ch.ch, the Swiss authorities' portal
• Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), compulsory health insurance