Moving to Switzerland from France: Complete Guide 2026

"We're moving! I signed my contract in Lausanne, we're leaving in 6 weeks!"

When Laura announced this to her husband, he had a moment of panic. Six weeks? To organize everything? Housing, the truck, administrative procedures, children to enroll in school, closing French accounts, opening Swiss accounts, insurance, furniture, and... everything else?

Three months later, settled in their 3.5 room apartment in Renens, Laura and her husband take stock. The move cost CHF 8,500 (budgeted: CHF 5,000). They forgot to cancel their French internet box (CHF 320 lost). Their Swiss security deposit took their entire budget (CHF 7,200 blocked for 3 months). And they lived for 2 weeks on inflatable mattresses while waiting for the furniture.

"Six weeks? We should have taken at least three months."

This guide is the result of dozens of France-Switzerland moving experiences. The successes, the struggles, the real costs, the mistakes to avoid. Everything you need to know to make your installation go smoothly.

Key figure: According to the State Secretariat for Migration, 8 weeks is the minimum recommended time between signing the contract and the actual move to avoid stress and additional costs (source: SEM).

Photo by Karola G on Pexels - Organization and planning are key for a successful move to Switzerland

The Real Budget: What It Really Costs

Forget the €1,500 you had in mind. Here are the real figures.

The Direct Costs of Moving

Option 1: Professional Mover Paris-Zurich, 35m³ (3-room apartment): €2,800-3,500 Lyon-Geneva, 25m³ (2-room apartment): €1,800-2,400 Marseille-Lausanne, 30m³: €2,500-3,200

Prices include: packing, transport, insurance, assembly/disassembly.

Option 2: Truck Rental + Friends/Family 20m³ truck weekend: €400-600 Gasoline: €150-250 Toll: €80-120 Pizza/beers for friends: €100 Total: €730-1,070

Real savings: €1,200. But plan your weekend and that of 4-5 friends. Plus the stress of driving a truck for 400 km.

The Hidden Costs (The Ones We Forget)

Swiss housing deposit: CHF 6,000-9,000 This is THE shock. In Switzerland, the deposit = 3 months' rent. Apartment at CHF 2,400/month? Deposit CHF 7,200 blocked for the entire rental period.

Marc thought he had CHF 8,000 in savings. Deposit CHF 7,200. CHF 800 left to furnish, settle in, live the first month. He had to borrow CHF 3,000 from his parents.

Service installation fees: CHF 500-800

• Electricity: CHF 0 (generally included)
• Internet + TV: CHF 150-300 installation
• Missing furniture: CHF 2,000-5,000 (bed, sofa, table, dishes)
• Equipped kitchen? Rare in Switzerland, often CHF 3,000-8,000 if absent

Administrative fees: CHF 200-400

• Driver's license exchange: CHF 50
• Vehicle plates: CHF 150
• Household liability insurance: CHF 150/year
• Miscellaneous paperwork

First month of living expenses: CHF 4,000-5,000 Before the first salary, you have to live 4-6 weeks. Rent, groceries, gasoline, health insurance—everything goes at once.

Realistic total installation budget: CHF 12,000-18,000 depending on the situation. Not CHF 3,000.

The Optimal 12-Week Timeline

Weeks 1-4: Preparation (France)

Week 1: Paperwork & Permits Your Swiss employer submits your application for a B permit. You gather all necessary documents. Anticipate translations/apostilles if diplomas are not in French (delay: 2-3 weeks).

Week 2-3: Swiss Housing Search Start immediately, the market is tight. Visit 8-12 apartments. Prepare a solid application: salary slips, work contract, recommendations. Swiss landlords are demanding—15 candidates per apartment in cities.

Key sites: Immoscout24, Homegate, Anibis

Week 4: Signatures & Preparation Apartment found, lease signed, deposit paid. Start sorting your belongings. Sell/donate what is not worth the cost of transport.

Weeks 5-8: The Transition

Week 5-6: Cancellations in France Housing notice (generally 3 months, negotiate reduction if possible) Internet/mobile/electricity cancellation (precise dates) Mail forwarding (La Poste, €30 for 6 months)

Week 7: Moving Organisation Book a mover OR rental truck. Request leave from your current job if necessary. Notify your loved ones (help on the big day).

Week 8: Anticipated Swiss Procedures Open a Swiss bank account (some banks accept before arrival) Compare health insurance (you will have 3 months but it's best to anticipate) Plan registration with the residents' control office (appointments sometimes have a 2-3 week wait)

Photo par SHVETS production sur Pexels - Moving to Switzerland requires organisation but opens up new opportunities

Weeks 9-10: The Move

D-7: Final Preparation Boxes labeled, inventory done, essential items separated (survival suitcase: 1 week's worth of clothes, documents, chargers, coffee maker).

D-Day: The Big Day Mover arrives early (7am generally). Loading 3-6h. Travel. Unloading. Basic installation. You sleep on an inflatable mattress surrounded by boxes. Welcome to Switzerland.

D+1 to D+7: Basic Installation Unpack essentials, install bed/sofa, do basic shopping, scout the neighborhood, identify nearby Migros/Coop.

Weeks 11-12: Intensive Administration

Priority 1: Residents' Control Office (J+14 max) Mandatory registration within 14 days. Bring: permit, lease, passport, work contract. Allow 30-60 minutes, queue possible.

Priority 2: Health Insurance (3 months) Subscribe in the first few weeks. Prices vary depending on canton, age, deductible. Use Priminfo.ch to compare.

Priority 3: Vehicle Registration (1 year but do it quickly) If you have imported your car: Swiss technical inspection, new plates, motorway vignette. Cost: CHF 300-500.

Priority 4: Other Services Internet (activation time 2-4 weeks), household liability insurance (mandatory for tenants), driving license exchange if non-EU.

The Three Fatal Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Under-Budgeting the Deposit

Antoine had CHF 6,000 in savings. His apartment: CHF 2,200/month. Deposit: CHF 6,600. He had to ask for a family loan and live ultra-tight the first month.

Solution: Plan for 4-5 months of Swiss rent in savings before moving (month 1 rent + 3 months deposit + unforeseen expenses).

Mistake #2: Moving Without Confirmed Housing

Julie thought "I'll find something on the spot in 2 weeks." Reality: 6 weeks of Airbnb at CHF 120/night = CHF 5,040 lost before finding anything. And the stress of searching while working full time.

Solution: Apartment signed BEFORE moving. Even if you have to pay for 1 empty month, it's cheaper than the hotel.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Administrative Deadlines

Sophie moved, but her B permit hadn't arrived yet. She couldn't register with the residents' control office. Nor open a bank account. Nor take out insurance. Blocked for 5 weeks.

Solution: Start working only when B permit is pre-approved at a minimum. The employer can often have you start with pre-authorization.

Your Moving Checklist (Print Me)

3 MONTHS BEFORE: □ Swiss employment contract signed □ Application for B permit submitted by employer □ Moving budget established (CHF 12,000-18,000) □ Swiss housing search started

2 MONTHS BEFORE: □ Swiss apartment found and signed □ Deposit paid (3 months rent) □ Notice given for French housing □ Mover/truck reserved □ Sorting of belongings started (sell/donate)

1 MONTH BEFORE: □ Cancellations in France (internet, electricity, etc.) □ Swiss bank account opened □ Comparison of health insurance done □ School for children (if applicable) registrations started □ Boxes packed gradually

DAY OF: □ Physical move □ Inventory of fixtures France exit □ Inventory of fixtures Switzerland entry □ Basic installation (bed, kitchen)

WEEK 1 SWITZERLAND: □ Registration with residents' control office (<14 days) □ Activation of Swiss bank account □ Health insurance taken out □ School registration for children

MONTH 1 SWITZERLAND: □ Internet/services installation □ Household liability insurance taken out □ Driving license exchange (if necessary) □ Vehicle registered (if applicable) □ Daily routine established

Key Points to Remember

Moving to Switzerland from France is a major project that requires 3-6 months of preparation and a budget of CHF 12,000-18,000. Three essential principles: Firstly, anticipate hidden costs (3 months' deposit + furniture + installation services) which often double the initial planned budget—many underestimate and find themselves in financial difficulty in the first month. Secondly, timing is crucial—start looking for accommodation as soon as the contract is signed, do not move before receiving the pre-approved permit, allow a 2-week buffer between arrival and start of work for paperwork. Thirdly, the Swiss quality of life largely compensates for the temporary hassles of moving—high salaries, security, public services, and proximity to nature quickly create a feeling of having made the right choice.

Plan meticulously, budget generously, and accept that the first 2-3 months will be intense. Then, you will enjoy everything Switzerland has to offer.

Official Resources

• CH.ch - Moving to Switzerland - Complete official guide
• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) - Permit information and procedures
• Immoscout24 - Swiss accommodation search
• Comparis - Moving company comparator - Moving quotes
• Priminfo.ch - Health insurance comparator
• HelloSwiss - Expatriate integration platform

Related Articles

Choosing your canton in Switzerland Before moving, strategically choose your canton according to your priorities (taxes, employment, language, quality of life). Detailed comparison of the 26 cantons.

Health insurance in Switzerland You have 3 months after arrival to choose your LAMal. Complete guide to options, deductibles, and how to save CHF 2,000/year.

Geneva-Vaud residence permits Understand the different permits (B, C, L), conditions for obtaining them, and the application process for successful installation.

Calculate your net salary Before moving, calculate exactly what you will really receive. Realistic budget = net salary - rent - insurance. Customs clearance: 0 CHF

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