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*Based on real prices from thousands of Konnect You users.
Switzerland is home to over 40,000 British expats and is known for its high standard of living, strong economy and striking natural landscapes. It is easy to see why many people choose to make it their new home.
Moving to Switzerland can feel more straightforward with the right international removal company, but there is still plenty to plan. Your route, customs paperwork, delivery times and how your belongings will be handled can all affect the move.
Konnect You can connect you with up to 6 trusted international removal companies for moves to Switzerland. You could save up to 70% on your international removal costs while choosing a company suited to your budget, timings and destination.
Switzerland is home to popular relocation destinations such as Basel, Geneva and Zurich. Whether you are moving to a city apartment or a quieter Alpine location, the right company can help you plan the journey and understand what needs to happen before moving day.
Fill in the form to get matched with international removal companies who can discuss your move and provide their prices.
The amount of time it takes for your goods to arrive depends on what shipping option you choose. It’s important that you are aware of the pros and cons of each option.
Here are the shipping options you can choose from:
You can choose one option or a combination of options when moving furniture abroad.
Although Switzerland is a landlocked country, it is actually accessible by sea. Switzerland is home to five main ports. These are Port of Basel, Port of Birsfelden, Port of Kleinhuningen, Port of Muttenz-Au, and Port of St. Johann. The busiest port is the Port of Basel, which is often referred to as the Port of Switzerland.
Shipping freight can access Switzerland via the River Rhine. The River works as the maritime gateway that provides access to the North Sea. It takes approximately 3 days for shipping freight to arrive from the UK to Switzerland.
Shipping freight is a great option because it allows you to transport as much or as little as you want. With five main ports in Switzerland, you can choose one that is closest to you for convenience.
It’s important to remember that shipping freight may incur extra costs. These include if you choose to have the goods picked up from your house to the port and then delivered to your door.
The most popular option for removals to Switzerland is road freight. This is thanks to Switzerland’s incredible road and rail network. Road freight is a great option as it is the most affordable choice. Switzerland is a landlocked country meaning that road freight is accessible. Your goods will travel through France and then into Switzerland.
Road freight takes between 2 and 3 days to reach Switzerland depending on your new location. What is great about road freight is that you can receive door-to-door service. This means you don’t have to worry about any extra costs for delivery or pick-up. It is one of the cheapest options, making it suitable for those on a stricter budget.
There may be some delays with road freight due to traffic jams or poor weather conditions. Your removal company may offer a tracking system so you can keep an eye on it.
For those who don’t have a lot of goods to transport, part-loading is the best choice for you. This allows you to have a portion of a container with the rest of the space taken up by other people’s goods.
Part-load is a cost-effective method and perfect for smaller moves. It means you don’t have to pay for a full container that you won’t use.
This is the most timely option as part-load can take up to a week for your goods to arrive. This is important to consider if you need your goods urgently.
For those who want the fastest option, air freight is the best option. Your goods will be flown directly from a UK airport to one in Switzerland. There are 7 airports in Switzerland with Zurich Airport being the busiest one. You can choose to have your goods flown to an airport convenient to you.
Air freight for removals to Switzerland takes around 1 to 2 days to arrive. This makes air freight the most efficient and direct option. This is the best option for those who need their belongings urgently. You can opt to have your goods picked up and delivered to your new home at an extra cost.
The downside to air freight is the cost as it is the most expensive shipping option. If you are working with a strict budget, it may not be a suitable option so make sure you plan this in advance.
The average cost of shipping a 20 ft container to Switzerland is £830. Shipping a 40 ft container to Switzerland costs £967 on average. The total cost is dependent on what mode of transport you choose and how much you are transporting. Removals to Switzerland can be expensive if you have lots of furniture to transport.
Here are the average container costs for removals to Switzerland:
| Container | Size (£) |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | £830 |
| 40 ft Container | £967 |
If you are transporting a lot of goods, make sure you handle heavy furniture with care to avoid injury.
When moving to Switzerland, you need to ensure that you have the proper documentation.
You will need to make sure that you have the appropriate documentation on arrival:
According to the UK government, UK nationals do not need a visa if they are staying in Switzerland for up to 90 days. This is because Switzerland is in the Schengen area.
Those moving to Switzerland temporarily for work will need a short-term permit. These are either the 120-day work permit or the 4-month work permit.
Those looking to move to Switzerland long-term will need a National Visa. This is called a Type D Visa. The National Visa is issued by the cantonal migration authority. It is given to those seeking residence in Switzerland.
