Moving To Switzerland from Canada
Moving To...
Bern Switzerland
Zürich Switzerland
Geneva Switzerland
Retire To Switzerland
Switzerland enjoys the best of all four distinct seasons. Well known for world class skiing snow arrives late fall leaving early spring. Winter precipitation levels now require ski hills create artificial snow to be able to deliver the those expected great skiing experiences. Spring, summer and autumn (i.e. April thru October) present beauty, from spring meadows to fall leaves.
The desirability of retiring to Switzerland has high costs. The larger cities, like Zürich, that rate best can be more expensive than even New York.
Retiring to Switzerland requires a prearranged Type D Visa. Each of the 26 Cantons control their own immigration. All Cantons require residency permit arrangement within 14 days and a non-working residency permit. Note - Your Type D Visa requires proof of securing health care insurance from a Swiss insurance company.
Links about Moving To Switzerland
COST OF LIVING IN Switzerland
• Cost Of Living in Geneva
• Cost Of Living in Zürich
LIVING IN Switzerland
• Swiss Visa and Immigration
• Swiss Health Care Private health care covered by private insurance.
• Swiss Education
SWISS CONSULATE
Open: 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: (604) 684 2231
790-999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
CANADIAN EMBASSY IN Switzerland
Open: Monday to Thursday: 8 – 12, 13 – 17 hr
Fridays: 8 – 13:30 hr
Phone: +41 31 357 3200
Kirchenfeldstrasse 88, CH-3005 Bern
Relocating to Switzerland
• Consider the replacement cost and importance of the items your moving.
• Arrange a Swiss bank account at first opportunity. Also payment by cash is a norm, more than you might expect.
• Arrange a Swiss phone number and functioning email address. Local communication is needed by many organizations you'll want to register with.
• Swiss are reserved. They tend to speak a couple of their four official languages and occasionally English.
Tips When Moving To Switzerland
• Moving to Switzerland success depends on your destination Canton. As with many things in life, the devil is in the details. In Switzerland those details are under the control of each of the 26 Cantons. Cantons also have language idiosyncrasies. Over 60% of the population use Swiss German. Note that Swiss German includes over 3000 words outside of standard German. Over 20% speak French - western regions particularly. About 8% speak Italian - southern regions particularly. French and Italian used by the Swiss also have unique words, called Helvetisms. Local language consideration eases any successful move to Switzerland.
• Remember that Switzerland is NOT part of the EU or European Union Customs Union, but its part of the Schengen area. While many of its operating realities follow European Union operation Switzerland retains its own independent sovereignty
• Recording of your possession inventory is critical, for the successful move to Switzerland. Unlisted, new or unused items, as well as prohibited items, will put your move and its costs at risk. Recording errors will delay processing requiring extended storage that in turn add unexpected demurrage charges.
• Swiss culture is different. Yes required translating from English to official languages which adds processing time. There is also a less mission critical approach to dealing with household goods being imported as you move there.
• Stay on top of your moving decisions. Monitor changing COVID coverage in the Bern local newspapers and media.
