Frequently Asked Question

Can you help with tax and banking setup?

At Swiss Platinum Relocation, we understand that financial matters are a key part of a smooth relocation. That’s why we work closely with a trusted network of financial partners to offer tailored guidance and support for your financial transition to Switzerland.

Our services include wealth structuring, international tax advisory for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and AML-compliant banking onboarding in full accordance with Swiss regulations. Every aspect is handled with precision, transparency, and professionalism.

From asset planning and documentation to account setup, our experts manage each step discreetly and securely, ensuring full confidentiality and compliance with all Swiss financial laws.

Whether you’re managing personal wealth or corporate assets, we connect you with reputable institutions and advisors who deeply understand the Swiss financial landscape. Our goal is to simplify complex transitions and give you total peace of mind throughout your move.

At Swiss Platinum Relocation, we understand that timing doesn’t always align perfectly when moving. That’s why we offer secure, climate-controlled storage to keep your belongings safe while you get settled into your new home.

Our facilities are available for 3 to 9 months, providing complete flexibility to match your relocation timeline. Whether you require short-term or medium-term storage, we ensure your possessions are always within reach when you need them.

Each unit is monitored 24/7, maintaining optimal conditions free from humidity, temperature changes, or potential damage. Your items stay in perfect condition until you’re ready for delivery.

This service is ideal for individuals and families awaiting permanent housing or shipment arrivals. With Swiss Platinum Relocation, you can relocate at your own pace — knowing your belongings are in trusted, professional hands every step of the way.

At Swiss Platinum Relocation, we understand how important your children’s education is when relocating to Switzerland. That’s why we partner with a network of top-tier Swiss international schools to ensure your family finds the perfect academic environment.

Our dedicated education team supports you through every stage of the enrolment process — from preparing and submitting documentation to scheduling guided campus tours and arranging introductions with school administrators. 

We know that choosing the right school is a major decision. That’s why we provide personalized advice based on your child’s age, language proficiency, and academic goals, helping you make the most informed choice possible.

Our goal is to make the transition into the Swiss education system as smooth, welcoming, and stress-free as possible. With Swiss Platinum Relocation, your family will feel supported and confident from the very beginning.

At Swiss Platinum Relocation, we take care of absolutely everything involved in your move — from start to finish. Our all-inclusive relocation service ensures a smooth, organized, and worry-free experience, tailored to your individual or family needs.

We handle every aspect of your relocation, including moving logistics, customs handling, immigration and visa support, housing search and setup, banking assistance, and complete settling-in services to help you adapt easily to your new life in Switzerland.

Whether you’re relocating alone or with your family, every detail is managed with professionalism, precision, and care. With Swiss Platinum Relocation, you’ll enjoy full transparency — no hidden fees, no unexpected costs, and no confusing extras.

Our mission is simple: to make your relocation effortless, stress-free, and fully supported at every step. From your first consultation to the moment you feel at home, Swiss Platinum Relocation ensures your transition is smooth, comfortable, and perfectly executed.

At Swiss Platinum Relocation, we understand that every move is different. On average, the relocation process takes 3–6 months for individuals, depending on visa processing times, housing availability, and personal readiness. Our goal is to make your transition efficient and effortless from the very beginning.

For families with school-age children, the process can extend to 6–12 months. This timeframe allows for finding the right schools, arranging educational transfers, and ensuring every family member feels at home in their new environment.

The Swiss Platinum Relocation team creates a custom relocation plan for each client, aligning every detail with your specific goals and timeline. From visa support and home search to school placement and local registrations — we manage it all so you don’t have to.

With Swiss Platinum Relocation, you can expect clarity, precision, and peace of mind. Once we assess your individual situation, we’ll provide a transparent timeline tailored to your needs — ensuring your move to Switzerland is seamless, stress-free, and perfectly coordinated.

Swiss Platinum Relocation provides seamless moving and relocation services tailored to all kinds of people including high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and diplomatic staff.

We handle pre-move consulting and planning, including personalized immigration and visa assistance. Our experts coordinate logistics and packing, shipping your household goods, and ensuring a seamless customs clearance. We also offer full home search and real estate services, negotiating leases or purchases on your behalf.

Once you arrive, our job is helping you settle in, by taking care of your utilities set-up, municipality registration, and bank account opening.

Besides those, we also have specialized services that include school placement guidance for families with children, and 24/7 concierge support – be it booking private jets, yachts or luxury vehicles, arranging private tutors, event planning, and helping with errands.

We tailor each relocation plan to the client’s needs – whether you’re a family, a corporate transferee, or an embassy posting. Our reputation is built on personalized attention and privacy, drawing on our various partnerships across Switzerland and internationally, so you can rest assured your move will be made effortless and discreet.

Switzerland consistently ranks among the world’s top destinations for quality of life. Its Alpine scenery, excellent infrastructure, and stable economy are some of the reasons why Swiss relocation is so highly rated, with Switzerland earning its place as the best country to live in globally seven times, with Zurich, Geneva, and Bern always in the top 10 cities with the best living standards.

About 27% of Switzerland’s 8.9 million residents (roughly 2.4 million people) are foreign nationals, reflecting a strong international community – and expatriates prize Switzerland for its safety, multilingual culture, and high-quality healthcare and education.

Switzerland also offers world-class financial services: ultra-secure banks and favorable tax regimes that make it a premier choice for wealthy families who seek wealth preservation and discretion.

The Swiss lifestyle comes with top-rated hospitals, cutting-edge research universities, and a network of international schools for studying. Public transportation is efficient and safe, healthcare is universally accessible (though not free), and the Swiss legal framework is both transparent and business-friendly.

Not necessarily. While German, French, and Italian are Switzerland’s main languages, many expatriates live comfortably with English, particularly in Zurich, Geneva, and international business hubs.

However, learning the local language will enrich your daily life and help you integrate better. We can connect you with private tutors and cultural orientation programs to make the transition smoother.

When you relocate to Switzerland, most of your household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free if you meet certain conditions:

  1. Showing evidence of transfer of your place of residence to Switzerland, e.g., by signing a lease or employment contract;
  2. The goods must have been used abroad for personal use for at least six months; and
  3. You intend to continue using them in Switzerland.

When you meet these conditions, personal items like furniture, appliances, books, clothing, and artwork will be exempt from custom duties. In practice, what this means is that the professional movers we arrange will present a detailed inventory and the required customs declaration form at the border.

You will also need to provide documents such as a list of the items, proof of residence transfer (by lease or employment), your Swiss residence permit (or proof it is being processed), and proof of purchase or rent of your new home. 

Once through customs, there is no set appointment needed for clearance, though it can speed things up.

Importantly, Switzerland also allows up to two years after your official move-in date to import your belongings duty-free. Our team will assist you in completing all customs paperwork to ensure a smooth import of your household goods.

Vehicles and Pets are not covered by the general duty-free exemption. 

Cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles require their own import procedures, which include taxes and inspections, so special planning is needed if you plan to bring your car.

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) must also meet Switzerland’s animal import regulations, which emphasize rabies prevention.  Any dog, cat, or ferret older than 12 weeks must have a valid pet passport or official health certificate, be microchipped, and have received a rabies vaccination after the chip was implanted. There is typically no quarantine if these requirements are met and all paperwork is in order.

We can provide you with guidance on pet relocation, including coordinating veterinarians and scheduling any required blood tests, so that your animals can accompany you legally and safely.

Switzerland requires all foreign nationals staying longer than three months to have an appropriate residence permit. However, the process depends on nationality:

EU/EFTA citizens benefit from free movement rights, while non-EU/EFTA (third country) nationals face stricter rules. EU/EFTA/Schengen nationals do not need a visa to enter Switzerland, but they must register and apply for a cantonal residence permit if they plan to stay long-term. Non EU/EFTA citizens on the other hand, generally need a national visa (type D) before arrival. They will then be expected to apply for a residence permit within 14 days of entry.

We can guide you through every step of this process.

For employment moves, your Swiss employer will typically initiate the work visa application, proving the job meets quota requirements. After arriving, you will then need to apply for the permit in person at the cantonal migration office within 14 days. 

Swiss permits come in several categories, e.g., Permit B for initial stays and Permit L for short-term assignments. 

Our immigration specialists will prepare and submit all paperwork, liaise with canton authorities, and keep you informed of timelines. We will also advise on permit renewal and permanent residency pathways (typically after 10 years for B-permit holders) if you plan a long-term stay.

Thanks to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, citizens of EU and EFTA countries like Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein face no annual quotas to move to Switzerland. They can enter without a visa and are eligible for the same residence permits as Swiss citizens after registration. Schengen rules also allow visa-free entry for short stays.

On the other hand, non-EU/EFTA nationals must meet stricter conditions. Typically, a Swiss employer must obtain authorization proving no suitable EU/EFTA candidate was available, before a work visa will be issued to a non EU national, subject also to government quotas.

Absolutely. While we specialize in individual and family moves, we are equally experienced in corporate mobility and government/embassy relocations. Many diplomatic missions and international organizations trust Swiss Platinum to move entire teams securely and efficiently. 

We understand the unique needs of official relocations: coordinating immunity paperwork and settlement allowances, supplying secure serviced housing and discreet transportation. So, for corporate clients, we can offer tailored policy advice and manage multiple moves simultaneously.

In every case, our goal is to function as an extension of your HR or administration team, providing luxury-level service with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality.

Switzerland’s housing market moves fast, especially in major cities. That is why our housing services include orientation tours and bespoke house-hunting assistance. 

We assess your preferences (luxury apartments, family homes, lake-view estates, etc.) and pre-select options. Then, we will accompany you to viewings and negotiate contracts. We can also manage home staging or temporary stays while you search.

Swiss Platinum Relocation is familiar with all cantons’ rental laws, including key deposits, permits, and lease terms, so we ensure your lease is secure and compliant. If you plan to purchase property, we can also advise on the process since some cantons have restrictions for foreigners.

We also understand how critical schooling is for families. Switzerland offers a wide range of educational options, from public cantonal schools in Swiss, German, French, or Italian, to prestigious international and private schools. We can provide you with educational consulting: advising on the best schools, arranging interviews, and even tutoring to help your children adapt.

Switzerland’s healthcare is among the world’s best, but it is not state-funded. Every resident must purchase Swiss health insurance (basic compulsory insurance) within three months of arrival. In doing that, we assist clients in comparing plans and completing enrollment to ensure coverage.

Note that EU/EFTA nationals can temporarily use the European Health Insurance Card, but they must still register for Swiss coverage for longer stays. Also, in emergencies or routine care, Swiss hospitals and clinics maintain excellent standards, and most doctors in Zurich/Geneva speak English.

We can also help coordinate private supplementary plans if desired, as well as appropriate policies for international schools and international coverage. 

Switzerland offers an unparalleled quality of life, but it comes with correspondingly high costs. Places like Zurich and Geneva consistently rank in the top 10 most expensive cities globally, so if you’re moving in switzerland, expect to pay premium prices for housing and dining, although the salaries and allowance balance everything up.

To deal with how expensive Switzerland is, we counsel clients on budgeting: advising on realistic housing costs in different regions, helping negotiate rental terms, facilitating the opening of Swiss bank accounts, and advising on the best banking relationships.

On taxation, Switzerland has a favorable structure, especially for wealthy residents.

Income tax is progressive but capped at reasonable rates, and there is no tax on capital gains for private securities. Cantonal differences may apply when it comes to these rates, but more importantly for high-net-worth individuals, many cantons offer a lump-sum taxation regime where eligible foreigners can negotiate a field tax based on spending rather than income.

That can help your savings, and Swiss Platinum Relocation can put you in touch with top tax consultants to explore these options, making sure your move optimizes your tax position while complying with regulations.

Ideally, we recommend beginning preparations at least six months in advance. This allows ample time for visa processing, house searches, and school placements, making sure nothing is rushed. 

That said, Swiss Platinum Relocation specializes in tailored solutions and can expedite the process for clients who require urgent relocations on tighter timelines.

Each person’s move is unique, but a few general timelines apply.

Visas and permits can take two to three months, and more if special approvals are needed. That’s why it’s best to begin immigration applications as early as possible.

House shipments normally take a few weeks via ocean or air freight; our team will advise the optimal transit and handle customs. Also remember you have up to two years to bring in goods after your move, so you can be flexible buying items abroad.

House hunting and school placement usually occur after you arrive, over one to two weeks.

Also, our aim in making your move stress free is to have your essentials in place by the time you move in: utilities, ID, insurance, and registrations. These can typically be completed within the first month.

Ultimately, a smooth relocation can take between 4 to 6 months of preparation plus a few weeks of on-site setup, but we will work with your schedule to speed up or slow down as needed.