Ensuring a successful transition to your life in Switzerland

We offer all aspects of relocation support throughout all phases and at any time during your international assignment.

Pre-Move Orientation

This program is suitable for Assignees who are contemplating a transfer to Switzerland but need to get a clearer picture about daily life in Switzerland before making a final decision

Customized program to assist in the process of decision making about moving to Switzerland, including: 

• Area orientation

• Viewing of schools & potential living areas

• Educational options and consulting

• Options for spouse activities and career

• Information on daily life issues

  AREA ORIENTATION

• Pre-Arrival information package (covering services offered) and welcome letter

• Assessment of needs

• Pick-up of Assignee

• Overview of desirable residential areas and housing market

• Guided orientation tour adapted to specific needs (including driving by international schools, if required)

• Arrange appointments with international schools or day care providers, if required (without being accompanied by a Relocation Consultant)

• Visits of some sample houses/apartments (various sizes and price ranges) Information on other issues related to settling into Switzerland (tailored to assessment of needs) Local neighborhood orientation

• Hotline (normal business hours, available up to two months after move-in)

Home Finding

Finding a nice comfortable home is the first step to your well being in Switzerland and eases the transition for the whole family. 

Typical activities arranged by our counselor include:

• area orientation tour

• school appointments

• real estate appointments

• introduction to furniture/appliances purchase

• visits to shopping areas, medical facilities

• special interest facilities and other activities as requested

After selecting your home the counselor will:

• help negotiate rental costs and other fees

• arrange for lease contract

• arrange for deposits

• arrange for telephone installation and utility connections

  Search for suitable apartments

• Organize appointments to view appropriate apartments

• Accompany client for the inspections (maximum time of two viewing days)

• Organize apartment takeover and accompany client

• Help explain and translate contracts

• Connect radio, TV, electricity and water

• Registration and rental/purchase of telephone

• Explanation of house rules

• Demonstration of electrical household appliances (washing machine, dryer, etc.)

• Administrative clarification and repair of hidden defects after apartment takeover

Settling In Services

Setting up your life in Zurich

Practical support services start before you move and continue after you arrive in Switzerland. Ongoing access to our counselor is available for the duration of your assignment.

• Area tour

• Food shopping - getting familiarized with our products

• Advice and help in conclusion of the contract for insurances (liability, housing, medical, etc.)

• Clarify Social Security (retirement and disability) accession duty and take necessary measures

• Explanation of quarantine regulations for pets

• Accompany client to the residents’ registration office

• Advice in buying electrical accessories

• Opening of bank account and explanation of modalities and transaction possibilities

• Postal system and rates explanation

• Explanation of different methods of payment (standing order, direct debiting, etc.)

• Familiarization with Swiss cultural practices

• Provide brochures from furniture stores

• Provide list of various American and English clubs

• Explain medical/dental emergency system incl. a list of English speaking doctors

• Provide information on English speaking church services and church activities

• View schools, accompany for the interview and help for the registration

Ongoing Destination Support

ONGOING SUPPORT FOR YOUR STAY

Following the conclusion of the Home Finding/ Settling-In Programs, our counselor is available to our clients for the duration of their assignment, providing local information, help with emergencies and access to our L.I.N.C.S helpline.

Many questions will still arise after settling in. Long-term aid helps making the stay in Switzerland a success. Some examples include:

• Support with language problems

• The client and his family are in a new social situation and need etiquette coaching

• They need recommendations places of interest

• Information on specialist dealer’s, prices differences, specific products, etc.

• An emergency occurs and you need administrative help and/or advice

Educational Consulting

This program assists families with the selection and making first contact with appropriate schools or day care providers for their children. Based on an assessment of needs, families will be provided with thorough information about the Swiss school & daycare system, the international schools, as well as a definition of requirements and documentation for the appropriate schools or daycare providers. Appointments are arranged and can be accompanied by your counselor.