Switzerland is renowned for its high quality of life, including excellent healthcare, education, and public services. The country boasts beautiful landscapes, low crime rates, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. The clean environment, efficient public transportation, and safety make it an attractive destination. Whether you are moving for your career or education or to be with family, Schumacher Cargo is here to help get you there. To help, we’ve created this guide for US citizens moving to Switzerland. So, let’s dive in and look at your Switzerland moving options and requirements.
Jump to a Section in the Switzerland Moving Guide:
- Moving Services to Switzerland
- US Departure Ports
- Cost of Moving to Switzerland
- How Long Does Moving to Switzerland Take?
- Most Popular Places to Live in Switzerland
- Getting a Visa to Live in Switzerland
How to Move to Switzerland from the USA
The first step in moving to Switzerland is understanding how you will move your household goods overseas. Next, apply for Visas. Then book your shipment with Schumacher Cargo and be on your way. While that may be oversimplified, it can be that easy when you understand the process and stay organized.
Ready to move to Switzerland now? Fill out our Online Quote Form to get a free quote.
International Moving Services to Switzerland
We have over 40 years of experience completing moves to Switzerland from the USA. Because Switzerland is landlocked, those relocating overseas may find that moving to Switzerland from the USA requires the transshipment of personal effects and household goods. Your goods will arrive at one of the European base ports and then move by land to your new residence. The most popular method for transporting your belongings involves door-to-door consolidated container shipments. With this service, you get great value since you only pay for the space you need in the container. Once your goods arrive at the port, we transport them to your new home.
Switzerland Moving Services Include:
- Door to Door full service moves
- Enclosed storage
- Consolidated Containers (LCL) – for moves that don’t need a full container
- Full Container Load (FCL) – Our most popular are 20-foot and 40-foot containers
- Packing and wrapping
- Pickup and delivery to the warehouse/port from anywhere in the USA
- Customs clearance and documentation
- Transshipping to your home in Switzerland
- Surveys for accurate quotes of your volume
- Flexible options to fit your budget and timeline
As mentioned, since the goods transship, it gives you more entry base port options. Depending on when your household goods are shipping to Switzerland, we’ll move your goods through the best base port in terms of shipping rate and time.
Departure Ports in the US
We own facilities located near the major departure ports in the US. We will transport your goods from your home to one of our warehouses. We pick up household goods and ship them overseas from anywhere in the US.
SCL Warehouse Locations:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Houston
- New York
- Miami
- Savannah
How Much Does Moving to Switzerland from the USA Cost?
When moving to Switzerland from the USA, the amount of goods in your shipment, the origin state, and the final destination all factor into the overall cost. This is why our representatives create custom quotes based on your specific shipment and needs, ensuring you get the most accurate quote for your move. First, you need to know the volume of your move to Switzerland. Use our household goods volume calculator to determine the container size you need. Once you see the size of your move, you can get a better idea of the cost.
Fill out our Online Quote Form to get a free quote for your move to Switzerland!
How Long Does Moving to Switzerland from the USA Take?
Shipping household goods to Switzerland usually takes 4-6 weeks once on the water. This time does not include pickup or shipment preparation time. Our Switzerland moving specialists will review time frames and keep you informed of anything that may affect the arrival time of your household goods. You will also have access to tracking.
Generally, moving to Switzerland door-to-door takes about 8-10 weeks, but some shipments are shorter or longer. As international movers, we do everything we can to meet our estimate, but these should serve more as a guide than an exact timeline. Once your goods are on the water, your Schumacher Cargo representative can provide a more accurate time frame.
Major Destinations In Switzerland
Below are some of the more popular destinations our customer choose to relocate to in Switzerland:
- Zurich
- Geneva
- Basel
- Bern
- Lucerne
We can move you anywhere in Switzerland, even to a smaller city. With our experience, moving to Zurich or Geneva is as easy as moving near the Alps.
Getting a Visa For your Move to Switzerland
The State Secretariat for Migration SEM is the migration authority in Switzerland. To reside in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you will need a Category D visa, also known as a National Visa. If you are staying in Switzerland for any of the following reasons: employment, education, or family reunification, you will need a Category D Visa. For more information on entry to Switzerland from the US, visit the SEM website.
Interesting Swiss Facts
- You are never more than 10 Miles from any lake
- 2023 – 62% of Switzerland’s electricity is hydroelectric power
- There is a statue of Freddie Mercury on Lake Geneva shore
- The CH for Switzerland stands for Confoederatio Helvetica (Helvetic Confederation)
- There are more banks than dentists
- Population of about 8.7 Million as of 2022
More Info
Fill out our Online Quote Form and start moving to Switzerland today!
If you have questions about your move overseas, call 1-800-599-0190 to speak with one of our international moving specialists.
SCL Ratings for Switzerland Movers
