Moving to Anniviers is nothing like moving in the lowlands: the commune brings together several mountain villages, chalets and valley roads that call for some forward planning. Whether you are preparing to leave or to arrive, it is best to describe the access precisely before choosing a removal company in Anniviers. A single online request is enough to receive free quotes from professionals in the region.
Anniviers: a commune of mountain villages
Anniviers was created in 2009 by merging the communes of the Val d’Anniviers: Vissoie, Grimentz, Zinal, Saint-Luc, Chandolin, Ayer and Saint-Jean. For a move, this means there is no single centre but several villages, each with its own layout, lanes and access.
The housing stock reflects this geography: chalets, village houses, flats in small apartment buildings, and sometimes second homes. An isolated chalet and a flat in the heart of a village are not moved in the same way. State in your request which village is concerned, the type of property, the floor and how to get there: this information has a direct bearing on the organisation and on the quote.
Access, parking and floors in Anniviers
The roads climbing into the valley are those of a mountain valley: the ascent can be demanding and a large lorry is not always suitable. Depending on the village and the chalet, the mover may choose a smaller vehicle or plan several trips. Point out any narrow passage, steep slope or track the lorry cannot take as far as the front door.
Carrying distance matters too. If the vehicle has to stop some way from the property, boxes and furniture have to be carried by hand, which lengthens the job. In a chalet with a steep staircase or a village house on several levels, a furniture lift can replace carrying items up the stairs, provided the façade and the space in front of the building allow it.
A lorry, furniture lift or skip occupying the public road may require a permit from the commune or the police. Check with the commune a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date, especially if you are moving to a village with narrow streets.
When to move in Anniviers
To leave your home, the notice period is in principle three months for the term set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a quarter of the lease (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless your contract provides for longer. Customary terms vary by canton and commune: check your lease and local custom. Notice must be given in writing, and for the family home the spouse or registered partner must expressly consent. For details, see our guide to terminating a lease in Switzerland.
Around the usual terms, movers are in high demand: book early. In the mountains, the season matters a great deal. A winter move can be complicated by snow and road conditions; see our advice on moving in winter. Summer is generally easier for access, but resorts and villages can then be busier.
Formalities in Anniviers: residents’ registration office and housing
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): your departure from the old commune and your arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online through eMoving (eUmzugCH). The guide on registering with the commune explains the procedure.
Remember also to give your new address to your employer, insurers, bank and subscription providers. When handing back your home, the move-out inspection (état des lieux) is a step not to be overlooked: allow for cleaning and minor repairs. In a new home, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in your name.
If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, additional formalities apply, in particular regarding customs and residence permits. Contact the relevant authorities early.
Useful services for moving to Anniviers
Residential moving
For a flat, a village house or a chalet, residential moving remains the foundation. Describe the access and floors so that the team arrives with the right equipment.
Furniture lift
In villages with narrow staircases or upper floors, a furniture lift avoids taking bulky furniture through the stairwell. It needs space and sometimes a permit from the commune.
Storage
If your dates do not line up, or if you are waiting for access to a chalet, storage lets you keep your belongings for as long as needed.
Packing and unpacking
Packing and unpacking are useful when the journey is long or the roads are winding: well-protected items cope better with the climb and descent of the valley.
Furniture assembly and disassembly
A large piece of furniture does not always fit up a chalet staircase. Furniture assembly and disassembly makes transport and reassembly on site easier.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand back your home in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning saves you time before the move-out inspection (état des lieux).
Requesting a quote
- You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, access and preferred date.
- Professional removal companies in the region contact you, possibly for a visit on site.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose.
The price depends on volume, distance, floors and access, any furniture lift, packing and the date. For a tailored estimate, request a free quote with no obligation.
Around Anniviers
If you are torn between the valley and the plain, see the page on moving to Sierre; for another resort in Valais, see Crans-Montana. Moving in the canton of Valais gives the general picture, and you can find all the communes we serve.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Anniviers
Not always. Mountain roads and the lanes of some villages can limit the size of the vehicle. Give the exact address and access details in your request: the mover will choose suitable equipment, possibly making several trips.
Occupying the public road with a lorry, furniture lift or skip may require prior permission from the commune or the police. Check with the commune a few days or weeks before the move.
The warmer months make access easier, as snow can complicate the roads in winter. Periods close to the lease terms are in high demand: book early. Also check the local customary term in your lease.
Report your departure from the old commune and your arrival in the new one to the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants), within the period set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online through eMoving. Remember your change of address too.
Often, yes, if the staircase is narrow or the property is high up. The access and the space in front of the building must allow it. Mention it in your request so that the movers can include it in the quote.