Complete Moving Checklist: Every Step for Moving in Switzerland

Your moving checklist for Switzerland: don’t forget a thing

A move in Switzerland involves numerous specific administrative steps that must not be overlooked. Forgetting to notify the municipality of your departure, delaying your address change with the health insurer, failing to respect the lease termination deadlines — the consequences can be costly.

This complete chronological checklist guides you step by step, from 3 months before your move through to the weeks after you settle in. It covers all Swiss administrative procedures, practical matters and commonly forgotten points.

Print this page or bookmark it: it is your best ally for a stress-free move.

3 months before the move

Lease termination and property search

• Check the notice period on your current lease (generally 3 months before the next official termination date)
• Send your termination letter by registered post, signed by all lease holders
• Observe the official termination dates for your canton (generally 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December)
• Begin your search for a new property (Homegate, ImmoScout24, Comparis, local classifieds)
• Prepare a complete application dossier (debt enforcement register extract, employer reference, copies of ID, references)
• Check whether your contract includes an early termination clause or the option of proposing a replacement tenant

Organising the move

• Request several moving quotes via our free quote form — at least 3 to compare
• Book the moving company as soon as possible, especially if you are moving on an official date
• Estimate the volume to move and begin sorting
• Check your household insurance: coverage during transport, any contract changes needed?
• Start selling or donating items you are not taking (Ricardo, Tutti, classifieds)

Financial aspects

• Set a realistic budget for the move — see our pricing guide
• Check the return of the rental deposit from the old property (timelines, conditions)
• Plan the payment of the deposit for the new property (1 to 3 months’ rent)
• Check whether your employer contributes to moving costs (in the case of a job transfer)

2 months before the move

Administrative steps

• Inform your employer of your address change and moving date
• Notify the school change for your children with the current and future school administrations
• If you are changing municipality: make an appointment to register your departure with the residents’ office
• Contact your health insurer to notify a change of canton if applicable (premiums vary from canton to canton)
• Inform the nursery/daycare if you have young children
• Cancel or transfer local subscriptions (gym, library, clubs)

Cancelling contracts linked to the property

• Electricity: inform your current supplier (cancellation is automatic when you move, but notification is mandatory)
• Internet/TV: check transfer or cancellation conditions (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, etc. — notice period often 30 to 60 days)
• Serafe (formerly Billag): notify the address change online at serafe.ch
• Household/personal liability insurance: notify the address change and adjust coverage for the new property

Practical preparation

• Order packing materials: boxes, bubble wrap, tape — see our packing guide
• Start packing seldom-used items (books, seasonal decorations, archives)
• Photograph valuable items for the insurance inventory
• Organise the sort: throw away, donate, sell, store, take

1 month before the move

Priority administrative steps

• Departure notification at the residents’ office of your current municipality (mandatory, deadline varies by municipality, often 14 days before)
• Mail redirection: order the redirection service from Swiss Post (paid service: approximately 45 CHF for 12 months, 25 CHF for 6 months). Available online at post.ch or at the post office
• Arrival notification: prepare the documents for the residents’ office of the new municipality
• Inform the cantonal tax office of your move if you are changing cantons
• Update your vehicle documents: plan the licence plate change if you are changing cantons (vehicle registration office)

Logistics

• Confirm the date and times with the moving company
• Apply for a parking permit from the municipality for the moving truck (if necessary in an urban area)
• Book a furniture lift if needed (upper floor without a lift)
• Plan the end-of-lease cleaning: book a professional cleaning company or plan to do it yourself — see end-of-lease cleaning
• Arrange childcare and pet care for moving day
• Plan temporary storage if the move-in and move-out dates do not align

Continue packing

• Pack room by room, clearly labelling each box (contents + destination room)
• Protect fragile items carefully: crockery, glasses, mirrors, paintings
• Disassemble bulky furniture (wardrobes, beds, shelving) — keep the hardware in labelled bags
• Prepare a “first day” box: toiletries, medication, chargers, change of clothes, coffee, snacks

2 weeks before the move

Final steps

• Confirm the exit inspection with your property manager/landlord — see our property inspection guide
• Confirm the entry inspection for the new property
• Inform the neighbours at both the old and new property of the moving date
• Cancel or modify the parking/garage subscription if applicable
• Empty the cellar and attic — do not forget these often-neglected spaces

Change-of-address notifications

Here is the complete list of organisations to notify — see our address change guide for details:

• Banks and credit cards (UBS, Credit Suisse, PostFinance, Raiffeisen, etc.)
• Health insurance (premium change if changing cantons)
• Other insurance (life, vehicle, legal protection, travel)
• AHV/IV compensation fund
• Pension fund (2nd pillar)
• Press subscriptions (newspapers, magazines)
• Online subscriptions (e-commerce, streaming)
• GP, dentist, paediatrician
• Military obligations (if applicable): notify your district commander
• Commercial register (if self-employed)

1 week before the move

Final preparations

• Finish packing all boxes
• Empty and defrost the fridge and freezer (24-48 hours before)
• Disconnect and prepare the washing machine (drain, secure the drum)
• Take meter readings for water, electricity and gas at the old property
• Do the last shopping without refilling the fridge
• Prepare a loading plan for the truck if you are moving yourself
• Protect the floors and walls at the old property with blankets or cardboard

Personal organisation

• Prepare a suitcase for 1-2 days (as if going on a short trip)
• Withdraw cash for tips, last-minute purchases and unexpected costs
• Charge all electronic devices (phone, tablet, laptop)
• Prepare important documents in a separate folder that you keep with you

Moving day

Morning

• Do a final walkthrough of the old property to check it is empty (cupboards, cellar, attic, letterbox)
• Protect the floors with cardboard or moving blankets
• Welcome the moving team and show them the loading plan
• Point out fragile items and furniture that needs disassembling
• Be available to answer the movers’ questions

During transport

• Check that everything has been loaded before the truck departs
• Go to the new property before the truck arrives to open up and prepare
• Carry out the entry inspection of the new property (photos, meter readings)
• Tell the movers where to place each box and piece of furniture in the new home
• Check the condition of items on arrival and report any damage immediately

Evening

• Carry out the exit inspection of the old property with the property manager or landlord
• Hand over all keys (including spares, cellar keys, letterbox keys)
• Sign the exit inspection report
• Set up the essentials in the new property (bed, basic kitchen, bathroom)
• Take meter readings at the new property

The first week after the move

Urgent administrative steps

• Arrival notification at the residents’ office of the new municipality (mandatory within 14 days of moving in, in most cantons)
• Documents required: ID card/passport, residence permit, marriage certificate/family record book, departure certificate from the old municipality
• Enrol your children at the new school (contact the school administration or municipal secretary)
• Register your dog with the new municipality (annual tax varies by municipality, from 50 to 300 CHF)
• Update the vehicle registration if changing cantons (licence plate)
• Activate contracts for electricity, internet and TV at the new property

Practical setup

• Unpack essential boxes first (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom)
• Reassemble disassembled furniture
• Check that all equipment is working (heating, hot water, appliances)
• Recycle boxes and packing materials (municipal collection points)
• Meet the neighbours and read the building rules
• Locate nearby services: doctor, pharmacy, shops, public transport

In the following month

• Adjust your household insurance for the new property (floor area, insured value)
• Update your address on any remaining official documents
• Register on the electoral roll of the new municipality (automatic in most cases in Switzerland)
• Update your driving licence if changing cantons
• Follow up on the return of the rental deposit from the old property (maximum period of 12 months if no dispute)
• Check that the mail redirection is working correctly

Special checklist for intercantonal moves

Moving between cantons in Switzerland involves additional steps:

• Health insurance change: premiums vary significantly from canton to canton. You have the right to switch insurer on this occasion
• Taxes: you will be taxed in the new canton from 1 January following your move (general rule, with exceptions for the self-employed)
• Licence plates: must be changed within 14 days at the vehicle registration office of the new canton
• Military service: notify the change to the new district commander
• Voting rights: the waiting period for acquiring communal and cantonal voting rights varies by canton
• Family allowances: may change depending on the canton; inform the family allowance fund

Tips for a stress-free move

• Start early: allow a minimum of 3 months’ preparation for a smooth move
• Use colour codes for boxes: one colour per room makes unloading much easier
• Photograph connections (TV, hi-fi, computer) before unplugging everything
• Keep important documents with you, never in the truck
• Have water and snacks ready for the moving team and yourself
• Arrange care for your children and pets on moving day to avoid stress and hazards — see our guides on moving with children and moving with pets

Frequently asked questions