Moving to Cologny needs a different kind of preparation from a city-centre move: the commune stretches across the hillsides of the left bank, above Lake Geneva and the harbour, with large estates and wooded grounds. Whether you are looking for a removal company in Cologny for a flat or for a house, the layout of the area affects your choice of lorry, carrying distances and moving date. This page gathers the key points for a smooth move to Cologny, and then lets you request a free quote.
Cologny, a hillside commune for your move
Cologny occupies the heights overlooking Lake Geneva and the harbour, on the left bank. The landscape is made up of large estates, wooded parks and residences surrounded by greenery; the Fondation Martin Bodmer, located here, adds to the commune’s quiet, heritage feel.
For a move, this means a variety of homes: detached houses and villas in extensive gardens, but also flats in more modest buildings. The canton of Geneva is very urban, with many tenants and international residents; in Cologny you will meet long-established families as well as newcomers from abroad. Each situation calls for its own preparation: a large volume of furniture in a big house is nothing like a furnished studio.
Access, parking and floors: what the hillsides change in Cologny
The hillsides mean sloping roads and, depending on the address, access routes to the properties that are sometimes narrow or private. Before booking, check that the lorry can get close to the entrance: a smaller vehicle, or a shuttle to transfer the furniture, is sometimes needed. Mention it in your request, because the carrying distance between the lorry and the door affects the working time.
In large houses, think about interior staircases, landings and upper-floor rooms: bulky furniture, a piano or a safe do not always fit through. A furniture lift can then take items out or bring them in through a window or balcony, provided there is a suitable spot. In an apartment building, note whether there is a lift and what its dimensions are.
The canton is known for difficult parking. Occupying the public road with a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior permission from the commune or the police: find out a few days, or even a few weeks, before the planned date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure. In winter, snow and ice on the slopes can also make access harder: keep some leeway in your schedule.
Choosing the right time to move to Cologny
A tenant can terminate a lease by giving three months’ notice for the date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a lease quarter (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless the contract provides for a longer period. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: reread your lease and find out about local custom. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). For the family home, termination by a married tenant or one in a registered partnership requires the express consent of the spouse or partner (art. 266m and 266n CO).
The periods around lease dates are the busiest: removal companies are in high demand, and slots are booked early. If you cannot meet the notice period or the date, you can be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). The guide on terminating a lease in Switzerland explains how to proceed.
As for the season, winter brings snow and ice on hillside roads, and summer brings intense heat for carrying heavy loads. The in-between seasons are often more comfortable, but your date depends first of all on your lease.
Administrative steps in Cologny: departure, arrival, housing
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): your departure in the old commune and your arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, you can report online through eMoving (eUmzugCH); check the procedure that applies to your address. The guide on registering with the commune helps you not to forget anything.
Also remember to give your new address to your employer, insurers, bank and subscription providers. For the home you are leaving, plan the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and the return of the keys; the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a home (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name.
If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, further formalities apply: customs for the goods transported and a residence permit depending on your situation. The French border surrounds the canton, which is why there are many cross-border moves; get information from the relevant authorities before the date.
Useful services for a move to Cologny
Residential moving
House, villa or flat, residential moving covers loading, transport and delivery. In a large estate, state the number of rooms, floors and the access so you get a realistic quote.
Furniture lift
When the staircase is narrow or the furniture is bulky, a furniture lift avoids carrying it through the inside of the home. Plan the location and, if needed, the permit to occupy the public road.
Packing and unpacking
In a house full of fragile items, packing and unpacking saves time and protects crockery, paintings and ornaments. You can pack only the delicate rooms.
Art and piano transport
Homes in the commune sometimes hold collections or instruments. Art transport and piano transport require specific equipment and expertise; mention them from the start of your request.
Storage
Between two homes, or while works are under way, storage lets you keep your furniture safe. It is useful when move-out and move-in dates do not coincide.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand the home back in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning prepares the move-out inspection. It saves you from doing it yourself on the last day.
Requesting a quote
- You describe your move online: departure and arrival addresses, volume, floors, access, preferred date.
- Professional removal companies in the area contact you, possibly for a site visit to assess the volume and access.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not to go ahead.
The cost mainly depends on volume, distance, floors and access, use of a furniture lift, packing and the date. To request a quote, simply fill in the form.
Around Cologny
If your route passes through neighbouring communes, see our pages on moving in Geneva, Chêne-Bougeries and Collonge-Bellerive. You can also read the page on moving in the canton of Geneva and see all the communes we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Cologny
Not necessarily. The hillsides have sloping roads and, depending on the property, narrow or private access. Give the exact address and the access details in your request: the removal companies will adapt the vehicle, or even plan a shuttle or a furniture lift.
Occupying the public road with a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior permission from the commune or the police. Find out a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date, especially if the street is narrow or busy.
It depends first of all on your lease: the notice period is three months for the local customary date or the end of a quarter, unless the contract provides for longer. If possible, avoid the very busy periods around lease dates, and keep some leeway in winter because of snow on the slopes.
Report your departure in 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. You can often report online through eMoving (eUmzugCH). Also tell your employer, bank and insurers.
Yes, professional removal companies in the area offer these specialist transports. State them in your request so that the quote takes the equipment and access into account. A furniture lift may also be needed depending on the floors.