Moving to Morat is not like moving in an area of modern apartment blocks: between the medieval ramparts of the old town, the villa districts and the market-garden countryside around the small town, access changes a great deal from one address to the next. To move to Morat without nasty surprises, it is best to plan parking, floors and dates well in advance. A removal company from the region knows this kind of terrain, and you can compare several free quotes with a single request.
Morat: a small bilingual town between ramparts, villas and countryside
Morat is a small bilingual town on the shores of Lake Morat, in the Lake district, in the heart of the canton of Fribourg. Its centre is enclosed by its medieval ramparts, and the Battle of Morat of 1476 took place close by: history is part of everyday life here, and it shows in the architecture of the homes.
For a move, there are broadly three types of area:
- The old town: old townhouses, narrow lanes, sometimes steep staircases and homes spread over several levels, often without a lift.
- The villa districts: detached houses, generally with more open access, but with cellars, attics and gardens to factor into the volume to be transported.
- The market-garden countryside of the Seeland: farms, isolated houses and farm tracks, where the size of the lorry and the state of the track matter more than the number of floors.
As the town is bilingual, you can write your request and communicate with the movers in French or German, whichever you are more comfortable with.
Access, parking and floors in Morat
In a fortified old town, access is the first question to settle. Narrow streets and the historic centre often limit the size of the lorry: you sometimes have to park some distance from the door and carry boxes and furniture over a longer route. This carrying distance and the number of steps directly affect how long the job takes, and therefore the quote.
A few points to check before moving day:
- Staircases and width of passages: in a townhouse, measure the stairs, landings and doors to find out whether a large sofa, wardrobe or bed will fit through.
- Furniture lift: when the staircase is too narrow or winding, a furniture lift lets you go through the window or balcony. It needs space on the street to be set up.
- Parking: a lorry, furniture lift or skip occupying the public road may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Find out a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure.
- Villa districts and countryside: access is generally simpler, but check the width of the track, the bends and where the lorry will be able to manoeuvre.
Mention these constraints in your request: a mover who knows in advance that there are lanes, floors without a lift or a long carry can size the team and equipment better.
When to move to Morat: lease dates and season
For a rented home, the tenant can terminate the 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. The customary dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and find out about local custom. The guide on moving dates in Switzerland will help you find your way.
The periods close to these dates are the most in demand: removal companies are very busy then, and booking early improves your chances of getting the date you want. If you can, a mid-week day or one outside month-ends is often easier to fit in.
As for the season, take the weather into account: in summer, the heat tires the teams and damages some sensitive items; in winter, cold or ice make old staircases and lanes more difficult. Allow some margin if your move depends on a narrow street or a furniture lift.
Formalities for a move to Morat
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the old commune, arrival in the new one, within the deadline set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online through eMoving (eUmzugCH); check whether this is possible for your commune of departure and arrival.
Other points not to forget:
- Terminating the lease: notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). For the family home, a tenant who is married or in a registered partnership needs the express consent of their spouse or partner (art. 266m and 266n CO).
- Leaving before the end date: a tenant who does not respect the notice period or date can be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant, willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). See the guide on terminating a lease in Switzerland.
- Rental deposit: it cannot exceed three months’ rent for a home (art. 257e CO) and it is paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name.
- Change of address: bank, insurance, employer, subscriptions, health insurer.
- Move-out inspection (état des lieux): when handing the home back, plan for a thorough clean.
If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, the formalities change: customs for the goods transported, residence permit depending on your situation. A mover specialising in international moving will be able to tell you which documents to prepare.
Useful services for moving to Morat
Residential moving
Studio in the old town, family flat or villa: residential moving adapts to the volume, the floors and the access. Describe the layout of each address clearly to get a realistic quote.
Furniture lift
In a townhouse with narrow stairs, a furniture lift avoids forcing bulky furniture through. It requires a suitable spot in front of the façade, which may involve a permit to occupy the public road.
Packing and unpacking
Old houses often mean many trips back and forth. Using packing and unpacking services protects crockery, frames and fragile items, and saves time on moving day.
Furniture assembly and disassembly
On narrow staircases, taking large furniture apart is sometimes the only solution. Furniture assembly and disassembly lets you get it out and put it back together on arrival.
Storage
If the departure and arrival dates do not coincide, or if the new home is smaller, storage lets you keep part of your belongings temporarily.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand the home back in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning prepares the move-out inspection.
Request a quote
- You describe your move online: departure and arrival addresses, volume, floors, access, preferred date.
- Professional removal companies from the region contact you, possibly for a visit to assess the premises.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not.
Ready to start? You can request a quote in a few minutes.
Around Morat
If your project concerns the surrounding area, see our pages on Mont-Vully and Fribourg. For an overview, see moving in the canton of Fribourg or all the communes covered.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Morat
It depends on the street and the address. In a historic centre with narrow lanes, the lorry sometimes has to park at a distance, which lengthens the carry. State the exact address in your request so that the mover can plan a suitable vehicle.
Occupying the public road with a lorry, furniture lift or skip may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Check with the commune a few days, or even a few weeks, before the moving date.
The periods around lease dates are the busiest, as many tenants move at the same time. Booking early helps. Also think about the weather: heat in summer, cold or ice on staircases and lanes in winter.
Report your departure and arrival to the residents' registration office, within the deadline set by the canton, often online via eMoving (eUmzugCH). Also remember to terminate your lease in writing and to give your new address to your organisations.
A furniture lift if the stairs are narrow, disassembly of large furniture, packing of fragile items and, depending on the dates, storage. State these needs in your request to get a suitable free quote.