Prepare your arrival in Switzerland

Learning about Swiss culture

This first step is to introduce you to Swiss culture and its local specificities. You will become accustomed with the Swiss way of doing things within a few hours!

  • A tailor-made program, based on your points of interest. It is suitable for the entire family and can be conducted online with one of our senior consultants prior to your arrival.
  • A complete immersion into Swiss local culture: politics, the economy, languages, lifestyle, etc.

Orientation tour

The orientation tour is an important step to help familiarize yourself with your new environment.

  • The orientation tour consists of discovering the region, canton, city, as well as potential neighborhoods
  • We provide you with an overview of the local real estate market and explain the rental application process
  • We offer an insightful exchange with your home search consultant conducted in a welcoming environment

Tax assistance

Lodge Relocation will put you in touch with a reliable tax specialist.

  • A collective briefing on the fundamentals of Swiss taxation
  • A customized analysis of your fiscal situation and what you will need to undertake
  • A tailor-made service based and adapted to your needs (including your tax declaration)

Arrival at airport/train station

Lodge Relocation can arrange the pick-up of your arrival in Switzerland.

  • One of our trusted partners can pick you up and take you to your final destination
  • The chauffeur will assist you with your luggage
Contact us for further information

Family support

Schooling and childcare

This service facilitates the integration of your family and children into the Swiss private and public school system. A dedicated consultant will take you through each step.

  • Personalized service
  • Presentation of the various schooling options (public, private, international)
  • Schedule visits of selected schools
  • Assist, should you wish, at the school meetings/registration

Spousal support

This program assists your spouse to help them familiarize themselves with their new environment.

  • A smooth integration with personalized guidance
  • Information on daily lifestyle activities: sports, cultural outings, language courses, searching for a new job, administrative assistance, etc.

Pet formalities

Lodge Relocation assists with administrative formalities to import one’s pet into Switzerland.

  • Compliance with Swiss import regulations
  • Information about administrative formalities that need to be handled prior to your arrival
  • Support with local administrative procedures

Language courses

Lodge Relocation proposes and coordinates language learning courses by selecting multiple offers from our partners, allowing you to choose the most suitable solution adapted to your needs.

  • Language learning courses adapted to your needs and based on your budget  
  • Individual, family, or corporate learning options
Contact us for further information

Home search

Temporary accommodation

The ideal solution for a transitional period until finding your permanent home.

We search for a temporary furnished apartment based on your needs and criteria.

  • Selection and visits of apartments based on defined criteria
  • Handle all administrative formalities with rental agency (signing of lease, rental deposit, rental payment)
  • Organize entry inspection, key handover, final cleaning and exit inspection

Final property

We accompany you from A – Z in the search of your final property!

  • Overview of local real estate market
  • In-depth discussion with clients regarding their housing criteria and budget
  • Property selection and organization of visits
  • Tailored guidance and follow-up of your file (lease negotiation, bank guarantee, personal liability insurance, etc.) leading up to key handover

Move-in formalities

This is the final step before moving into your new home here:

  • Conducting the entry inspection
  • Advice on personal liability and housing insurance
  • Registering you with local electricity and internet providers
  • Providing you with the essential information for your move to Switzerland

Office search

Lodge Relocation’s Office Search program offers a structured approach to finding suitable office spaces that meet a company’s specific requirements.

  • Define and outline your office space needs based on your budget, style and location preferences, and required size
  • Bespoke real estate solutions aligned with your brand image, culture, and your company’s strategic goals
  • End-to-end transaction management (lease negotiation, bank guarantee, personal liability insurance) and assistance leading up to key handover

Purchasing a property

Lodge Relocation assists clients in purchasing a property in today’s competitive housing market.

  • Dedicated support from your consultant at every stage of your project
  • Understanding your criteria: location, size, budget and architectural style
  • Access to the best market and off-market opportunities through our strong network of real estate agencies and property owners

Administrative assistance

Our team manages all scheduling, necessary paperwork, and guides you through every administrative step that needs to be handled.

  • Health insurance
  • Opening of your bank account

Tenancy management

Lodge Relocation handles the rental management of your property while you are on a short-term assignment abroad.

  • Administrative support
  • Liaise with real estate agency or landlord
Contact us for further information

Moving services

Move management

Benefiting from our exclusive partnerships with reputable moving companies, we can offer you a smooth household shipment of your personal goods.

  • We obtain several quotes from our reputable moving partners – Swiss and international
  • A thorough follow-up from A to Z

Rental furniture

Lodge Relocation offers an efficient solution to furnish your new home on a long-term basis or whilst awaiting the arrival of your shipment.

  • Collaboration with our preferred specialized partners with quality furniture
  • 3D furniture layout and modeling service
  • Furniture delivery and installation

Vehicle importation and driving licences

Lodge Relocation will guide you throughout the process.

  • Changing your current driver’s license into a Swiss one
  • Formalities pertaining to importing your car into Switzerland
  • Accompany you to the local Swiss driving center “Service des Automobiles”
Contact us for further information

Departure services

With or without a new tenant search

Our consultants will assist you and your family when vacating your home and leaving Switzerland.

  • Organize preliminary and final exit inspections
  • Lease cancellation
  • New tenant search for a lease takeover
Contact us for further information

Corporate relocation management

External management expenses

Lodge centralizes and manages all expenses pertaining to an employee’s relocation based on the company’s requirements.

  • Expense management: travel expenses, rental payments of temporary accommodation, cleaning fees, work permit requests, etc. 
  • A centralized client expense management system

Corporate accommodation management

Lodge Relocation handles corporate accommodation for clients’ employees.

  • Selection of furnished apartments and lease management
  • Entry and exit inspection management
  • Intermediate household organization

Group move

Lodge Relocation is specialized in company group moves – companies relocating their headquarters abroad and vice versa, as well as within Switzerland.

  • Lodge Relocation has assisted over 10 companies for their group moves within several cantons in Switzerland – approximately 200 families per group move
  • A move adapted to your needs and requirements
  • Our utmost support to your employees

Client follow-up

Lodge Relocation works in tandem with client HR to ensure a smooth relocation for their employees.

  • Weekly updates for each employee
  • Access to our interactive digital platform for real-time follow-up
  • Ongoing communication between Lodge Relocation and HR teams regarding their employees’ relocations
Contact us for further information

Client feedback

Each step of the home search process and advice regarding administrative formalities, was handled with remarkable efficiency.

We contacted Lodge Relocation for our move, and we are extremely satisfied with their services!

From the very beginning of our search, Virginie was professional, and listened to our needs and requirements. We would like to thank her wholeheartedly for her kindness.

Thanks to their expertise, our transition was smooth and stress-free, and we were able to move into our new home in a serene manner.

A big thank you for their personalized support and their dedication, and it goes without saying that we recommend their services!

David – Google review

Your questions about relocation services

What is the average amount of time required to help me find a new home?

Every situation is unique (single or family move, your housing budget, your criteria, your wish list..). It takes on average approximately 1 1/2 months, and in some cases within 2 weeks up to 4 months.

What are the steps involved in a home search?

Upon receiving your request, we have a discussion to understand your needs and criteria (type of property, location, housing budget, etc.).

We will prepare your home search according to your housing criteria and budget. Visits will be organized to view the properties (your consultant can also visit them on your behalf). Your consultant will also send through your applications to real estate agencies and landlords, handle lease negotiation, conduct the entry inspection and accompany you through all administrative formalities, including setting up electricity and internet services.

How much does a home search cost?

As each situation is unique, we do not publish our rates. Please contact us via our form online and one of our team members will be delighted to provide you with further information.

Will I require a guarantor for my search?

In most cases, you will not be required to have a guarantor for your search. However, you may be required to provide one in case your salary is not sufficient to cover your monthly rent or if you have just arrived in Switzerland. Your guarantor is responsible for covering the risk of unpaid rent.

What happens if my search is not successful?

Due to our extensive network and market expertise, unsuccessful home searches are extremely rare. If a solution doesn’t immediately meet your criteria, we continuously refine our search, explore temporary options, and remain fully committed until the right property is secured for you.

Is there a follow-up after the key handover?

Our team will assist you with any unforeseen issues you may have during the first 30 days after your move-in to ensure that your settling-in will be as smooth as possible.

How do I know if my file is solvent?

Prior to commencing with your search, we will ensure that your file is solvent to be able to submit it to real estate agencies and landlords.

We need to check:

  • Your gross salary/annual revenue (equivalent to either ¼ or 1/3 of your monthly rent depending on who the real estate agency is)
  • Your length of employment with your current company
  • Copies of the following documents: your ID, work contract, “attestation de non-poursuites”, etc.

Should any further documentation be required to optimize your application (a guarantor, motivation letter, etc.), we will inform you. Our goal is to maximize your chances of securing a home quickly.

How does Lodge Relocation organise my visits? Do you also have access to a pool of “off market” properties?

We are proactive in our search:

  • We are in direct contact with real estate agencies
  • We have our own network of landlords and partners
  • We filter online housing platforms (Homegate, Immoscout, etc.)
  • Access to off-market properties

Properties are selected based on your criteria (budget, location, schooling, etc.)

Are visits accompanied?

Yes, visits are accompanied and arranged by your designated consultant based on your availability.

  • Your consultant will assist you during property visits
  • Visits can be conducted remotely if you are unable to attend in person
  • Your designated consultant will share videos/photos of the property she will be visiting for you in case you cannot attend

In certain cases, a consultant will prepare visits for the client, and the client will visit them directly.

How do I avoid property scams?

Never visit a property when a broker requests that you transfer money beforehand. Beware of very low rents or brokers who are located outside Switzerland.

How quickly will you receive a response from the real estate agency regarding my application?

In most cases you will receive a response within a range of 3 – 10 days. However, it may sometimes take longer depending on the owner and how many applications they have received.

We are in regular contact with the real estate agency regarding any application and will keep you informed of any updates.

When do I need to pay my rent?

One’s rent needs to be paid at the latest by the 1st of each month. We highly recommend that you set up a standing order with your bank. Some real estate agencies request certain specificities regarding the payment of one’s rent (i.e. it needs to be done via e-banking, or a standing bank order, etc.)

How do I obtain my “attestation de non-poursuite”?

Real estate agencies and property owners require an “attestation de non-poursuite” which states that you do not have any outstanding debts, to consider your application.

This is required for a property application even if you have only just arrived in Switzerland. Your consultant will guide you accordingly as to how you will be able to obtain your attestation.

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