If your employee is moving to Lucerne, a relocation service is the practical layer between the employment contract and a working household. It covers immigration paperwork, housing, registration and the first weeks on site. This page explains what a relocation service in Lucerne typically includes, what your transferee can handle alone, and how timing works for an assignment that starts abroad.
Swiss Relocation Agency does not carry out these tasks itself. It is a matching service: it works with leading relocation companies in Switzerland and, depending on your request, puts you in touch with the one that fits the brief.
What a relocation service in Lucerne covers
Scope varies by policy. Most mandates combine some of the following building blocks.
- Immigration support. Preparing the permit file with the employer, tracking the application, and explaining the result to the transferee.
- Home search. Briefing, viewings, lease review and handover. See home search service for the full scope.
- Temporary housing. A bridge between arrival and the start of a lease. See temporary housing service.
- Settling-in. Municipal registration, bank account, health insurance and schools. See settling-in service.
- Family and partner support. Orientation, school search and integration. See spouse and partner support and school search service.
- Departure. Lease termination, deregistration and repatriation. See departure service.
Your policy decides which blocks are paid by the company and which are left to the employee, for example under a lump sum.
What your transferee can do alone
Some tasks need little outside help. A confident transferee can usually read the municipal registration requirements, open a bank account and compare insurers without support.
Other tasks are harder from abroad. A permit file depends on the employer. A lease usually requires local documents. Viewings need someone on site. The more of these your assignment includes, the more a specialist saves your HR team time.
When a specialist makes sense
Consider a specialist when at least one of these applies:
- The transferee comes from a non-EU/EFTA country and the permit route is not straightforward.
- The family has school-age children and a fixed start date.
- The transferee has never lived in Switzerland and cannot travel for viewings.
- Several employees arrive in the same period (see group relocation).
- Your policy promises a defined standard of service and needs consistent delivery.
For a wider view of the process, read how to relocate staff to Switzerland and relocation services in Switzerland.
Immigration: two regimes
Swiss admission rules distinguish two regimes: nationals of EU/EFTA states, and nationals of third states. The conditions for third-state nationals are detailed and set by the authorities. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) publishes the general framework on its page for the admission of workers. Your specialist explains how it applies to the case. For support on this step, see immigration support.
| Aspect | EU/EFTA nationals | Third-state nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Legal route | Agreement on free movement | Federal foreigners law |
| Who files | Depends on the case | Usually the employer |
| Early step | Confirm route with the authority | Check the file with a specialist |
The permit itself is a decision of the authorities. A relocation service prepares and follows the file. It does not decide the outcome.
Local context in Lucerne
Lucerne had 86,699 permanent residents in 2025, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Of these, 24,439 were foreign nationals, or 28.2%, again per the FSO. Your transferee will therefore arrive in a city where international residents are common.
Housing is the item most employers ask about. The average net rent of a three-room flat in the city was CHF 1,458 (FSO, 2022-2024 combined). That is an order of magnitude, not an offer. Actual rents depend on the building, the location and the date of the lease. The cantonal vacancy rate was 0.7% on 1 June 2026 (FSO), so a timely search matters. For method, read apartment search in Switzerland. To understand the destination, see relocating employees to Lucerne. The cantonal migration office is the Dienststelle Migration (Kanton Luzern), listed by the SEM.
Timing: from the signed contract to the first month
Timing should be planned backwards from the start date. Some deadlines are fixed. Others depend on the canton or the commune.
Two deadlines matter on arrival. Registration with the commune is generally due within 14 days. The exact rule can differ by commune, so confirm it with the commune. Basic health insurance must be taken out within three months of taking up residence. If your employee meets that deadline, cover is backdated to the date of residence and premiums are due from then. If not, cover starts at affiliation and a surcharge may apply.
How the matching works
The process has three steps:
- You describe the assignment through the request: origin, family, start date and scope.
- The request is reviewed and matched with the relocation company suited to the brief.
- That company contacts you for a first discussion on scope and timing.
See how it works for details. Questions worth putting to any provider: which services are included, who is the named contact, what is the reporting rhythm, and how a change of start date is handled.
Planning checklist for HR
- Confirm the nationality and permit route of your transferee
- Define which services your policy covers
- Set the start date and the latest date for housing
- List family members and school needs
- Agree who files the permit and who tracks it
- Plan registration and health insurance in the first weeks
Frequently asked questions
What is a relocation service in Lucerne?
It is a package of support for a person moving to Lucerne from abroad. It usually covers permits, housing, registration and settling-in. The scope is set by your policy.
Does Swiss Relocation Agency carry out the relocation?
No. It is a matching service. It connects your request with a relocation company that fits the brief.
Do I need a relocation service for every employee?
No. Policies often reserve it for non-EU/EFTA hires, families or senior assignments. Others use a lump sum.
Who applies for the work permit?
For third-state nationals, usually the employer. The authorities decide. A specialist examines your case and explains the steps.
How long does registration with the commune take?
Registration is generally due within 14 days of arrival. The rule can vary by commune, so confirm it locally.
When must health insurance start?
Basic insurance must be taken out within three months of taking up residence. Cover is then backdated to the residence date.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
Cover begins at affiliation. A premium surcharge may apply, and the cantonal authority may assign an insurer.
Can my employee search for a flat from abroad?
It is possible but difficult. Viewings and local documents usually need someone on site. A home search service fills that gap.
Is housing easy to find in Lucerne?
The cantonal vacancy rate was 0.7% on 1 June 2026 (FSO). Start early and prepare the file before arrival.
Does the service include tax or legal advice?
Rules differ by situation. A specialist reviews the case; this page gives only general information.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on scope and provider. It is discussed in the first exchange after your request.
Can family members be supported too?
Yes, if your policy includes it. Typical areas are schools, orientation and partner support.
Sources
- Federal Statistical Office (FSO), permanent resident population
- Federal Statistical Office (FSO), average net rents
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), cantonal migration authorities
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), admission of workers
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), compulsory health insurance