Relocation services in Zürich are a bundle of practical tasks that surround a transfer: immigration paperwork, finding a home, schools, registration on arrival and settling in. For an HR or mobility manager, the question is not whether the tasks exist. It is which ones your policy covers, which ones your team handles, and which ones a specialist provider takes over.
This site does not carry out these tasks itself. It is a matching service. A request describes the transfer, and the site puts you in contact with the relocation company that fits it.
What a relocation service in Zürich usually covers
Scope differs from one provider to another. Most services are built from the same modules:
- Immigration support: preparing the permit file with the employer, following it with the cantonal authority, and tracking the transferee's arrival date. See immigration support.
- Home search: briefing, viewings, rental file, lease review and handover. See home search.
- Temporary housing: a furnished base while the long-term home is found. See temporary housing.
- School search: shortlisting schools for the transferee's children. See school search.
- Settling-in: registration, insurance, bank account, transport and orientation. See settling-in support.
- Family support: help for a spouse or partner. See spouse and partner support.
- Departure: end-of-assignment tasks. See departure service.
A whole programme is described on the corporate relocation service page. The national picture is on relocation services in Switzerland.
Why Zürich changes the brief
Zürich is a canton and a city, and the two matter for different reasons. The cantonal migration office, the Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich, handles permit files for the canton. The city and the surrounding communes handle registration of residence.
Zürich also draws many international assignees, so the rental market is busy. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reported a vacancy rate of 0.52% for the canton on 1 June 2026. A home search therefore needs a realistic timetable and a flexible start date.
Schooling is another local factor. International schools sit mostly in the wider agglomeration, such as Zumikon, Wädenswil, Kilchberg, Adliswil and Wallisellen, rather than in the city itself. Commuting patterns therefore influence where a family looks for a home. The Zürich or Geneva and Zug or Zürich pages help when the location is still open.
What your team can keep in-house
Many employers keep part of the work. A sensible split depends on volume, internal expertise and the transferee's seniority.
Tasks that internal teams often retain:
- the employment contract and assignment letter;
- the decision on policy tier and budget;
- payroll, tax equalisation and social security coordination;
- the first-day welcome at the workplace.
Tasks that are often outsourced:
- viewings and negotiation with landlords;
- school visits and applications;
- registration appointments and follow-up with authorities;
- household goods coordination and temporary housing.
Free tools can support the in-house part. Use the permit finder, the relocation calendar and the personalised checklist generator. The rental file checker and school choice guide help before a specialist is involved.
Rules that shape the timetable
Three rules affect any Zürich relocation plan. They are stated here in general terms. A specialist examines the individual case.
Permit regime. Switzerland applies two regimes: one for EU/EFTA nationals, under the free movement agreement, and one for third-country nationals. The conditions differ, and the authorities decide each file. See the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for the official description.
Arrival registration. Registration with the commune takes place within 14 days of arrival. The exact period can vary by commune or canton, and it is confirmed locally. Documents usually requested are an identity document, the permit and proof of health insurance.
Health insurance. Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence. If the deadline is met, cover is retroactive to the date of arrival. If it is missed, cover starts at affiliation and a surcharge can apply, as described by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
How the request process works
The request form sits at the bottom of the page. See also how it works.
How to choose a provider
Compare providers on the same questions. The answers show how a service will work in practice.
- Which modules are included, and which are optional?
- Who is the single point of contact for the transferee?
- How are permit steps coordinated with the employer?
- What reporting does the HR team receive?
- How does the provider handle a family with school-age children?
- What happens if the start date moves?
- How is the provider paid: per service, by package or by a lump sum?
Ask for the answers in writing. A clear scope document prevents disputes about what counted as included.
Managed service or lump sum
A managed service gives the transferee a provider who organises the steps. A lump sum gives a budget and leaves the organisation to the employee. Managed support suits complex moves with families or tight dates. A lump sum suits experienced movers with simple needs. Many policies mix the two, using managed support for immigration and housing, and a lump sum for the rest.
Common mistakes
- Starting the home search before the permit timeline is clear.
- Treating school applications as a late task.
- Leaving health insurance until after the deadline.
- Assuming a service scope without a written list.
- Sending the transferee without a temporary housing plan.
Frequently asked questions
What are relocation services in Zürich?
They are services that support a transfer to the Zürich area: immigration help, home search, schools, registration and settling in. Providers combine these modules according to the policy.
Does this site provide the relocation service itself?
No. It is a matching service. The site reviews the request and connects it with a relocation company suited to the need.
Who can submit a request?
HR and mobility teams submit most requests. A transferee can also describe a move, with the employer's agreement on scope.
Which services can be requested?
Immigration support, home search, temporary housing, school search, settling-in, family support and departure support. A request can include one module or several.
Does the site name the providers?
No. Providers are not listed or ranked. The matching depends on the request.
How long does the first response take?
The timing depends on the request and on provider availability. The first conversation clarifies the next steps.
Can the service handle permit applications?
Permits are granted by the authorities, not by providers. A provider can support the file with the employer and follow the process. Outcomes depend on the cantonal authority.
When must health insurance be arranged?
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence. Cover is retroactive if the deadline is met.
When does the transferee register on arrival?
Registration with the commune is generally due within 14 days of arrival. The commune confirms its own rules and documents.
Is a lump sum cheaper than a managed service?
It depends on the policy and the profile of the transferee. Costs are not stated here. A specialist can describe the options once the brief is known.
Should a family use a school search service?
It is useful when children are involved, because international schools are spread across the agglomeration. See the school search service.
Can the same provider also help in other cities?
Some do, and some do not. The request states the cities involved. For another city, see relocation service in Lucerne.
Next step
Describe the transfer through request relocation support. A specialist then reviews the brief.