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Moving to Switzerland From Canada

All About Costs, Requirements, and Checklist

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Moving to Switzerland from Canada is an incredible new experience and a huge next step in your life. However, it can also become quite challenging. Fortunately, this article is designed to provide you with the best information regarding costs and requirements, as well as a checklist to use when you start moving from Canada. 

Cost of Moving to Switzerland 

The average cost of moving from Canada to Switzerland is between $3,000 and $15,000 CAD. 

See the table below for more estimates based on the size of your household: 

Property Size  Vancouver to Switzerland (CAD)  Toronto to Switzerland (CAD) 
1 Bedroom  $3,000 – $5,000  $3,000 – $5,000 
2 Bedrooms  $3,700 – $4,200  $3,150 – $3,950 
3 Bedrooms  $4,900 – $5,400  $4,200 – $5,100 
4 Bedrooms  $5,900 – $6,300  $5,000 – $5,400 
5 Bedrooms  $7,000 – $15,000  $7,000 – $15,000 

Note: These are mere estimates.  

Request Moving Quotes 

For a more accurate price, you must use our furniture volume calculator in order to estimate the size of your move and request quotes from our moving companies. 

Click the button below and request up to 5 free moving quotes! 

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Shipping Container to Switzerland 

If you are planning on shipping a container to Switzerland, here are the estimated costs based on the container size: 

Container Size  Estimated Cost (CAD) 
20 ft  $1,150 – $3,250 
40 ft  $2,150 – $4,850 

Note: These are mere estimates. Prices might vary depending on your location. Check out Container Shipping in Canada for more details. 

International Removals to Switzerland 

Choosing trustworthy movers to Switzerland can be confusing and frustrating. Thankfully, we are collaborating with some of the best international removals to Switzerland: 

 

  

 

 

What Should Be Your Next Steps? 

  1. Use our Furniture Volume Calculator to estimate the size of your belongings. 
  2. Request Quotes from the International Removals to Switzerland to get offers. 

 

Cost of Living in Switzerland 

The average cost of living in Switzerland per month is somewhere between $3,900 and $9,400 CAD. 

Here is a breakdown of the monthly expenses based on your household type: 

Household Type  Switzerland (CAD)  Canada (CAD) 
Single Person  $3,900 – $4,000  $3,300 – $4,300 
Family of 4  $10,000 – $10,100  $7,300 – $9,400 

See the table below for a breakdown of prices in Switzerland compared to Canada: 

Expense Category  Canada (CAD)  Switzerland (CAD) 
Rent  $1,220  ~$2,175 
Monthly Public Transport   $105  ~$122 
Groceries (Bread, 1 Loaf)  $2.48  ~$4.88 
Dining Out (Inexpensive Meal)  $16.37  ~$37.05 
Utilities (Monthly, 85 m² Apt)  $184  ~$280 

Source: Numbeo 

Switzerland Visa Requirements For Canadian Citizens 

It is very important to know which visa is required for Switzerland for Canadians. Depending on your purpose of stay, here are the main types of visa that you should focus on: 

  • National Visa (Type D) – Suitable for all kinds of purposes such as work, family reunification, and study. It is meant for people who will exceed 90 days of stay. 
  • Work Visa – Meant for people who are moving to Switzerland from Canada for work purposes. 
  • Authorized Visa – You can only apply for this visa type if you have received authorization for your residence or work permit from the cantonal migration office. 

Documents Required For Switzerland Visa 

  • Completed Visa D application form (signed and dated) 
  • Valid passport (min. 3 months beyond stay, 2 blank pages) 
  • 2 recent passport photos (biometric standard) 
  • Visa fee payment (amount varies) 

For the full list of the documents needed, please visit the official Federal Council of Switzerland page. 

Are You Moving to Switzerland With Pets? 

If yes, then you should keep the following aspects in mind: 

  • Microchip: The pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip. 
  • Valid Rabies Vaccination: Administered after microchipping. Must be at least 21 days old before entry and valid at the time of travel. 
  • Health Certificate (Veterinary Certificate): Issued by a licensed vet and endorsed by CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency). Must be completed within 10 days of travel. 
  • Entry Notification: Declare the pet to Swiss Customs upon arrival. 
  • Limit: Max 5 pets 

Check out the Federal Council of Switzerland for more information. 

Are You Moving to Switzerland With Family? 

  • Residence Permit
    Each family member (spouse, children) needs to apply for a residence permit (Type D Visa). Applications are made through the Swiss consulate in Canada or the canton authorities upon arrival in Switzerland. 
  • Proof of Relationship
    You’ll need to provide marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children. Documents must be translated into one of Switzerland’s official languages. 
  • Health Insurance
    All family members must have Swiss health insurance within 3 months of arrival. 
  • Financial Proof
    You must show proof of financial means to support your family during the stay (e.g., bank statements, job contract). 
  • Accommodation
    Provide proof of suitable housing, such as a rental agreement or proof of property ownership in Switzerland. 
  • Children’s Education
    If applicable, arrange for school enrolment for children. 

Contact the Consulate in Vancouver for more details. 

Living in Switzerland  

Switzerland is famous for its rich and beautiful culture. Having a high-quality lifestyle, living in Switzerland as a Canadian can be very exciting. 

Keep reading to find out other aspects you should consider when moving from Canada to Switzerland. 

Taxes in Switzerland 

The overall tax rates imposed in Switzerland are around 10-30% lower than in Canada. 

See the table below for the breakdown of the tax rates: 

Taxable Income (CAD)  Canada – Tax Rate (%)  Switzerland – Tax Rate (%) 
Up to $27,750  15.00%  0.00% 
$27,751 – $49,800  15.00%  0.77% – 0.88% 
$49,801 – $65,250  20.50%  2.64% – 2.97% 
$65,251 – $123,000  26.00%  5.94% – 8.80% 
$123,001 – $212,250  29.00%  11.00% 
Over $212,250  33.00%  11.50% (federal max) 

Sources: Government of Canada, Federal Council of Switzerland 

Pros And Cons of Living in Switzerland 

Pros

 High quality of life
 Excellent public transportation
 Low crime rates
 Access to stunning nature
 Competitive salaries in many industries

Cons

 High cost of living
 Language barriers depending on the region
 Difficult job market for non-EU citizens
 Complex bureaucracy
 Limited housing availability

Best Places to Live in Switzerland For English Speakers 

  • Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, holding great work opportunities, where English is widespread.
  • Geneva is known for being a global city, where English is commonly spoken, especially in professional settings.
  • Basel, famous for its pharmaceutical industry, is widely spoken in English, mostly amongst expats.

Safety in Switzerland 

Switzerland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Their emergency departments are well-organized, and violent crimes are very rare. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing could happen in cities where tourism is at its peak. 

Overall, safety in Switzerland may not always be guaranteed, however, it is definitely a safe place to live in. 

Moving to Switzerland Checklist 

  1. Read more about Moving Abroad on our website to get a good idea of the moving process and all its steps. 
  2. Start doing you research and familiarize yourself with the lifestyle in Switzerland. Learn about their culture and customs, as it will help you have less of a cultural shock.  
  3. Get informed on the documents necessary for your move, such as visas, travel documents, etc. Store them somewhere safe until you start moving. 
  4. Go through all your belongings and start decluttering. It will make it much easier when you start packing. 
  5. Start packing ASAP! It can become very frustrating and overwhelming if you leave the packing until the end. 
  6. Take a moment and appreciate this new transition in your life. It doesn’t happen every day. 

Are You Ready?  

Thank you for making it to the end of our article. We hope you got all the information you were looking for, and we wish you all the best on your upcoming journey! 

Frequently asked questions

Why are salaries so high in Switzerland?

Do Canadians need visa for Switzerland?

Is it safe to live in Switzerland?

Can you drive in Switzerland with a Canadian license?