Welcome to Switzerland! Now… where do you start?

welcome CH

Moving to Switzerland is often the start of a great adventure — a new job, a new environment, and a country renowned for its quality of life and stability. However, between the excitement of change and the reality of daily life, the transition can quickly become a real challenge — especially when moving with a family.

Moving abroad is more than just a change of address

From the moment you arrive, a number of important steps await: securing the right residence permits, finding housing, registering with the local authorities and insurance providers, understanding the healthcare system...And when children are involved, there are additional questions around schooling, childcare, and social and linguistic integration.

Each canton has its own specificities: daycare and school admission criteria vary, waiting times can be long, and spots are often limited. Hiring domestic staff or a nanny is also subject to a precise legal framework — which many newcomers are unaware of.

The cultural… and administrative shock

Beyond adapting your lifestyle and habits, you also need to understand and adjust to a different administrative logic.In Switzerland, procedures are well-structured — but rarely centralised. You may find yourself juggling between cantonal offices, private insurance companies, social security authorities, and municipal regulations.

Often, all of this takes place in a language that may not (yet) be your own.

Plan ahead, tet informed… and ask for help.

What makes all the difference in an international move is preparation. That means:

• Learning how the local education and childcare systems work

• Understanding your obligations as a private employer (if you plan to hire household help)

• Anticipating administrative deadlines and enrollment periods

• Identifying reliable services and trusted local professionals

  
  

Need a helping hand?

For those who don’t have the time — or energy — to manage it all alone, there are specialised support services available.

FamilyPro is one such partner that can help you organise your family life smoothly as you settle in French-speaking Switzerland — from childcare and household help to administrative support and private staff recruitment.

Because moving to a new country shouldn't be synonymous with stress — but with peace of mind.