For many, it sounds like a distant dream, for some it becomes reality: leaving Switzerland behind and moving abroad. Are you going on a humanitarian mission? Each case is unique and the reasons are numerous: but as exciting as this new adventure may seem, moving abroad involves a lot of paperwork and organisation. There are a lot of logistical aspects to this departure that depend on several factors. In this article, we give you all the aspects to take into account and the steps to take before moving abroad.
Moving abroad: How do you know if you should sell, store or move your furniture?
One of the questions that will come up when planning your move abroad is “what do I do with my furniture? “To get organised, you need to ask yourself the right questions to plan your international move.
Are you moving to a neighbouring country, Europe or another continent?
Clearly, if you are moving to the USA for six months, you are not going to take your dresser and sofa with you. It is better to find furnished accommodation for the period of your stay. Generally speaking, for a stay of a few months, it is better not to bother with furniture but to take only a few suitcases if you are going more than 800 or 1000 km away.
How long will you be gone?
Planning your move abroad will also depend on the length of your stay. If you are going to be away for up to 6 months, it is a hassle to sell all your furniture and buy more when you return. This can be very expensive. However, if you are going to be away for two years, then it is probably worth selling everything and buying it back or moving your furniture and belongings if you are going to rent empty accommodation.
Request free quotes for your move abroad and you will receive quotes quickly to calculate your costs.
What is the value of your furniture?
You risk losing a lot of money if you sell a new piece of furniture that you paid a lot for. But if you only have second-hand furniture, is it really worth paying hundreds of francs every month to store it?
Also, don’t just think about the price you paid for your furniture, but how much you will have to buy it back. Maybe you won’t be lucky enough to find a great second-hand sofa for CHF 50 when you come back from your trip. You’ll probably have to buy it new, so do a simulation of everything you’ll have to buy back when you return.
Where can you store your furniture?
That’s the big question, if you don’t get rid of your furniture, what can you do with it? There are several options: you can ask your relatives to store your furniture in their garage (for a fee or a lot of gratitude). You can also rent storage space in a furniture repository or with a private individual.
You can make an online simulation for a period of 3 months, 6 months or 1 year with the volume you wish to store.
Keep in mind that you can also ask a removal company to transport your furniture to a furniture repository and to transport it to your new home once you return to Switzerland.
Once you have answered all these questions, you can make a plan for your departure.
What steps and documents are required to move abroad?
Make sure you have all the necessary documents before you leave:
- Passport/ID card: yours is only valid for three months? You have to redo your identity papers
- Visas: depending on your destination country, you may need a VISA.
- Medication: if you need certain medicines, it’s a good idea to get the prescriptions translated so you can get exactly what you need abroad. Oh yes, and don’t forget your vaccination booklet.
Make sure you have international health insurance
Good health insurance is essential to move abroad! Imagine not having enough cover and falling ill in your host country. An operation, an ambulance: it can quickly cost an arm and a leg. Take the time to find out what cover you need.
Discuss with your health insurance company whether it is worthwhile to take out international health insurance in Switzerland and also look at what is possible in your host country.
Moving abroad with pets
Even your pets must be vaccinated before moving abroad. This is to prevent the introduction and spread of rabies. Depending on the country, you will need a vaccination booklet specific to the animal, which you can obtain from your vet. The veterinarian will certify that your pet has received a valid rabies vaccination. In some countries, anti-parasite treatments, for example, are mandatory before leaving the country. Some countries even impose a time limit on pet owners between the date of removal and the last vaccination.
Note also that not all animals are allowed in all countries, for example, German legislation prohibits the import of Pit Bull Terriers.
Are you moving with your pets? Find out everything you need to know for a smooth move with your pets.
Customs when moving abroad
Within Europe, customs are now relatively flexible. If you are staying in this area, only the customs documents between Switzerland and the EU need to be completed. The most important thing is to have a detailed list of your inventory, for example the number of moving boxes you are taking with you or the make of your bicycles. A move within Europe can therefore be organised relatively quickly, but it still requires a few administrative steps, which differ depending on the country of destination.
Compare different moving companies and find the best price/quality ratio. You will avoid the stress and effort of moving and customs paperwork.
If you are moving outside of Europe, the process can get even more complicated. In any case, don’t hesitate to turn to a professional removal company that will take care of all the customs formalities.
Goodbye: the last steps before moving abroad
You have emptied your flat and are leaving Switzerland. Last step: the inventory of fixtures where you will have to ask for a certificate of departure. Have you cancelled all your subscriptions? Yes? Then it’s time to quickly change your address so that no mail gets lost.
Is everything settled? All that’s left is to wish you a pleasant stay.
