Which district is suitable for families in Sion?

If you would like to live somewhere quieter and more rural, look around Bramois , Salins or Uvrier , which lie on the edge of the city. The districts on the plain have short distances to the station and centre. Important for families is the choice of school stream – French, German or bilingual – and the route to the school centre.

How do I find a flat in Sion?

We do not give reliable current rent figures here. The city advises applying to the property management immediately after a viewing, with ID, residence permit, proof of income, a criminal record extract and a debt collection register extract. The deposit is usually three months' rent in a blocked account.

Which employers are there in Sion?

As the capital of Valais, Sion offers many jobs in the cantonal administration. The Hospital of Sion is one of the most important hospitals in the canton, and there are also universities of applied sciences, the SLF branch, and wine and fruit growing. If you commute within the region, you use the railway in the Rhône valley.

Are there colleges or universities in Sion?

Yes. Sion is home to the HES-SO Valais/Wallis and the Haute École de Musique. The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF runs a branch here. For a traditional university degree, many commute to larger cities in French-speaking Switzerland.

What are the transport links like in Sion?

Sion can be reached via two junctions on the A9 motorway, with main road 9 running parallel. The station lies on the line through the Rhône valley, and there is a small airport west of the city. Within the city, the Bus Sédunois runs four lines.

Why do many people move to Sion?

Many appreciate the sunny, dry climate – Sion and Zermatt are considered the sunniest places in Switzerland –, the old town with Valère and Tourbillon and the closeness to vineyards and mountains. Worth knowing: everyday life is mainly in French. The city invites newcomers to a free guided tour, and the "Pass Bienvenue" helps you get to know the place.

Do you also offer long-distance moves to Switzerland or from abroad to Sion?

Yes, we come from Berlin-Moabit and handle long-distance moves from Germany to Sion. You declare your household goods at the border as household removal goods with Form 18.44. Details can be found under long-distance move . If the volume is small, a shared load is possible.

Are my belongings insured during the move?

Yes, your belongings are covered under the HGB; the statutory liability is €620 per cubic metre (§ 451e HGB). For particularly valuable items you can take out additional insurance. It is best to document valuables with photos before your move to Sion .

How far in advance should I plan my move to Sion?

Plan your move to Sion as early as possible, especially around the turn of the month. That leaves time for the flat application, deposit, customs papers and registration within 14 days of arrival. We will discuss the exact lead time with you during the survey.

Do you also offer storage if my flat in Sion is not ready yet?

Yes, if your new flat is not yet ready to move into, interim storage of your belongings is possible. This lets you plan your move to Sion flexibly, even if the handover and moving-in dates do not quite match. Ask about it during the survey.

Do I need an appointment to register in Sion?

No. According to the Ville de Sion, the residents' registration office no longer works by appointment except in exceptional cases. The counters at Espace des Remparts 6 and Rue de Lausanne 23 are open without an appointment every morning from 8.30 to 11.30.

What applies to cars and driving licences when moving to Sion?

The city requires you to report your change of address within 14 days to the road traffic office if you have a driving licence or car. A foreign driving licence is valid for one year, after which you need a Swiss driving licence; recognition does not apply to all countries, and in some cases a driving test is required.

As a German, do I need a residence permit for Sion?

For EU/EFTA nationals with permanent employment or a fixed-term contract of at least 365 days, the State Secretariat for Migration lists the B permit, valid for five years. For employment of three months up to one year there is the L permit. For short-term work of less than three months per calendar year, the State Secretariat refers to an online notification procedure.

Are there welcome offers for newcomers in Sion?

Yes. After registering, the city invites you to a free guided tour with an apéritif (several times a year) and to the annual welcome evening with the authorities and local associations. The "Pass Bienvenue" is valid for one year from issue. Contact: integration@sion.ch, 027 324 15 41.

NEW IN VALAIS

Sion (Sitten) for newcomers: the capital of Valais between Valère Tourbillon and the Rhône

Q: How much does a move to Sion cost on average?

The cost of a move to Sion depends on the size of the flat, the distance and additional services such as packing or assembly; we charge from €3.80/km for long-distance moves. After the survey we give you a fixed price with no later surcharges, whether for a studio in the old town or a family home in Bramois. We do not give flat-rate average prices without a survey.

Sion for newcomers: the residents' registration office, schools with a German stream, districts and everyday life in the Rhône valley.

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CAPITAL OF VALAIS

Newcomer's Guide to Sion

Sion: two castle hills, lots of sunshine, French in everyday life

The first few weeks

Unsere Firma comes from Berlin-Moabit for your move to Valais and brings your household goods right into your new flat in Sion.

Sion, known in German as Sitten, is the capital of the canton of Valais and lies at around 510 metres on both banks of the Rhône. East of the old town rise the Valère hill with its basilica and the ruined Tourbillon castle, surrounded by vineyards. With 61 per cent relative sunshine duration, Sion and Zermatt are considered the sunniest places in Switzerland. French dominates everyday life: around 70 per cent speak it as their mother tongue, and only 3.8 per cent German. We handle the transport as a home removal.

Important for the first few days: according to the city, you report your arrival within 14 days to the residents' registration office, without an appointment in the morning. If your new flat is not yet free, interim storage is possible. We come from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21); the route and customs are described on our page Moving from Berlin to Sion. So nothing stands in the way of a good start in Valais.

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QUOTE AFTER A SURVEY

PERSONAL CONSULTATION

A no-obligation quote for your move to Sion

Fixed price after a survey, liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB)

Call us on 01625978461 and get an individual quote for your move to Sion. Whether it is a studio in the old town or a family home in Bramois – after the survey we calculate your fixed price based on volume, distance and additional services. Your belongings are covered under the HGB.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

How we prepare your move

Old town, access, customs papers

Sion has an old town with narrow lanes below Valère and Tourbillon, districts on the plain around the station and on the southern bank of the Rhône, and villages such as Bramois, Salins and Les Agettes. Before moving day we clarify access, the stopping place and carrying routes. When crossing the border you present Form 18.44 for household removal goods to customs. Your belongings are covered under the HGB, and we give you the fixed price after a survey – for your home removal to Sion.

Packing Service

We pack your household goods and label the boxes by room – so in your new flat in Sion everything ends up in the right place, thanks to our packing service.

Customs papers

Household removal goods (Übersiedlungsgut) are declared at the border with Form 18.44 and a list of your household items; we agree the border crossing and date with you – for a long-distance move.

Storage

If your flat in Sion is not yet free, we store your household goods in the meantime and deliver them on the agreed date – with our storage service.

Furniture assembly

We reassemble wardrobes, beds and shelves in Sion so that your new flat is quickly habitable – with our move with assembly service from a single provider.

FIRST STEPS

Your list for Sion

From the residents' registration office to the road traffic office: these points belong on your list after moving to Sion. We calculate the transport after the survey with a fixed price – route, customs papers and floor included.

Report your arrival

Within 14 days, register at the residents' registration office at Espace des Remparts 6; according to the city, mornings from 8.30 to 11.30 work without an appointment.

Health insurance

Basic health insurance is compulsory; according to the FOPH it must be in place no later than three months after taking up residence – compare health insurers early.

Re-register your car

If you have a driving licence or car, report your address within 14 days to the road traffic office; a foreign driving licence is valid for one year.

Choose a school stream

The school centres have a French, a German and a bilingual stream; children start school at the age of four.

Prepare your dossier

For flat applications, the city lists ID, proof of income, a criminal record extract and a debt collection register extract (Betreibungsauszug), plus a cover letter.

Say hello

The city invites newcomers to a free guided tour with an apéritif; the "Pass Bienvenue" opens up cultural offers for a year.

SMALL LOADS

Shared load to Valais

For a few pieces of furniture

A shared load to Sion is worthwhile for studios, individual pieces of furniture or boxes: free loading space on a trip towards Switzerland is shared, and you only pay your share. As with a complete move, the goods are declared at the border as household removal goods with Form 18.44. We agree the collection and delivery day in advance.

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EVERYDAY LIFE IN SION

What
newcomers should sort out early

Registration, flat, school

Moving to Sion raises typical questions: which district suits you, how does registration at the residents' registration office work, and how do I apply successfully for a flat? The city recommends contacting the property management immediately after a viewing; the rental deposit is usually three months' rent in a blocked account. As the city's website is in French, plan your forms accordingly. We are happy to advise you on dates, deadlines and how moving day will run.

Choosing a neighbourhood

The old town below Valère and Tourbillon, districts on the plain around the station, Champsec on the bank of the Rhône or Bramois, Uvrier and Salins on the edge: the location determines routes and access. For a private move, senior move or student move we plan accordingly.

Organising moving day

With a packing service, furniture transport and suitable small transport the day stays manageable; we clarify the stopping place, access and carrying routes in the old town with you early on.

Businesses and special cases

For an office move, company move, public-authority move, shared load or furniture taxi we agree time windows and the border crossing – also for practices and offices in the capital of Valais.

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FAQ

Questions about living in Sion

Districts, registration, school and everyday life in Sion.

The cost of a move to Sion depends on the size of the flat, the distance and additional services such as packing or assembly; we charge from €3.80/km for long-distance moves. After the survey we give you a fixed price with no later surcharges, whether for a studio in the old town or a family home in Bramois. We do not give flat-rate average prices without a survey.

Districts and villages of Sion

The old town lies north of the Rhône along the Sionne, with Valère and Tourbillon rising to the east. The newer districts around the station and on the southern bank of the Rhône are flat plains; to the west lie the regional airport and business areas such as Pont-de-la-Morge. The city area includes localities such as Champsec, Vissigen, Châteauneuf and Molignon.

To the east lies Uvrier, extending to the mouth of the Lienne, and south of the Rhône the incorporated villages of Bramois, Salins and Les Agettes, as well as Aproz. If you would like to live somewhere more rural, look there; if you want short distances to the station, the plain is a better bet. The Bus Sédunois serves the districts with four lines.

Flat hunting and work in Sion

We deliberately do not give reliable current rent figures here. The city recommends submitting a complete dossier to the property management immediately after a viewing, with copies of your ID and residence permit, proof of income, a criminal record extract and a debt collection register extract. The rental deposit is usually three months' rent; in rental disputes, the cantonal conciliation authority advises free of charge.

As the cantonal capital, Sion offers jobs in administration; the Hospital of Sion is one of the most important hospitals in Valais. The HES-SO Valais/Wallis and the Haute École de Musique provide training, and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF has a branch here. Then there is wine and fruit growing on the slopes. We recommend coordinating the start of your tenancy and the moving date carefully.

Guide prices for moving to Sion

1-room flat – from €369
2-room flat – from €605
3-room flat – from €915
4-room flat – from €1,329
House/villa – individual quote
Long-distance move – from €3.80/km

Would you like an exact quote? Then arrange a free survey with us.

What determines the price for Valais

Whether there is a lot or a little volume – the quantity largely determines the price. Then there is the distance, charged from €3.80/km, as well as factors such as the floor, lift and parking restriction zone. For extra convenience we also offer furniture assembly and a shared load.

Services for your move to Switzerland

Our services are as varied as our customers' requirements.

Shared load: a shared load saves costs on smaller moves.

Company move: a company move without business downtime.

Move with assembly: a move with assembly for the perfect start.

Furniture transport: furniture transport for individual pieces of furniture.

House clearance: house clearance for a tidy home.

Home removal: a home removal for your new chapter in life.

From Berlin to the Rhône valley

Wherever you are heading – we come from Berlin-Moabit and handle moves within Germany and abroad. Destinations with their own page are shown in our locations overview, and you can find more on long routes under long-distance moves.

Registering in Sion: 14 days, the residents' registration office and your car

According to the Ville de Sion, anyone moving to Sion must report their arrival within 14 days to the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants). The office is located at Espace des Remparts 6; there is also a reception desk at Rue de Lausanne 23. According to the city, both are open without an appointment every morning from 8.30 to 11.30, and appointments are no longer given except in exceptional cases. Questions are answered by the residents' registration office on 027 324 15 36 or at [email protected].

Further obligations listed by the city:

If you have a driving licence or car, report the change of address within 14 days to the road traffic office. A foreign driving licence is valid for one year; after that you need a Swiss driving licence.
Basic health insurance (LAMal) is compulsory for all residents; you must choose a health insurer within three months of taking up residence.
If you only establish a secondary residence, according to the city you pay an arrival fee of 25 francs.

The city's website is in French. After registering, newcomers receive an invitation to a free guided tour of Sion with an apéritif, as well as the opportunity to use the "Pass Bienvenue", which offers cultural access for one year. Our overview of costs and districts can be found in the guide to moving to Sion.

Flat hunting, school and childcare in Sion

The city recommends contacting the property management (agence) immediately after a viewing. According to the city, the application dossier includes copies of your residence permit and ID, a payslip or employment contract, a criminal record extract and a cover letter. The debt collection register extract is issued by the debt collection office for the districts of Sion, Hérens and Conthey (Route de la Piscine 10C, tel. 027 606 16 10).

The rental deposit is usually three months' rent and is held in a blocked account. As an alternative, the city mentions Swisscaution. In rental disputes, the cantonal conciliation authority (Avenue du Midi 7, tel. 027 606 73 09) advises free of charge.

Schools: in Sion, children start school at the age of four. According to the city, the twelve school centres are divided into a French-speaking, a German-speaking and a bilingual stream, which is relevant for German-speaking families. Information is available from the school directorate on 027 324 11 11.

For lower secondary level (9H to 11H), the city lists the Cycles d'Orientation St-Guérin and des Collines.

Childcare: nurseries and after-school clubs are run by ASLAE (Avenue de Tourbillon 100, tel. 027 324 95 00), with 3 nurseries, 6 crèches and 11 care units for schoolchildren; childminding families are arranged by Agapanthe. For a comparison with another town in Valais, read Living in Brig.

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