Moving to Switzerland: Process & Tips
From Berlin to Switzerland
By removal lorry to Switzerland: route, border, driving bans
Across the border to Basel and Zurich
A move to Switzerland is logistically more demanding than a move within the EU: the lorry crosses a customs border, and it is around 860 km by road from Berlin to Basel or Zurich. We plan your long-distance move so that loading, the journey with breaks, border clearance and unloading fit together. We accompany you from the survey to furniture assembly at the destination; who handles the customs declaration at the border is set out in advance in the quote. That way you can concentrate on your fresh start in Switzerland.
After the survey you receive a fixed price; we are liable for your belongings under the HGB, and it is best to take valuables with you yourself. For the border you need form 18.44 and an inventory list – the easiest way to draw up the list is while packing. Whether you are moving to Zurich, Basel, Bern or Geneva: we are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive right to your door. You can find more about our services under Private move.
A fixed-price quote for your move to Switzerland
With a schedule for the journey and the border
Request your quote for the move to Switzerland. We advise you by phone on 01625978461 about customs, costs and the process and tell you on which day the lorry loads, when it reaches the border and when unloading takes place. That way you can plan your international long-distance move without gaps.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
What counts on the journey to Switzerland
Route, border, arrival
With a move to Switzerland, the schedule is decisive: a lorry over 3.5 t may not drive in Switzerland between 10 pm and 5 am or on Sundays, clearance at the border takes time, and a route of around 860 km exceeds a driver's daily driving time. We therefore plan departure, overnight stop and border crossing in advance and give you a fixed price after a survey. We are liable for your belongings under the HGB; additional insurance is available on request. We also offer packing, furniture assembly and storage on request.
Two days on the road
A stop at customs
Observe the driving bans
LSVA for the lorry
What we do for you
Household goods that you have used yourself for at least six months remain duty-free. At the border they are declared with form 18.44 and a complete inventory list – we pack so that the list and the load match.
Reliable moving service
Safe handling
Clear communication
Structured move planning
Flexible support
Arrival in Switzerland
Part loads – the clever solution
Moving
& transport from a single source
A long-distance move to Switzerland has two parts: the formalities – customs declaration, registering with the municipality, residence permit, health insurance, car – and the transport itself. The formalities are explained in our checklist for emigrating to Switzerland. Here it is about the journey: route and driving time, the stop at customs, driving bans for lorries and the right day of the week. You can find further routes under Long-distance moves.
Planning safe and relaxed
Furniture, boxes, transport routes
Costs, timing and special cases
Frequently asked questions about moving to Switzerland
Customs office, form 18.44 and later shipments
As Switzerland is not a member of the EU, your belongings are declared at the customs office on entry. Household goods that you have used yourself for at least six months and will continue to use remain duty-free when you move your residence to Switzerland. They are declared with form 18.44 and a complete inventory list, along with proof such as a tenancy agreement or employment contract. Newly bought items do not count as removal goods.
Important for planning: items that will only follow later must already be declared on the first import. Who handles clearance at the border is set out in the quote before the move; you carry the papers in your hand luggage. Registering with the municipality, the residence permit and your car are explained in our checklist for emigrating to Switzerland.
Route, driving time and driving bans
By road it is around 867 km from Berlin to Basel, around 856 km to Zurich and around 959 km to Bern. A lorry driver may drive for no more than 9 hours a day; a long-distance move to Switzerland is therefore planned with an overnight stop or a second driver. On top of that, lorries over 3.5 t may not drive in Switzerland between 10 pm and 5 am or on Sundays, and they are subject to the performance-related heavy vehicle fee (LSVA).
The process begins with a survey, followed by the quote with a schedule. On loading day we pack and load in Berlin; depending on the plan, the lorry reaches the border on the second day, after which it is unloaded at your home and, on request, reassembled. Thanks to this planning, the whole process runs in a structured way.
Moving costs: an overview for tenants and owners
- 1-room flat – costs from €359
- 2-room flat – costs from €615
- 3-room flat – costs from €889
- 4-room flat – costs from €1,344
- House/villa – individual quote after a survey
- Long-distance move – from €4.10/km
For concrete figures we recommend a free survey.
The key price factors for your move
- Scope and volume
- Distance from €4.10/km
- Floor without a lift
- A necessary parking restriction zone
- Furniture assembly and shared load as additional options
Professional moving help – our services
Our aim: your move should be as easy as possible.
Private move – we take care of your move to your new home. Private move
Furniture transport – safe transport of your furniture. Furniture transport
Office move – your company moves safely with us. Office move
House clearance – make space with our clearance service. House clearance
Shared load – move cheaply with a consolidated load. Shared load
Move with assembly – your furniture is assembled expertly. Move with assembly
From Berlin – to Switzerland too
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and carry out moves throughout Germany and to Switzerland. The locations overview shows places with their own pages; routes such as Berlin–Zurich can be found under Long-distance moves.
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