We all know Switzerland from films and stories. A land of snow capped mountains, picturesque wooden chalets, alpine horns and cowbells. Some may have holidayed there in the winter and enjoyed the skiing or perhaps gone in the summer and travelled on the world famous narrow gauge railways. Although it is known as a European playground how many have ever considered moving to Switzerland?
The answer is probably not many. Although it grants citizens from the EU some special privileges, automatic residential rights are not one of them. In fact, unless you are an independently wealthy person, it is not easy for anyone considering moving to Switzerland.
To live in Switzerland it is necessary to hold a residency permit.
The basic is a B permit. This is an annual residency permit which has to be renewed every year and has restrictions as to what you can do such as owning property or working.
If you are an EU citizen, then you can obtain a CE permit which is similar to a B permit but allows you more freedom such as being able to buy property and be self employed.
After living in Switzerland for 5 – 10 years it is possible to apply for a C permit. This is a full residency permit.
If you are financially independent with an income in excess of £38,000 and wish to be there for more than 180 days a year, then obtaining the necessary permits should not be a problem.
Those moving to Switzerland are not only able to enjoy the picture postcard scenery but also beneficial tax laws and one of the highest standards of living in Europe.
We at European Removal Experts may not be able to assist you in obtaining a resident’s permit but we can ensure that your move will run like a Swiss watch.
Removals to Italy20/02/2025 - 16:26
Some Advice on Moving to Switzerland
Moving to Switzerland from the UK is not as straightforward as – for example – a move to France or any other European Union member State, but it is possible for British Passport holders to make the move. If you are lucky enough to be classed as wealthy, relocating to Zurich or any other part of Switzerland will be a lot easier as Phil Collins and Lewis Hamilton have proved.
If your move is connected with work this should make things a little easier, but before you pack up your belongings and prepare to make the move there are some important factors which you should take into account. If you are successful in your application to move to Switzerland, you will become a tax resident when you are in the country for a minimum of thirty days if you are employed. This rises to ninety days if you are not working.
A Swiss Residence Permit is essential if you want to live in the country permanently, and the good news is that people from EU countries stand more chance of getting this document. Once you receive this, you have to live in Switzerland and if you are not able to live there for 180 days each year you must make sure that you are not spending more time in any other country. If you do, you will fail to make the status of Swiss resident, so bear this in mind when you are planning your move.
Is it Permitted?
We all know Switzerland from films and stories. A land of snow capped mountains, picturesque wooden chalets, alpine horns and cowbells. Some may have holidayed there in the winter and enjoyed the skiing or perhaps gone in the summer and travelled on the world famous narrow gauge railways. Although it is known as a European playground how many have ever considered moving to Switzerland?
The answer is probably not many. Although it grants citizens from the EU some special privileges, automatic residential rights are not one of them. In fact, unless you are an independently wealthy person, it is not easy for anyone considering moving to Switzerland.
To live in Switzerland it is necessary to hold a residency permit.
The basic is a B permit. This is an annual residency permit which has to be renewed every year and has restrictions as to what you can do such as owning property or working.
If you are an EU citizen, then you can obtain a CE permit which is similar to a B permit but allows you more freedom such as being able to buy property and be self employed.
After living in Switzerland for 5 – 10 years it is possible to apply for a C permit. This is a full residency permit.
If you are financially independent with an income in excess of £38,000 and wish to be there for more than 180 days a year, then obtaining the necessary permits should not be a problem.
Those moving to Switzerland are not only able to enjoy the picture postcard scenery but also beneficial tax laws and one of the highest standards of living in Europe.
We at European Removal Experts may not be able to assist you in obtaining a resident’s permit but we can ensure that your move will run like a Swiss watch.
Make Your Move to Germany as Painless as Possible
Moving to Germany from the UK can be extremely nerve wracking, but it’s also hugely exciting. If you’ve decided to make the move, then you’ll have a lot of planning to do. Spending time preparing yourself before you make your move will help everything run as smoothly as possible.
• Let as many people as possible know that you are relocating to Germany. Friends and family will be happy to do anything they can to help you with your move, and one of them may even know someone in the area you’re moving too who can help you settle in.
• Arrange your removals to Germany as soon as you possibly can. This will help you to plan how much you can take and what you may not be able to. By planning in advance, you will have the time to cope with any problems that may arise.
• Do as much research as you can about your new home. Aim to find out what you will need to do before you move to Germany, and what will need to be done after you arrive.
• Learn as much German as you can before you move. Even if you’re unable to learn much, try to memorise some key words and phrases that will aid you in your move.
• Keep a permanent address and bank account in the UK. This will make things much easier for you when you come for visits, or if you decide to move back.
Going Dutch
If you are moving to Holland and you are intending to find a job when you get there, the first thing to say is Good Luck! As with most countries at the moment, finding work isn’t as easy as it used to be just a couple of years ago, so if you are moving to Holland, or moving to France for that matter, it’s probably best to find employment before you leave. Having said that, if you are moving to Holland and are prepared to put the work in to find a job, there are a couple of ways you can look for work.
The public employment service – or the CWI, which is the Centre for Work and Income – plays a huge role in the Dutch labour market as they help people find jobs in a similar way to the JobCentre here in the UK.
The staff at the CWI are very involved and will give as much help as you ask for when looking for a job, whether you are Dutch or moving to Holland from another country.
To get help from the CWI you need the equivalent of our national insurance number. Every Dutch citizen obtains a personal registration number, called a SOFI-nummer, at the age of fourteen. Those moving to Holland can get a SOFI-nummer at the local tax office.
The bottom line is that, when it comes to moving to Holland, you will find the same problems – and solutions – as you will find here when you are looking for a job, so good luck!
Moving To A European Country
If you’re planning on moving to a European country, such as moving to France or moving to Germany, you have a lot to think about and a lot to plan over the next few weeks and months.
One of most important things to think about is, do you speak the language, and will you need to learn it? While many people in France and Germany do speak English, certainly not everyone does. If you are going to be living in one of these countries and mingling with the locals, eating in restaurants, and shopping in their markets and shops, it’s wise to take a few language classes before you go, or purchase language materials that you can study on your own.
You’ll also want to think about the climate. While western Europe’s climate may not be drastically different to that of the UK, there will be some differences. Certainly some areas of France can be very hot in the summer months, and you may need to make some adjustments in your wardrobe. And whether you are moving to France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, or Holland, you’ll want to take a variety of clothes good for any weather.
But probably the most practical of all the things you will need to plan is how you will move your furniture and belongings. Here at Europe Removal, we specialize in moving people to western Europe from the UK. We do moves from all over the UK including Scotland and Northern Ireland. Ask for a quote today and we can help you get started relocating to Germany or France, or wherever it is you want to go.
The Benefits of Travel
In the recent general election, one of the hot topics was that of immigration and the effects this has on jobs. With the development of the European Union one of the key changes has been with border controls. People who live in E U member states are no longer considered citizens of just their country of birth but are also citizens of Europe. As such they have rights to travel and work in other member states and are entitled to the benefits not only of their country of origin but also of the country they move to. This has led to the development of a more flexible mobile workforce.
When we think of UK citizens moving abroad we usually think of people buying holiday homes and moving to France or Spain. However if we consider countries like Germany it is more likely that people will be moving there because of work.
If you are considering moving to Germany then we at European Removal Experts can help to make the transition as pain free as possible.
Once there it is also good to know that under EU legislation citizens of one country are entitled to the same benefits such as medical help.
Sometimes these benefits continue to be paid directly by the UK directly to you and sometimes they are paid to the country you are resident in and they in turn provide the same service as would be received by a native resident.
Also once you are working and paying into local tax and social insurance packages you are also entitled to additional benefits such as unemployment benefit and assistance when looking for work.
It is therefore good to know that even when making a big step like moving to Germany, you will not be without support should things not go entirely as planned.
Some Benefits of Moving to Germany
If you are moving abroad with your job, the chances are that the company you work for will be paying your moving costs. This is good news for you, because it means that you will be able to employ a team of experts to take care of every aspect of the move.
Although we tend to think of sunny climates like Spain and Portugal as the destinations Brits choose when moving abroad, more of us these days are moving to Germany and moving to Switzerland in order to continue working for the company we are currently employed by, or to look for a new career. If you are moving to Germany, this is a relatively straightforward process as the country is an EU member. Moving to Switzerland is a little more complicated, but citizens of EU member states will find it a lot easier moving to Switzerland than somebody from outside the European Union.
If you are moving to Germany, you can look forward to earning a salary similar to that which you would earn in London, but be prepared for the higher tax rate. The benefits of moving to Germany include much lower rents for flats and apartments, as well as generally lower living costs than the UK and an excellent health care service, which is thought to be superior to the NHS. However, if you are moving to Switzerland, be prepared for higher costs in just about everything compared to living in Britain, so make the most of the beautiful countryside and pristine streets in the towns and cities!
European Removal Experts Offering Special Rates When Moving To Brussels
European Removal Experts, a London-based removals company serving clients moving to France, Spain and across the EU for domestic, business and educational purposes, are offering attractive rates for people who are moving to Brussels.
European Removal Experts regularly offer discounts to their customers, and lately they have noticed an upsurge of people relocating their belongings to Brussels. As such European Removal Experts are offering up to thirty per cent discounts for those moving to Belgium, and interested parties can log onto their website today for a free quote.
European Removal Experts are also pleased to announce that they currently have more vehicles than ever before travelling to and from Italy and Spain. A lot of European destinations have proven popular for those looking to relocate, especially warmer and more cultural climates. European Removal Experts can offer excellent deals for those looking at moving to Italy, Spain or elsewhere in Europe.
“We’ve seen an abundance of people moving from the UK to the continent over the summer and are delighted to be able to offer our current price set to those who need help in handling their removals,” comments Christian Popovici of European Removal Experts. “We’re keeping an eye on future trends and how they will develop over the coming months with a view to offering more discounts for our valued customers, wherever they’re looking to move in the European territories.”
Are You Moving to Belgium? If So, Read On
If you are moving to Belgium with your job, there are a couple of important points which you should be aware of. Although this is just a couple of hours away across the North Sea and they are a member of the European Union, there are many differences in the day to day life you will experience if you are moving to Belgium. For example, everyone over the age of twelve who is resident in the country is obliged to carry identity cards. For those over the age of fifteen, it is obligatory to carry the ID card at all times, unless they are within 200 metres of their home address. This may sound a bit draconian, but the reality is that the Belgian people don’t give this a second thought. Another thing to bear in mind is that these cards are valid for five years and must be renewed before the expiry date.
If you are moving to Belgium and are planning to rent a property, the process is a little different from moving to Holland or moving to Germany. When you rent a house or flat, this must be registered with the local authorities, in particular with the Receiver of Registrations. This must be carried out within two months of the rental agreement being signed, and failure to do this will lead to a fine. Finally, don’t forget to hire a professional company with plenty of experience of helping those who are moving to Belgium to ensure that the move goes as smoothly as possible.
A Year In Europe
Most British Universities offer degrees that require students to spend a year in a European country. Generally the degrees are either language or business based but either way moving to France, moving to Germany, or moving to Holland or whichever country is involved, can be a great adventure. Even with the best intentions of keeping the stuff you take when you are moving to Germany to a minimum you may find that you need to take more than you first thought.
Shipping personal belongings to another European country doesn’t have to break the bank, generally you can find a removals company, like us at European Removal Experts, who will have space for a part-load. This is when they move more than one person’s goods in the same vehicle and because the cost is divided it makes it cheaper when you are moving to France for your year’s experience. If you are moving with friends on the same course then you could get together to move everything in one load and split the costs.
Of course you are likely to find that even if you get there with very little you will pick up rather a lot of stuff in the year that you are there and we often find that we are called in to help people move all their accumulated things back to the UK, after all we do have removal vans going both ways. So you don’t have to give up all those wonderful things you bought you can bring them back to be treasured for a life time. When you are ready to make your move just get it all wrapped and boxed up and we can do the rest for you so you can concentrate on more important things like studying, or a night out in a great bar.