Moving from Germany to Switzerland: permits, Übersiedlungsgut and vehicle import

Moving from Germany to Switzerland is one of the most common relocations in Europe, and one of the most deceptively complicated. The two countries share a 340km border, the same language in four cantons, and close cultural ties, so people assume it works like moving between two German states. It doesn't: Switzerland isn't in the EU, so shipping your household goods across that border involves customs declarations, permit applications, and administrative steps that catch a lot of unprepared Germans off guard. This guide covers the customs exemption, the permit system, vehicle import, and the rest of what you need to get the move done legally, without overpaying.

Step 1: Secure your Swiss work permit or right of residence

Switzerland has free movement of persons agreements with the EU, so German citizens can move to Switzerland and work without advance authorisation. You still need to register within 14 days of arrival and apply for the appropriate permit.

German citizens receive one of three permits, depending on how long the job contract runs:

• B permit (5-year residence permit): for employment contracts of 12 months or more
• L permit (short-stay permit): for contracts under 12 months
• C permit (settlement permit): after 5 consecutive years of B permit residency

In practice, your Swiss employer initiates much of the permit process. If you're moving independently (family reunification, self-employment, retirement), contact the cantonal migration office (Ausländerbehörde or Service des migrations) of your destination canton as early as possible.

Start this before you arrive, not after: permit processing takes 2-6 weeks in most cantons.

Step 2: Declare your household goods at Swiss customs (Übersiedlungsgut)

This is where most Germany-to-Switzerland moves go wrong.

Swiss customs (BAZG: Bundesamt für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit) taxes imported goods at the border, including household furniture, electronics, and personal effects. New Swiss residents, though, are entitled to a customs exemption (Übersiedlungsgut) that covers all household goods imported for personal use, provided the conditions are met.

Customs exemption conditions

To qualify for the Übersiedlungsgut exemption:

• You must have lived outside Switzerland for at least 12 months immediately before the move
• The goods must have been in your possession and used personally for at least the last 6 months
• The goods must arrive within 24 months of your first entry into Switzerland as a new resident
• You must apply for the exemption before the goods cross the border; applying afterward does not qualify

How to apply

1. Download and complete the BAZG form 18.44 (available at ezv.admin.ch)
2. Attach a detailed inventory list (Umzugsgutliste) with estimated values and quantities for every item in the shipment
3. Submit it to the BAZG customs office before your moving truck crosses the border
4. On crossing, present the approved exemption form and the original inventory list

If a professional international moving company manages your move, they handle this documentation as standard. If you're managing it yourself, allow 5-10 working days for exemption approval.

What isn't exempt

• Vehicles (covered by separate import rules, see below)
• New goods bought specifically for the move
• Alcohol and tobacco beyond personal quantities
• Commercial goods of any kind

Step 3: Know your moving costs

Moving from Germany to Switzerland involves international transport pricing, not a domestic quote.

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A few things push these numbers around, specifically for Germany-Switzerland moves:

• Distance within Germany matters as much as the Swiss end: Frankfurt to Basel is a short hop, Berlin to Zurich a much longer haul, and price follows the kilometres.
• Movers typically charge CHF 150-400 for preparing the customs documentation.
• Cross-border moves need proper insurance: confirm your mover includes full replacement value coverage, not just standard liability.
• Destination logistics add cost too: tight access in Zurich's old city or central Geneva often means a smaller truck, more time, or a shuttle run.

Always verify that your mover is licensed to operate in both Germany and Switzerland, and ask for confirmation of their Swiss Güterkraftverkehrsgesetz compliance.

Step 4: Import your vehicle

Importing a German-registered vehicle to Switzerland is a separate process from household goods, with its own rules.

Tax-free import conditions

You can import your vehicle tax-free (Übersiedlungsgut for vehicles) if:

• The vehicle was registered in your name in Germany for at least 6 months before the move
• The vehicle was primarily for personal use, not commercial or fleet-registered
• You apply before the vehicle enters Switzerland

Re-registration process

After importing your vehicle:

1. Deregister the vehicle in Germany (Abmeldung beim Straßenverkehrsamt)
2. Submit the customs exemption form to BAZG for the vehicle separately
3. Take the vehicle to a Swiss cantonal vehicle inspection (MFK: Motorfahrzeugkontrolle), since Swiss vehicles must meet Swiss technical standards
4. Register the vehicle at the cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt and receive Swiss plates
5. Insure the vehicle with a Swiss provider; German insurance does not transfer

Allow 4-8 weeks from arrival to completed Swiss registration. German licence holders can exchange their licence for a Swiss one without taking a test: take the German licence to the cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt, request the exchange, and do it within 12 months of establishing Swiss residence.

Step 5: Register at your Swiss municipality

Within 14 days of arriving at your Swiss address, register at the local Einwohnerkontrolle (residents' registration office). Bring these documents:

• Valid passport or German national identity card (Personalausweis)
• Your Swiss rental contract or employer's address confirmation
• For EU nationals (including Germans): the EU/EFTA notification form, completed at the registration office
• Passport-sized photograph (2)
• For families: marriage certificate and children's birth certificates

You receive a registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung), which you'll need for opening a Swiss bank account and other services.

Key administrative differences: Germany vs Switzerland

A lot changes once you're registered on the Swiss side of the border:

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Health insurance: the critical first step

German Krankenkasse membership ends when you deregister in Germany. Swiss LAMal (mandatory basic health insurance) must be in place within 3 months of establishing Swiss residence, but coverage is retroactive to your arrival date, so you won't have a gap in cover. Compare premiums via Comparis.ch before you arrive.

If you're moving as a Grenzgänger (cross-border worker living in Germany, working in Switzerland), different rules apply: you may have the option to retain German health insurance or opt into Swiss LAMal.

Tax implications of the move

Germany and Switzerland have a double taxation agreement (Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen), so you won't be taxed twice on the same income, but the transition year needs attention.

In Germany, you remain taxable on your German income until your deregistration date (Abmeldung); notify the Finanzamt of your move and deregistration. In Switzerland, you become taxable from the date of your Swiss registration, and most Swiss employees have tax withheld at source (Quellensteuer). Germany can also apply an exit tax (Wegzugsteuer) if you hold significant share stakes in companies: if that applies to you, consult a cross-border tax advisor before the move.

Cantons vary significantly in tax burden: Zug and Schwyz have the lowest rates, Zurich and Geneva are higher. If your employer lets you choose which canton you register in, the tax burden is worth weighing before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to deregister from Germany before moving to Switzerland?

You should deregister (Abmelden) at your German Einwohnermeldeamt when you leave permanently. This affects your German tax liability, your GKV health insurance, and your German pension contributions. Do this on or just after your move date.

Can I keep my German bank account after moving to Switzerland?

Yes. Many Germany-to-Switzerland movers keep a German account for German commitments (subscriptions, German pension contributions, family transfers) alongside a new Swiss account. Keeping both is the most practical approach for the first 1-2 years.

How long does it take to fully settle the customs declaration for household goods?

If you submitted the documentation correctly before the move, customs clearance for household goods typically completes on the day of border crossing. Allow a buffer of 1-2 hours at the border for document inspection if your mover is handling this on the day.

Is it worth moving my German appliances to Switzerland?

Germany and Switzerland both use 230V/50Hz electricity, and Germany's Type F sockets are compatible with Swiss Type J sockets via a simple adaptor. Large appliances calibrated for German frequency cycles (washing machines, dryers with German programming) also work fine on the same voltage. Adaptors for Swiss sockets cost CHF 5-10 per plug.

Can I bring my pets from Germany?

Germany is an EU member, and Switzerland participates in the EU Pet Passport scheme. A dog or cat with a valid EU Pet Passport (microchip plus rabies vaccination recorded) can cross into Switzerland without quarantine. Notify the Swiss Veterinary Office if you're importing more than 5 animals.

Plan your move from Germany to Switzerland with Ofero

Ofero connects you with verified Swiss moving companies experienced in international relocations from Germany, including customs documentation handling, cross-border logistics, and delivery anywhere in Switzerland.

Fill in the details of your move once, and Ofero sends them to multiple licensed movers who work the Germany-Switzerland route regularly. Compare their quotes, including how each one handles the customs paperwork, and pick the one that fits your budget and timeline.