How Much Does It Cost to Move to Switzerland From the US?

Here’s the quick answer: On average, you can expect to pay at least $5,000 for a move to Switzerland from the U.S. when accounting for moving costs, airline tickets, and visa application fees.

Of course, your quotes from international moving companies may vary depending on the size of your move, whether your move originates from the East Coast or West Coast of the United States, and whether you use sea freight or air freight, among other factors. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the top factors influencing the cost of moving to Switzerland, as well as the cost of living in Switzerland, so you can be financially prepared for your move.

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Best for specialty services Solomon & Sons International Relocation Services rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Check prices 844-690-0216

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Average cost of moving to Switzerland from the US

The cost to move to Switzerland from the US can range from $1,600 to over $10,000. As with domestic moves, the distance and size of your move will significantly impact your moving costs. After all, it will cost much less to ship the contents of a studio apartment in New York City than a 4-bedroom home in California.

For international moves, choosing between sea freight and air freight will also be a major influence on your expenses. Sea freight is much cheaper, but takes longer; air freight transports your items quickly but at a much higher price.

Sea freight costs from the US to Switzerland

Sea freight is generally the more common option when moving from the U.S. to Switzerland (even though Switzerland is a landlocked country). This is because sea freight is significantly cheaper than shipping belongings by air.

International moving companies will generally provide a 20-foot shipping container, which will be loaded with the household possessions that you plan to bring as part of your move. After the container is fully loaded, it is transported to the nearest port for shipment to Switzerland. Because Switzerland doesn’t have any seaports, shipments instead go to seaports in nearby countries like Germany or Belgium. The container is then transported via rail or truck to Switzerland.

While this shipping option is much cheaper than air freight, it is also much slower. Sea freight can take up to seven weeks from port to port, with additional time required based on the land transportation distance.

*Pricing above is for sea freight costs only; it does not include related moving expenses

Air freight costs from the US to Switzerland

Air freight from the US to Switzerland is significantly faster, but also much more expensive than sea freight. With air freight, you can have your belongings sent directly to the airport in your destination city, allowing you to get your items in a matter of days, rather than weeks.

However, this convenience comes at a price. Air freight is charged at a premium due to the speed of the shipment. In addition, cargo planes have much smaller capacity than a freight ship. Because of this, shipments are relatively limited in size, and larger items (such as furniture) may be too large or cost-prohibitive to send.

Air freight works best when you only have a few items you need to bring to Switzerland, and you want to make sure they are readily available when you arrive at your new home in the country

*Pricing above is for air freight costs only; it does not include related moving expenses

How much does it cost to live in Switzerland?

One thing to be aware of when moving to Switzerland is that it generally has a much higher cost of living than the US, with the exception of some food items. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Switzerland is nearly 34% higher than in the United States without rent, and 27% higher when including rent.

However, it is important to note that the higher cost of living is offset by a higher average monthly net salary, which actually gives Switzerland residents greater purchasing power than their U.S. counterparts. The average monthly salary in Switzerland is $6,562.76, compared to $4,371.84 in the U.S. With a higher salary, these expenses become much more manageable.

Housing costs in Switzerland

Housing costs are one area where the cost of living in Switzerland varies the most in comparison to the United States.

If you plan to rent, you can often expect housing costs to be similar to or even less than what you’d pay in the U.S. However, if you plan to buy a home, you can expect housing to be over 100% more expensive than what you’d pay for a similar property in the U.S.

*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Zurich and Boston as of January 2025

When looking for housing in Switzerland, you should start by researching the area where you want to live. Generally speaking, you’ll likely need to rent an apartment that you find online, and then search for a more permanent housing solution once you’re actually in the country.

Homegate.ch and Immoscout24.ch are generally considered some of the best options for finding online housing listings. As far as where to live, the following cities are some of the most popular locations in Switzerland:

Utilities costs in Switzerland

Utilities are another area where the cost of living in Switzerland can vary. When it comes to basic housing utilities, such as electricity and sewage, you can expect to pay roughly 25% more per month on average.

However, when it comes to communication needs such as internet and cell phone plans, your monthly expenses will usually be lower in Switzerland for comparable U.S. plans.

*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Zurich and Boston as of January 2025
**Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment as of January 2025

Food costs in Switzerland

Food costs in Switzerland are higher overall, with some exceptions. When eating out in Switzerland, you can pretty much always expect to pay at least 10% more than you would in the U.S.

While many grocery items, such as milk, meat, and eggs, are more expensive in Switzerland, you’ll usually find lower prices on fresh produce like apples, oranges, potatoes, lettuce, and onions.

*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Zurich and Boston as of January 2025

Transportation costs in Switzerland

Transportation is significantly more expensive in Switzerland than in the US. This is true regardless of whether you plan to use public transportation, get a taxi, or even purchase your own vehicle.

For example, taking a taxi can cost anywhere from 140% to 195% more than in the U.S., and purchasing a car can cost 12% to 45% more, depending on the make and model.

*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Zurich and Boston as of January 2025
**Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (or equivalent new vehicle) as of January 2025

Education costs in Switzerland

If you are planning to move to Switzerland with children, you should also consider the cost of education. Switzerland is considered one of the best countries in the world for education, but high-quality childcare does come at a price.

In a time when childcare is already considered a major expense in the United States, you can expect to pay about 15% to 20% more for your child’s educational needs in Switzerland.

Switzerland’s visa & immigration requirements

If you only plan on visiting Switzerland for up to 90 days, you only need a valid passport – no visa required! However, moving to Switzerland for the long term is a little more complex for U.S. citizens than for residents of the European Union.

If you plan to move to Switzerland, you’ll need to apply for a D-visa (long-stay visa). The Swiss government has yearly quotas that limit how many of these visas are distributed; if they run out, you’ll have to wait another year to apply.

In addition to study visas for students, U.S. citizens can apply for a work visa if they have a confirmed job offer from a Swiss company. You must also generally prove your qualifications for the job you’ve been offered, as well as basic language and cultural proficiency.

Another option is the family reunion visa, which is available if you are moving to Switzerland to join a family member who is a resident or citizen of Switzerland. Retirement visas are also available to individuals over age 55 who can prove a personal link to Switzerland. These visas will allow you to eventually obtain temporary residency permits.

After living in Switzerland for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. A clean criminal record, successful integration into Swiss society (including knowledge of your local area’s language), and economic independence are required.

Moving to Switzerland from the US

Moving to Switzerland from the U.S. is a little more complex than other European countries due to the country’s strict visa and residency requirements. You’ll need to get a job offer from a Swiss employer; if you’re retired, you’ll need to establish and prove a strong personal connection to Switzerland.

These must be established first before you can apply for a visa and a residency permit. After these steps, you’ll need to find housing, purchase airline tickets, and of course, figure out how to get your belongings to your new home.

Top international moving companies

Hiring a full-service moving company to help with your move to Switzerland will go a long way in making the process easier. International moving companies can help manage customs requirements while providing comprehensive logistics and tracking from the US to Switzerland.

Many work with both air and sea freight partners to help you select the option that works best for your move. Based on our analysis of pricing, services, and customer satisfaction, the following international movers are our top picks for your move to Switzerland:

Best Overall International Van Lines rating 4.8 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Check prices 866-533-2573

Best for specialty services Solomon & Sons International Relocation Services rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Check prices 844-690-0216

Best Add-on Services Allied International Van Lines rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Check prices (260) 429-2511

Shipping your vehicle to Switzerland

Some international moving companies, like IVL and NAVL, can also help with shipping your vehicle to Switzerland. However, depending on the moving company you work with, you may need to ship your vehicle with a different provider.

Shipping a car overseas will be more costly and time-consuming than a domestic auto shipment, but it is possible! This will generally involve shipping your vehicle through open or enclosed transport to the nearest port, where your vehicle will then be shipped using either roll-on roll-off shipping or be transported in an enclosed container.

The best car shipping companies work with reliable international partners to ensure your vehicle is transported safely to Switzerland. The following are our top picks for shipping your car to Switzerland, based on their service area and transportation quality:

Best for accurate pricing Sherpa Auto Transport rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Price lock promise Free car wash Get a quote (833) 775-1461

Best for discounts AmeriFreight Car Transport rating 4.3 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Services all 50 states Ships most vehicles Get a quote (770) 501-9057

Best for quick pickup Easy Auto Ship rating 4.9 / 5 Licensed Insured Price No deposit Quick pickup Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Tips for moving to Switzerland from the US

So, how can you ensure that moving to Switzerland from the U.S. goes smoothly? Be sure to keep the following steps in mind as part of your moving checklist:

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