What should I pack when moving to Switzerland?
We asked people living in Switzerland to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded...
"This is crazy but Miracle Whip, Saltine Crackers, and KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce are things I can't live without. When we shipped our goods to Switzerland we included about 15 bottles of hair shampoo! Unless you are addicted to a specific kind/type--leave those kinds of things at home," wrote a member who made the move to Wengen, Switzerland.
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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"No particular things for myself - as I have a Swiss wife, she could very well prepare me for moving to and living in Switzerland. - There are no real needs to bring to Switzerland. Anything you need is available here as well. - Don't bring washing machines, tumblers, kitchen appliances, as they usually belong to / come with the house or apartment that you buy or rent. Moving these things is very unusual in Switzerland. - When you bring electrical equipment: check plugs and voltage. Swiss electricity comes at 230V/50Hz and plugs and sockets are of type "J", which means that any plug of type "C" or "J" will fit into a Swiss socket, and any other plug won't. - Switzerland is expensive. In particular, medicins, health care and body care products are very expensive. Many Swiss buy them abroad (in Germany) whenever possible. - Switzerland has the best public transport system of Europe, and one of the best of the world. Living without car may be very well possible for you in Switzerland - consider this when you plan to import a car," explained one expat living in Olten, Switzerland.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Switzerland?
- How do I find a place to live in Switzerland?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Switzerland?
- What is the average cost of housing in Switzerland?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Switzerland?
- What should I pack when moving to Switzerland?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Switzerland?
- Why do people move to Switzerland?
- What are healthcare services like in Switzerland?
- What are medical services in Switzerland like?
- What are typical rents in Switzerland?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What should I pack when moving to Switzerland?
If you live in Switzerland, newcomers to Switzerland would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.