Redirecting mail moving: your complete guide in Switzerland

When you move, one thing is crystal clear: the mail has to come with you. So that important letters and documents don't end up in the old mailbox, a Forwarding orders at Swiss Post are essential. This way you can ensure that bills, official letters or personal greetings arrive reliably at your new address. Luckily, you can easily set up the service online or in the nearest post office.

Why redirecting mail is non-negotiable when moving

The moving checklist is long, from packing the boxes to organizing the van. In all this hustle and bustle, one of the most important tasks often gets lost: the forwarding order. But if you forget this, you risk far-reaching and quite unpleasant consequences that go far beyond a missed birthday card.

Just imagine that bills, reminders or important letters from authorities continue to end up in your old apartment. This can quickly become expensive and complicated.

The hidden risks of forgotten mail

Unpaid invoices quickly lead to reminder fees and, in the worst case, even to debt enforcement. Letters from insurance companies or the road traffic office are just as critical. If you miss an important deadline, this can jeopardize your insurance coverage or lead to unnecessary administrative hassle. A forwarding order is much more than just a convenience - it is an important safeguard for your financial and legal stability during the move.

A forgotten forwarding order is one of the most common causes of unnecessary stress after moving in. The small investment in time and money pays off many times over because it saves you from expensive mistakes and tedious paperwork.

A quick look at Switzerland's moving statistics

Interestingly, most Swiss people don't move that far away. According to statistics, only 9.3 percentof the resident population moved in 2023 – a real low. Of these, a whopping72 percentof the moves took place within the same canton, with an average distance of just13.4 kilometers.

These numbers show how commonplace and local moves are for us. But even if you're just moving a few blocks away, seamless mail delivery is absolutely crucial. You can find more exciting insights into this in theUmzugsstatistik des Bundesamts für Statistik.

Ultimately, redirecting the mail in a timely manner ensures a smooth transition to the new home and protects you from unpleasant surprises. It's a small but crucial step for a successful new start.

This is how the forwarding order at the post office is guaranteed to work

If you're moving, the forwarding order at the post office is one of the most important items on the to-do list. Luckily, Swiss Post has made the process pretty straightforward. You practically have two options to ensure that your mail finds you in your new home: conveniently online or the classic way in a post office.

Both ways lead to the goal, but the digital application is clearly ahead - it is faster and usually cheaper. Let's take a closer look at both options so that you can decide what suits you best.

The digital way: quick, easy and convenient

Most people do this online these days. It's logical: it's quick and you can do it from the couch. All you need is internet access and a SwissID to identify yourself securely.

The Swiss Post online portal is really self-explanatory and guides you step by step through the process.

After all, you don't want to risk delays or even losses, especially when it comes to invoices, important documents or packages. A small effort that can save you a lot of trouble later.

How the online application works

The process is deliberately kept simple so that as little as possible goes wrong. Here is an overview of the crucial steps:

• Login with SwissID:Go to the Swiss Post website and log in with your SwissID. If you don't have one yet, you can register in just a few minutes.
• Enter addresses:Enter your old and your new address. Take a moment here and double check everything - even a small typo can cause problems.
• Specify all people:Very important: The order only applies to the names that you enter. So think about your partner, your children or roommates.
• Select term:You can usually choose between6 or 12 months. If you want to be on the safe side, choose the longer term. This gives you enough buffer to inform all important authorities about your new address.

A typical mistake that happens again and again: You forget to include your adult children or your roommate in the order. It's better to check the list of names too much than too little!

The classic: go to the post office

Do you prefer personal contact or don't have internet access at hand? No problem. You can also place the forwarding order at any post office. Just pack a valid ID.

An employee at the counter will give you the form and help you fill it out. This is just as secure as the online route, but naturally takes a little longer and is often associated with higher fees.

Online vs. branch: the direct comparison

Both methods work, but the differences cannot be overlooked.

Our recommendation is very clear:Do it online. You save yourself the journey, time and, in most cases, money. Advice in the branch is actually only necessary if you have a very specific case that cannot be clarified online.

In order to keep a complete overview of your move, there are other useful helpers. Find out more aboutdigitale Umzugsplanung mit Apps und Online-Tools, which makes the whole process even easier.

No matter which route you choose: remember to submit the order on time. It's best to plan at least a four to five working days lead time. This gives the post office enough time to activate everything, and your letters and packages land reliably in your new mailbox from day one.

All costs and deadlines for mail redirection at a glance

Okay, you've decided to have your mail forwarded when you move - a good choice! But how much does it all cost and, more importantly, what deadlines do you absolutely have to have in mind? Proper planning not only protects your moving budget, but also ensures that your mail ends up reliably in the new mailbox from day one.

Fortunately, Swiss Post keeps the costs for this service fairly transparent and manageable. The price depends primarily on two things: how long the order should run for and whether you place it conveniently online or in the store. Small spoiler: There are price differences on the second point that you should be aware of.

Detailed cost overview for your forwarding order

So that you can plan in a relaxed manner, we have broken down the current fees for private and business customers in a simple table. You will quickly notice: The digital route is not only easier, but also noticeably cheaper.

Cost overview for forwarding orders at Swiss Post

The following table shows the fees for mail redirection, depending on how long it should take and whether you are acting as a private individual or as a company.

Please note that these are indicative values. You can always find the current and binding prices directly on the Swiss Post website.

As you can see, the online order is worth it. The money you save here will certainly be better spent elsewhere in your moving budget.

Choose the right term for your needs

Whether you should choose 6 or 12 months depends entirely on your situation. If you plan to register your new address with all banks, insurance companies and subscriptions as quickly as possible, 6 months is probably enough.

But if you want to be on the safe side or have to change a lot of business contacts, 12 months simply gives you more buffer. We know from experience: Sometimes letters arrive from senders you haven't thought about for years, often only after a long time. The small surcharge for the longer term is money well invested in your own peace of mind.

Deadlines – the decisive factor for a seamless transition

Even more important than the costs is the right timing. A forwarding order is not something that can be done at the last minute. The post office needs some lead time to record everything in the system and to adjust the logistics.

To ensure that your mail arrives at the new location on time for delivery day, you should set up the orderat least four to five working daysbefore the desired start date.

• The Ideal case:Complete the order in a relaxed mannertwo weeks before the move.
• The absolute minimum:Planfour working daysas the lowest limit.
• The start date:You can choose the starting date flexibly. It is often clever to start the job one or two days before the actual moving day.

If you are too close, you risk that important letters end up in the old place in the first few days. You can really save yourself this stress with a little forethought.

Also remember that moving comes with its own rules depending on the canton. We have put together comprehensive information for you in our guide aboutdie wichtigsten kantonalen Besonderheiten und Vorschriften beim Umzug in der Schweiz. With the right planning for costs and deadlines, mail redirection becomes one of the most relaxed points on your big moving checklist.

When things get complicated: company relocation and the jump abroad

Not every move fits into the classic “apartment A to apartment B” scheme within Switzerland. What if an entire office moves or your new life begins across the border? Such cases require a special approach and a good understanding of what Swiss Post can do - and what it cannot.

A company move is logistically a completely different house than a private one. This isn't just about a few letters. All business communication – invoices, contracts, important deliveries – must continue seamlessly. A small mistake can quickly become expensive or strain the relationship with customers and partners.

When the whole company packs its bags

WithRedirecting mail for a company movethe requirements are much higher. Swiss Post knows this and offers special forwarding orders for business customers that are tailored precisely to these needs.

The crucial differences to private orders are obvious:

• Much more than that only letters:In addition to normal correspondence, parcels, catalogs and registered business documents often have to reach the new address reliably.
• Proactive communication is everything:A forwarding order is a great bridge, but no substitute for clear communication. Inform suppliers, customers and partners about the new address as early as possible.
• The official part:The company address must be adjusted in the commercial register. This is a separate step that you must not forget.

A cleverly planned company move sees mail redirection as part of the strategy to keep operations running. Even a few days' delay in important documents can seriously disrupt well-established processes.

Make sure to list all official company names and any subsidiaries precisely in the order. This is the only way to ensure that no mail falls through the cracks. The costs are higher, but they reflect the increased service and greater responsibility.

The step across the border: moving abroad

When you leave Switzerland, mail forwarding becomes an international matter. Different rules apply here and unfortunately there are also a few restrictions. The good news: Swiss Post forwards letters to most countries in the world. The bad news: What works nationally doesn't always work internationally.

Before you fill out the order online, you should check these points:

• Is this possible in my target country?Check directly with the post office whether forwarding to your new home country is even possible. This is usually not a problem within Europe.
• What is not forwarded?Attention, this is the biggest stumbling block:Parcels, bulky items and newspapersare usuallynot forwarded abroad. These shipments are instead returned to the sender.
• Keep an eye on the budget:The fees for international forwarding are significantly higher. Be sure to factor these costs into your moving budget.

A typical example: moving to Germany

Imagine moving from Zurich to Berlin and setting up an international forwarding order for12 months. Your letters from the bank and insurance company will also arrive in your new mailbox. Everything was great.

But then this: A package that you ordered online shortly before the move is delivered to your old Zurich address. Because packages are not forwarded internationally, the post office sends them back to the online shop. Now you have to contact the dealer and organize redelivery to Berlin. An effort that could have been saved.

This case shows perfectly what is important: the international forwarding order is worth its weight in gold for your letter mail, but it is not a universal solution. Proactively inform all important contacts and especially online shops about your new address abroad. This way you can avoid such annoyances right from the start.

What to do if the forwarding order is not enough?

A forwarding order is the be-all and end-all so that no important mail gets lost after the move. But let's be honest, it's not the only solution. There are a few clever alternatives and additions that will make your life much easier in the transition phase and provide additional security.

With these strategies you can really close all the gaps and keep track of things - even when the last moving boxes have long since been unpacked.

Digital mail: The modern alternative for full flexibility

Why wait for physical letters when you can also do it digitally? With services likeePost from the Swiss Postyou can easily scan your letter mail and have it received securely online.

This is incredibly practical, especially if you travel a lot or just don't feel like doing paperwork. You receive your mail immediately as a PDF, can archive everything, search it and respond directly - no matter where you are in the world. This makes the entire postal administration more flexible than ever before.

Neighborhood help: The uncomplicated solution for the transition

For a very short transition period - perhaps just a few days - or if you only expect a few letters, a trustworthy neighbor can also help out. Of course, this is an informal solution and involves certain risks in terms of data protection and reliability.

If you decide to go this route, it is best to make a clear, albeit informal, agreement.

This is what a short message to the neighbor could look like:"Hello [neighbour's name], would you be so kind as to collect my mail from [start date] to [end date]? I would then pick it up on [pick-up date]. If there is something important there (e.g. from Office), just let me know via WhatsApp. Thank you so much for your help!"

This method is really only suitable as an emergency solution and does not replace an official order, especially not when it comes to official documents or invoices.

Proactive address change: The best strategy ever

A forwarding order intercepts a lot, but The actual goal is to prevent your mail from going to the old address in the first place. Therefore, proactively inform all important authorities about your move as early as possible. This checklist will help you not to forget anyone:

• Authorities & offices:
  • Resident control of your new municipality (this is even required by law!)
  • Road traffic office (for the vehicle ID card)
  • Tax office
  • Military or civil protection office
• Finance & Insurance:
  • Your bank(s)
  • Credit card provider
  • Health insurance and accident insurance
  • Household, private liability and all other insurances
• Work & training:
  • Your employer
  • Schools, kindergartens or the University
• Contracts & Subscriptions:
  • Mobile and Internet providers
  • Electricity and water suppliers
  • Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
  • Streaming services and important online shops

If you act proactively here, you will save yourself a lot of trouble later. You can find a detailed guide on this in our article onAdressänderung bei Umzug.

By the way: The desire to move in Switzerland is unbroken. A ZHAW study from 2023 shows that 45 percentof those surveyed are planning to move, often triggered by starting a family. Interestingly, around50 percentare aiming to own their own home – the Swiss dream is alive. You can read more about thisspannenden Erkenntnisse zum Umzugsverhalten in der SchweizYou can read directly at the ZHAW.

Frequent questions about mail redirection

A move is full of small details, and the same questions often arise, especially when it comes to the topic of mail redirection. Even though we have already shed light on the process, there are a few sticking points that continue to cause uncertainty. Here you will find quick and clear answers to the most frequently asked questions in practice.

So you are well prepared and ensure that your mail ends up in the right place from day one.

What actually happens to packages when they are forwarded?

This is probably one of the most burning questions, because who doesn't expect a package on a regular basis these days? The answer is crucial for your planning: A normal forwarding order for private individuals in Switzerland coversparcels are excluded from this standard service. This means that they are either delivered to your old address (which quickly becomes a problem) or are returned directly to the sender. To avoid this hassle, you can book a paid additional service at the post office so that packages can also be forwarded.only letters and newspapers

Pay close attention to the options when booking online. You must explicitly select the forwarding of packages. One click in the wrong place and your packages end up nowhere.

Can I change a forwarding order or stop it earlier?Our practical tip:

Sure, plans change. Sometimes the mail has to be redirected for longer than expected, or the order is no longer needed at all. Yes, you can adjust an existing forwarding order or end it early.

How you do this depends on how you originally set it up:

If you have done everything via the postal service's customer portal, you can also manage the order right there. Simply log in to your account and check the available options for changes or cancellation.

• Did you still fill out the form at the counter? Then the route for changes or cancellation also leads back to a post office.Online order:
• But be careful: There are usually fees for changes. There is usually no refund for unused time. So think about the duration as carefully as possible right from the start.Order in the branch:

How far in advance do I have to set up the order?

When moving, timing is everything. Of course, Swiss Post needs some time in advance to record your order in the system and prepare the logistics for it. If you only place the order on the day of the move, you are definitely too late.

So be sure to plan a buffer. A good rule of thumb is:

Set up the forwarding order

• two weeks before the moving day.The order should be at the post office at the latestIdeal case:
• four to five working daysbefore the desired start date.vier bis fünf WerktageThe very last Deadline:

If you miss this deadline, seamless redirection can no longer be guaranteed. A little forethought will save you a lot of potential hassle and ensure that everything goes smoothly from day one.

What is the difference between forwarding and moving notice?

These two terms often cause confusion, but they describe two very different postal services that complement each other perfectly.

• The forwarding order (forwarding):This is a postal servicefor you. The post office intercepts shipments at your old address and physically forwards them to your new address. The sender doesn't notice anything. It is a temporary solution to close the gap.
• The move notice:This is a proactive service that you use toinforming others. You instruct the postal service to notify selected companies (such as your bank, insurance company or health insurance company) directly about your new address. This saves you the tedious task of contacting each sender individually.

For a truly clean transition, theCombination of both is the best strategy. The forwarding order is your safety net that catches anything that slips through. At the same time, the move notification ensures that your master data with important partners is permanently updated.

A smooth move depends on many small details. While the forwarding order secures your mail, TIXPI takes care of the safe transport of your furniture. We organize your entire move from planning to delivery - stress-free and at transparent prices. Plan your move with a partner who will take care of the details for you.Entdecken Sie unsere Umzugsservices auf TIXPI.