Hi people.!
I've spent a few hours trawling through what I can on the many questions I have!
firstly! Wow! what a resource!!

The amount I have learnt is imeasurable! From getting accomodation, to receiving SKY! :-)

Ok. My questions!

My girlfriend and myself intend on packing up the car, and driving to BERNE at the end of October!

I'm an IT consultant, and my girlfriend is currently a care assistant for adults wit learning disabilities.

I know that we can stay as visitors for 3 months.
I (am sure) also need to register my car with the authoroties within a few days.
I also understand about medical insurance etc..
We are UK citzens with UK passports with at least 6 years left on the passports.
We also intend on finding some cheap accomodation. (If anyone in BERNE has a room to let, please msg me! :-) )

1) Can we Just find work, and stay? From what I've read, thiis is a patchy area.!
2) if yes to 1) do we then apply for residency?
3) if no to 2) do we need to apply for residency first?
3) My car is a Rover 820Sli M reg. Can I drive it into CH, and re-register it as a CH car?
4) Just to clarify, I can use my UK driving licence for 12 months.. (??) Then will need to take a CH "TEST"
5) Dog at cat can come, depending on Rabies Vacc... (Clarify??)
6) When will I be able to apply for a Bank account? Work permit? Residence Permit?
7) Can we do ANY job? I fancy cleaning chalets in the alps... (???)
8) (Slightly odd question) Will UK credit history be taken into account when applying for a tenency?
9) Does anyone living in BERNE offer us a room to rent! Oh. I covered that one.
10) If we rented a room with someone, does that count as a residence??
11) apologies for the million questions, but we're really excited about the change on scenery!!!!
12) Will my (UK) television work in CH?
13) ........... questions questions. More will come I'm sure!

If there's any one in BERNE that fancies meeting up at the end of October, then please msg me!

Sorry for the questions! I HAVE read through what I can, but a lot of it is very general, and I don't feel that what I have here maybe all applies to me!

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to maybe seeing some of you in CH v soon!!

EXCITED!!!!!!!!

I tried editing, but couldn't..

Would someone please xplain about car insurance in CH too..
I had quotes from 500CHF to 2200CHF

Au contraire,

The questions you list have been answered several times for people in your specific situation.

The one I see that may not be easily found is ref UK credit history - there is no connection between Swiss and UK credit agency scum at the moment. However, as a new arrival you will be less likely to secure credit until you have a year or so under your belt.

Other than that, use the search function and your questions will be answered. If you find that you have a specific issue related to one of the answers but not excatlky the same, then post your question in the associated thread.

thanks for your dam quick response swissbob! Great avatar by the way!

I think "general" was maybe the wrong word!!
My confusion IS that if we drive on up, park up, get a hotel.... Then what? Can I just start applying for jobs? Can I simply go a look for a place to live??

You do not state whether either of you speaks/writes German. Unless you have a special skill and have been transferred/ headhunted for a position, you are frankly going to have trouble finding work without speaking Bern-deutsch / High German...

By girlfriend speaks german.. (Hasn't used it in about 12 years, but is constantly brushing up!)
I can ask for a beer!

1) Can we Just find work, and stay? From what I've read, thiis is a patchy area.
Yep you can arrive and start applying for jobs. As long as you can pay you will be able to stay in Hotels, short term apartment lets.
2) if yes to 1) do we then apply for residency?
You can stay for 3 months without registering, when you get your job register.
3) if no to 2) do we need to apply for residency first?
3) My car is a Rover 820Sli M reg. Can I drive it into CH, and re-register it as a CH car?
You can drive it and register it here, you will have to change your plates to Swiss ones - Which will make selling it interesting.
You can ask your UK insurer to extend your European cover, or maybe you already have 90 day cover. My advice get rid of the UK car as soon as possible,and get a banger in Swissyland
4) Just to clarify, I can use my UK driving licence for 12 months.. (??) Then will need to take a CH "TEST"
Get a Swiss license within 12 months. No need to take a test. After 12 months then yes you need to take a test.
5) Dog at cat can come, depending on Rabies Vacc... (Clarify??)
If you haven't done this already then your pets aren't coming. You need to get them chipped by the vet (ID tag under skin) Then apply for a pet passport.
Then a rabies vaccination, and then wait 6 months...strictly this isn't 100% necessary Switzerland will "probably" let you in with your dog without a rabies vaccination but then you might have issues finding a dog walker, Vet sitter in Switzerland, and you certainly won't be taking your Animals back to England.
Ask your vet in the Uk and make sure they know what they are talking about.
6) When will I be able to apply for a Bank account? Work permit? Residence Permit?
If you have a job , or lots of money you can get all of the above.
7) Can we do ANY job? I fancy cleaning chalets in the alps... (???)
You can do any job that someone will employ you to do.
8) (Slightly odd question) Will UK credit history be taken into account when applying for a tenency?
Nope
9) Does anyone living in BERNE offer us a room to rent! Oh. I covered that one.
10) If we rented a room with someone, does that count as a residence??
the landlord should declare it, and you should therefore register.
11) apologies for the million questions, but we're really excited about the change on scenery!!!!
Good luck.
12) Will my (UK) television work in CH?
It will work, but your receiver (if the telly has one) won't.
13) ........... questions questions. More will come I'm sure!

Planthead!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!

Coming from a rabies free country the rabies certificate is not required. Cats do not require a chip nor need they be registered.

It seems Planthead has answered all your questions, more or less, so welcome to EF and good luck with your move/visit.
You do need to be sure you have something special to offer your future employer. English is a good start, but lack of local languages is going to hurt.
What kind of work are you seeking?
My wife works for an IT placement firm, send me your CV and I'll forward it on. (go through my profile and send it to my business address.)

This is true, however it was stated to me by our (new) vet that border guards aren't always so aware of the rules and may create problems if you do not have a passport properly stamped.
They also may ask if you have let the dog out of car in a country you went through France etc. where Rabies is an issue and then stop you bringing your dog into the country.

Not a cat owner but I thought the rules applied equally
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...res/owners.htm

Try reading 'Living and Working in Switzerland' by David Hampshire. You can get it from most large bookstores in England (and amazon). It should provide you with most of the information you need

????
You're link is broken

I've got 2 months to learn at least enough to get by!

Thanks for all your comments!

I also sent you my CV to your support address.. hope that was the right one! Most appreciated!!

Thanks
Doug!!!

and if I knew how to THANKS and GROAN, i'd send my thanks!

click on the buttons at the bottom of the person text comments, "thanks groan, quote".
unless you are going to groan ME, then ignore the above information

YOU MAY NEED 10 POSTS BEFORE THESE BUTTONS APPEAR.

well received and has been passed on..
Good luck. and you're welcome

Ouch, sounds painful, the book can be found on amazon or most online bookstores

I think you need 10 posts before this feature becomes active (just noticed PCDesigns already added this info)

when we did all the necessary jabs etc.. to get a pet passport for our dog it was 6 weeks not 6 months, had the jab had to wait 6 weeks then she was free to come over.

If your GF wants to work in her field, she may find it difficult, depending on her level of German fluency, and what certifications she does or doesn't hold. My hubs' best friend (Swiss) has a German girlfriend who moved here last year. She works in the same field. She is a native German speaker and still found it challenging to find a place (she did eventually and loves her job). I do know that all the Swiss employers she contacted were very insistent on a certain certification - I don't know the name/acronym. But there is some exam you can take and obtain this certification, and that was pretty much a must, in addition to fluency in German.

Best of luck as you consider your options.