Hi there,

I've just recently accepted a job offer to work at a hotel in Zurich Airport. I'll be moving from Aberdeen, UK, but I'm really starting to panic about all the legal stuff, as I've only moved once before (Ireland-UK). The hotel are providing accommodation for the first month to enable me to find an apartment. Can I use the hotel as an address to sort out my residency, and open a bank account, at say, the Post Office? I'm due to move at the end of May. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Catháir

Have no fear.....My understanding is that you can apply for a bank account without a permanent address in CH; using your international address (extra CHF 30). I suggest that you open it now using your Scottish address and change once you have moved, otherwise it might be problematic.

I used a hotel address when I moved from the UK and opened a bank account. I also registered at the Kreisburo near to the hotel. Then when I found my apartment I re-registered at the new address. No problems.

Thank you very much guys for the quick response. That's one worry out of the way . Does anyone have any idea on the best way for me to find accommodation with a move in of 1.July. I won't be moving until the end of May, so it doesn't really give me enough time. Is 5 weeks enough time to find a place? I was looking at spending no more than CHF1200-1300, whether that be flatshare or 1 bedroom.

you should be able to get a decent flat share in Zurich or Winterthur for 900. Look here - http://www.wgzimmer.ch/

For your own place, Winterthur is cheaper and not so far from the airport. Will is a little further but you wold get a decent flat there for 1200.

5 weeks is definitely enough for a flatshare, in Wil it would also be enough. Zurich and Winterthur are tough accommodation markets.

I had no problem opening a bank account and registering with a hotel address.

When you answer adverts, do not send any money! Only pay a deposit into a blocked bank account in your name, this is the legal way.

This site might whet your appetite, there should be plenty of (WG)Wohngemeinschaft rooms around as students have left Switzerland,

http://www.wgzimmer.ch/home.cfm?land=CH&lang=EN

This one looks super, but the advert is 10 days old, http://www.0o0.ch/moosbrunnenstrasse.html