 | | | 
14.07.2021, 21:19
| Newbie | | Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Basel
Posts: 1
Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany
Hi guys I am about move to Switzerland from Germany but I just wonder about bureaucracy in Switzerland in Germany it took nearly 6 months to change my previous driving license that I got from Turkey. How long it takes to make a change likw this and how it goes and works general bureaucracy in Switzerland? I hope it is faster than Deutsche Bürokratie.. 😄😄
| This user groans at cskolik for this post: | | 
14.07.2021, 21:33
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pfäffikon SZ
Posts: 2,445
Groaned at 26 Times in 25 Posts
Thanked 3,323 Times in 1,412 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany
OP - the people I’ve known who have moved the other way have complained about how slow and bureaucratic processes are.
Anytime I’ve dealt with the authorities here they have been efficient and polite.
Last edited by fatmanfilms; 15.07.2021 at 09:58.
Reason: Deleted quote & direct response
| The following 2 users would like to thank eyebeebe for this useful post: | | 
14.07.2021, 21:33
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SZ
Posts: 3,451
Groaned at 316 Times in 219 Posts
Thanked 6,916 Times in 2,931 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Hi guys I am about move to Switzerland from Germany but I just wonder about bureaucracy in Switzerland in Germany it took nearly 6 months to change my previous driving license that I got from Turkey. How long it takes to make a change likw this and how it goes and works general bureaucracy in Switzerland? I hope it is faster than Deutsche Bürokratie.. 😄😄 | | | | | Public service works very well here, and contrary to Germany is actually a service. A service you pay for. Changing driving license will be easy, but probably cost you 60 CHF or more.
| The following 2 users would like to thank komsomolez for this useful post: | | 
14.07.2021, 21:39
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SZ
Posts: 3,451
Groaned at 316 Times in 219 Posts
Thanked 6,916 Times in 2,931 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Jesus Tom, that’s offensive, even by your standards! | | | | | He has this closet crush on Von der Leyen, and hates himself for it. Not his fault, a victim of the circumstances.
| The following 6 users would like to thank komsomolez for this useful post: | | 
14.07.2021, 22:52
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SG
Posts: 10,024
Groaned at 579 Times in 419 Posts
Thanked 13,467 Times in 7,001 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Hi guys I am about move to Switzerland from Germany but I just wonder about bureaucracy in Switzerland in Germany it took nearly 6 months to change my previous driving license that I got from Turkey. How long it takes to make a change likw this and how it goes and works general bureaucracy in Switzerland? I hope it is faster than Deutsche Bürokratie.. 😄😄 | | | | | Since Switzerland is a capitalist country it all depends on the bakshish.
| 
14.07.2021, 23:01
|  | Mod, Chips and Mushy Peas | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Albisrieden
Posts: 5,417
Groaned at 167 Times in 104 Posts
Thanked 8,658 Times in 3,208 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany
I have heard Ticino is nice. According to one resident.
| The following 2 users would like to thank nickatbasel for this useful post: | | 
14.07.2021, 23:02
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 8,804
Groaned at 324 Times in 248 Posts
Thanked 20,232 Times in 7,057 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Hi guys I am about move to Switzerland from Germany but I just wonder about bureaucracy in Switzerland in Germany it took nearly 6 months to change my previous driving license that I got from Turkey. How long it takes to make a change likw this and how it goes and works general bureaucracy in Switzerland? I hope it is faster than Deutsche Bürokratie.. 😄😄 | | | | | Welcome! You seem to be a great asset for the forum.
| 
14.07.2021, 23:15
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Thalwil
Posts: 1,386
Groaned at 66 Times in 46 Posts
Thanked 1,512 Times in 761 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Public service works very well here, and contrary to Germany is actually a service. A service you pay for. Changing driving license will be easy, but probably cost you 60 CHF or more. | | | | | To change a driving licence issued in Turkey they would need to have a Kontrollfahrt.
| 
14.07.2021, 23:21
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SZ
Posts: 3,451
Groaned at 316 Times in 219 Posts
Thanked 6,916 Times in 2,931 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | To change a driving licence issued in Turkey they would need to have a Kontrollfahrt. | | | | | I presume OP has a German license now. Which would need to be changed within a year from taking residence here.
| 
15.07.2021, 07:13
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Thalwil
Posts: 1,386
Groaned at 66 Times in 46 Posts
Thanked 1,512 Times in 761 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | I presume OP has a German license now. Which would need to be changed within a year from taking residence here. | | | | | it doesn't. You just cannot drive after one year but you may change it later if you want.
| This user would like to thank TinyK for this useful post: | | 
15.07.2021, 07:53
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Zuerich
Posts: 709
Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanked 854 Times in 403 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | it took nearly 6 months to change my previous driving license that I got from Turkey. How long it takes to make a change likw this | | | | | 21 hours between the delivery of the form at the Motor Office and the pickup of the new license in my physical mailbox.
(plus a quick visit at the Optics a couple of days before) | Quote: |  | | | and how it goes and works general bureaucracy in Switzerland? | | | | | Simple things are generally fast, but of course there are exceptions. | Quote: | |  | | | it doesn't. You just cannot drive after one year but you may change it later if you want. | | | | | Don't you have to redo the driving test after 1 year?
| 
16.07.2021, 13:07
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Port-Valais (was SFO)
Posts: 448
Groaned at 5 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 327 Times in 182 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany
I was age 77 when I exchanged my driver licence. I gave them my French one which was worthless anyway as EU licences are not valid after age 70 if you don't live in the issuing country, and my Florida one (still valid, they returned it). I had to submit both an optician's and a doctor's report. Now, two years later, I have to do those all over again. Unlike in Britain where every two years a driver over 70 self-certifies his/her medical capacity to drive, or Florida where unless you get some kind of moving violation that calls into question your ability you can drive forever. I gave up my Quebec licence last year after 50 years because I'm not going back there and gave up my second home--Quebec requires periodic medical tests from age 70 as well. And it cost C$100 a year because it includes some insurance.
Once the paperwork (sent via the Foreigner's Office in my commune of residence) got to Sion, the licence was issued in a few days together with a bill for 123.50 of which 70 francs related to the exchange of a foreign licence and 53.50 for the licence itself. I'm outside the country and delayed returning from the UK due to quarantine nuisance; they extended my medical deadline for me from July to mid-September. If I can't meet that deadline I'll have to post them the licence and they'll reissue it (and charge me another 53.50) when I do pass the medical.
By comparison, a 90+ y.o. friend in Maryland was falsely accused of scraping another car (they both are insured by Geico who affirmed the cars never touched); but the police had been called and on the spot revoked his licence on the basis of the purported "accident". It cost him a fortune in specialist doctors and lawyers to get his licence reinstated, and that took six months.
| 
16.07.2021, 13:44
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Port-Valais (was SFO)
Posts: 448
Groaned at 5 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 327 Times in 182 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | I presume OP has a German license now. Which would need to be changed within a year from taking residence here. | | | | | EU countries and still the UK will not waive theory and practical tests when you offer another EU licence in exchange unless you at some time passed theory and practical tests in an EU country or if the licence you exchanged to get it is also on the new country's happy list. I had to take the UK theory and practical: third time lucky on the practical. I think my kids all passed first or second try but driving around London with UK diplomatic licence (they issue the old red booklet, valid 3 years at a time) makes one a sloppy driver.
My spouse could not exchange a Swiss licence for a UK one because the Swiss licence had been issued based on a NY licence and diplomatic privileges.
Don't know how Swiss law compares.
| This user would like to thank Caryl for this useful post: | | 
16.07.2021, 13:49
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SZ
Posts: 3,451
Groaned at 316 Times in 219 Posts
Thanked 6,916 Times in 2,931 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | EU countries and still the UK will not waive theory and practical tests when you offer another EU licence in exchange unless you at some time passed theory and practical tests in an EU country or if the licence you exchanged to get it is also on the new country's happy list.
My spouse could not exchange a Swiss licence for a UK one because the Swiss licence had been issued based on a NY licence and diplomatic privileges.
Don't know how Swiss law compares. | | | | | The Swiss will convert your German license into a Swiss one without any test. I believe you only need to have your eyesight checked.
| 
18.07.2021, 11:23
| Senior Member | | Join Date: May 2012 Location: zugish
Posts: 317
Groaned at 18 Times in 12 Posts
Thanked 306 Times in 157 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany
German bureaucracy went a long way in costing them the war. Interesting documentary about it on Smithsonian recently.
| This user would like to thank mossie for this useful post: | | 
18.07.2021, 14:08
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Zürich
Posts: 8,735
Groaned at 385 Times in 264 Posts
Thanked 13,143 Times in 4,507 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | German bureaucracy went a long way in costing them the war. Interesting documentary about it on Smithsonian recently. | | | | | Yeh, and they were Nazis…
| This user would like to thank AbFab for this useful post: | | 
18.07.2021, 15:45
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Zurich
Posts: 12,361
Groaned at 338 Times in 274 Posts
Thanked 26,263 Times in 11,000 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Yeh, and they were Nazis… | | | | | Terrible.
Who would have thought.
| 
18.07.2021, 17:38
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Zurich
Posts: 3,954
Groaned at 79 Times in 58 Posts
Thanked 4,223 Times in 2,274 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | German bureaucracy went a long way in costing them the war. Interesting documentary about it on Smithsonian recently. | | | | | That, and the corruption. 1/3 of the people actually believed in the stuff, 1/3 just went along and the rest was just in it to line their own pockets.
Anyway, German bureaucracy goes back over 100 years. The flags may have changed from time to time (and the pictures on the wall), but the spirit hasn't.
Switzerland is in a different universe, really.
I mean, it can work - look at Tesla's Brandenburg' factory - but it requires a tremendous effort on all sides and constant "pushing".
Having enough money to pay lawyers, contractors and even more lawyers probably helps a lot, though.
| The following 3 users would like to thank rainer_d for this useful post: | | 
18.07.2021, 18:25
| Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Luzern
Posts: 622
Groaned at 36 Times in 26 Posts
Thanked 820 Times in 391 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | ...Having enough money to pay lawyers, contractors and even more lawyers probably helps a lot, though. | | | | | Were you ever involved in Swiss process of building some new? Maybe try to renovate an old farm house into a home up to modern standards? One floor more, even where it is aloved? etc
Let me tell you, the process is very slow, as in any working democratic country. They ask everyone. Usualy 3 times. I find the process good, even when it is often extremly anoying and I am pissed on (temporary) on most on the involved people.
| This user would like to thank nejc for this useful post: | | 
19.07.2021, 08:23
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Swiss Confederation
Posts: 11,501
Groaned at 409 Times in 335 Posts
Thanked 17,648 Times in 8,925 Posts
| | Re: Bureaucracy in Switzerland compare to Germany | Quote: | |  | | | Anyway, German bureaucracy goes back over 100 years. The flags may have changed from time to time (and the pictures on the wall), but the spirit hasn't.
. | | | | | That's still probably nothing compared to French bureaucracy, the forefathers of any of them. | This user would like to thank greenmount for this useful post: | |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT +2. The time now is 18:02. | |