Downtown Lugano has several highly specialized stores where you can do your daily shopping and where you will find excellent foods and wines.
Step 7 - Settling In
Get a declaration from the Municipality that you actual own a property in the city or village. In case of a condominium the declaration should make a reference to the PPP ("Proprietá Per Piani") and be signed by the mayor. The document is useful when dealing with customs officials when you transport goods to your new residence from outside the country. You can also use the document when claiming back VAT paid on goods purchased in the European Community when transporting them to Switzerland. This may be a painful process when you are not a Swiss resident, but when it concerns typical household goods you should have a good chance of getting back the VAT.
Transporting Household & Personal Belongings to Switzerland- If you relocate to Switzerland (and will get a residence permit) the household goods and personal effects can be brought into the country duty free exclusively for your personal use provided that, prior to the acquisition of your new house or apartment, they have been in use abroad for at least six months in the your own household and that the importation takes place at the actual time of acquisition of the premises. Any new goods will be taxed with VAT and import duties.
- If you just move household goods and personal effects to Switzerland because you acquired a holiday house or apartment, you must pay 7,6% VAT on the value of all the goods imported into the country. There is no refund possible.
Swiss Customs requires detailed inventory lists in either French, German or Italian. Items must be listed and valued separately. To prepare all the necessary Customs Documents an official removal company will charge you around €200,-.
From personal experience I know that to cross the border with household goods in your own car typically occurs without any problems. Just mention “reisegepack für die ferienwohnung” and “alles gebraucht” to the Custom Officials at the border and they will typically let you through.
Once you're moving in do not forget to get a household insurance. You can get one at Nationale Suisse.
Local contacts you may need (in Lugano area):
- For removals contact Pedretti
- For an electrician or to help you connect to the internet contact Spinelli
- If you need a plumber contact Riva
- To register a vehicle or boat contact the "Sezione della Circolazione" of Canton Ticino in Camorino (near Bellinzona)
- For help on renovating, furnishing and/or decorating your property as well as for personalized homecare and facility management, contact Lindo Home
- Lugano Tourism
An interesting blog is the "Life in Lugano or Ticino in general- pros and cons".
Useful Links
- Postal Code Search: http://www.post.ch/
- White Pages: http://tel.local.ch/en
- Yellow Pages: http://yellow.local.ch/en
- Yellow Pages (Kompass - choose Switzerland in "Worldwide" pull-down menu): http://www.kompass.com/
- Uniserv Address Verification
Weather
Restaurants
The best restaurant in Ticino is in my opinion "Da Candida" in Campione d'Italia. Owner and Somelier Bernard Fournier is proud that all his dishes are freshly made and that they prepare everything themselves, "except the mineral water and the wine". Be prepared to pay about CHF 100,- per person and you will have a great and memorable French/Italian lunch or dinner.
On the Lago Maggiore, in the heart of Ascona, in the passageway named Passaggio San Pietro, I strongly recommend the Hostaria San Pietro. Owner
Gino and his wife Sonja and son Enzo are great hosts. They serve grilled, typical Mediterranean, specialties prepared using exclusively fresh ingredients.
Fun 4 Kids
If you have children (or grandchildren) you will want them to have a great time in Ticino. There are many exciting activities you can undertake with them. Here are just some examples:
- Skiing on the San Bernardino, about 40 minutes from both Locarno and Lugano. For further information please visit www.sanbernardino.ch
- For the longest Flying Fox in Switzerland (a flight of 440 m hanging in perfect safety from a rope reaching the speed of 60 km/hour) and an Alpine Coaster Bob Sleigh Ride visit the Monte Tamaro
Schools
You will find local elementary schools and nurseries even in relatively small villages. If you are looking for International Schools we can recommend the following:
- The American School of Switzerland located in Montagnola on the Collina d'Oro, overlooking Lugano and Lake Lugano. Teaching languages include English and Italian. Yearly tuition for day school is around CHF 40.000,-
- The European School of Varese (Italy). Teaching languages include English, French, German, Italian and Dutch. Yearly tuition for day school is about EUR 14.435,-
- Another highly recommended school is the Istituto Elvetico in downtown Lugano. This is a great school to learn Italian and French. The monthly tuition is about CHF 1.000,-