Sgier + Partner

What It Is

Sgier + Partner is a Swiss law firm and relocation consultancy based in Zurich (Molkenstrasse 15, 8004 Zurich) that has been operating since 2001. The firm's stated specialization is "obtaining work permits and providing relocation services." It operates across all Swiss cantons and serves clients in both English and German. The firm's core immigration services center on work permits and residence permits, the two legal hurdles every foreign employee faces when relocating to Switzerland. The firm also operates as an exclusive strategic partner with Packimpex, a relocation company, giving it a two-track approach: legal counsel to secure the permit and logistical support to settle the person once the permit clears. Contact is by phone (+41 44 228 78 90), email (info@sgierpartner.ch), or an online form to book a consultation.

For Someone Arriving

A person arriving to work in Switzerland must navigate two parallel paths: securing a work permit from cantonal authorities and finding housing. Sgier + Partner addresses both simultaneously. On the immigration side, the firm offers individual immigration case assessments, a consultation to understand the applicant's path, determine which permit category applies (L permit for employees, B permit for specialists or cross-border workers, C permit for longer-term residents, or founder permits for business owners), and plan the realistic timeline. This is valuable because Swiss permit eligibility is cantonal and nationality-specific: a citizen of one country with a particular job title may qualify for a straightforward L permit in Zurich but face a B-permit requirement in Geneva, or may be ineligible altogether in some cantons. For employers, the firm offers a Swiss-Permit-Check, a pre-assessment service that determines whether a foreign specialist can legally be hired under Swiss immigration rules and in which category before the employer invests time in recruiting, extends an offer, or relocates the candidate. The firm also manages Permit24, a branded service the site mentions but does not detail, though the name suggests an expedited or guaranteed pathway. On the relocation side, the firm's home-finding team (operated through Packimpex) handles the full arc of locating and securing an apartment, often the larger frustration for a relocating foreigner, since rental applications in Switzerland strongly favor local applicants and those who can communicate in the regional language. Landlords require proof of employment or a binding employment offer, financial statements, references from previous landlords, and often conduct phone interviews in Swiss German, French, or Italian; the firm handles much of this correspondence on behalf of the applicant. The firm can coordinate this housing search while the permit is still processing, compressing the total arrival timeline from a typical three-to-four-month arc into weeks.

What The Page Details

The site focuses on the home-finding relocation services, which Sgier + Partner bundles in three tiers through Packimpex. The Superhero package (CHF 950) includes expert feedback on up to 20 property advertisements, the firm calling to set up up to 8 viewings on the applicant's behalf, and completion and filing of up to 3 rental applications. This tier is for someone comfortable doing much of the work themselves but wanting professional guidance and local network access. The Teamplayer package (CHF 1,750) adds a relocation consultant to the process, still an active role from the client, but with professional supervision and handover verification to prevent disputes over the property's condition. This tier appeals to someone relocating with families or multiple dependencies, where on-site guidance prevents costly misunderstandings. The VIP package (CHF 3,750) is full-service: the firm does all research, advertising review, calling, and applications; the client attends viewings with a relocation consultant who provides local insight and handles the rental handover comprehensively. This tier is designed for executives, busy professionals, or people relocating from far away who cannot afford time zone mismatches or language barriers. All packages include Swiss language skills (the firm conducts phone calls and correspondence in German or French, depending on the canton), access to Packimpex's network relationships with landlords (described as "door-opening," which is crucial since many Swiss landlords refuse unknown applicants), and knowledge of Swiss rental contract norms and lease review. Packimpex itself was founded 1977, employs over 150 people, and operates thirteen offices across Switzerland, covering major cities and smaller cantons alike. The immigration side of Sgier + Partner allows booking a case assessment or a Swiss-Permit-Check through the site, though the page does not state fees, timelines, or required documents for these consultations.

What Remains Unclear

The site does not publish immigration fees. The site does not explain how fees scale by permit category (employee permits, founder permits, and spousal permits each have different requirements, suggesting they may have different costs, but the site does not state this). It does not state typical timelines, how long from initial assessment to filed application, or from application to approval. It does not describe which cantons are served by the immigration team or clarify whether all thirteen Packimpex offices have equal access to Sgier + Partner's legal support (some relocation firms split offices by geography). The page does not detail Permit24 or what distinguishes it from a standard case assessment. It does not explain whether the immigration team will represent a client in an appeal if a permit application is rejected, nor whether it handles appeals at the federal level or only canton-level recourse. The home-finding packages mention "rental applications" but do not specify what documents Sgier + Partner will prepare (rental history, employment letter, financial statements) or whether the firm will advise if an application is rejected by a landlord. Someone calling for a consultation does not learn whether they should have a job offer first, whether the firm takes cases where the employer will apply for the permit or only cases where the individual drives the process, or what the minimum case complexity is (the site is silent on whether "simple" cases are handled or referred).

Who It Suits

Sgier + Partner suits a person or a family arriving to work in Switzerland who wants the immigration and housing pieces handled by coordinated vendors. An employer hiring a foreign specialist benefits from the Swiss-Permit-Check upfront, which gates a recruiting investment before the firm commits resources. A person relocating mid-year with teenage children can use Sgier + Partner to secure an apartment before the school year starts and the family's legal status is resolved, compressing a typically three-to-four-month process. The firm's thirteen Packimpex offices mean a client relocating to Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, or a smaller canton has on-the-ground support. The home-finding packages are priced from CHF 950 to CHF 3,750, and immigration fees are not published. It does not suit an EU or EFTA citizen, who faces simpler registration requirements than non-EU arrivals and does not need a residence permit. It does not suit someone whose move is uncertain or far off, since the home-finding packages are priced for active apartment hunting. It does not suit someone arriving as a dependent of a Swiss national or an existing permit holder, since those paths follow different legal corridors that do not require Sgier + Partner's services.