Altiqa

The firm and its profile

Altiqa is a professional advisory firm operating from Lugano with an established presence in both Switzerland and Monaco. The firm presents itself as having consolidated authority built over more than 40 years of experience serving individuals and companies. Its relocation service for individuals is one offering within a broader practice that includes wealth planning and asset protection, tax consultancy and tax planning, corporate accounting and administration, Human Resources services and payroll management, and trusts and foundations (authorized by FINMA since April 2023 to operate as a trustee company). The firm's relocation division explicitly addresses individuals and families moving to Switzerland, framing the move within the context of comprehensive life administration and wealth management rather than purely logistical coordination. This positions it differently from a pure relocation firm, as it draws on the broader financial advisory expertise within the organization and integrates relocation with tax planning and wealth structuring.

The arrival-focused offer

Altiqa describes relocation as a process of managing family or corporate transition to Lugano or elsewhere in Switzerland with a tailor-made and customised service. The firm's positioning emphasizes that relocating to a new country presents administrative and logistical complexities requiring expert management. It states it "has the people, contacts and expertise to simplify these processes and make the relocation to Switzerland quick and painless for you and your family."

For someone arriving, the firm's value proposition differs somewhat from a pure logistics company. Altiqa frames relocation as intertwined with financial and legal planning. The firm highlights that it can assist in both the logistical elements (where to live, how to move goods, how to register) and the financial elements (opening bank accounts, structuring investments, planning wealth after the move). The team's background in tax consultancy and financial planning means it can advise not just on where to set up residence but also on tax implications and financial optimization of the move itself.

Services and how to start

The site lists 7 specific services for individuals relocating: personalised advice, residence permit and administrative assistance, property search, financial management, cultural and linguistic assistance, moving and logistics, and permit management. Personalised advice acknowledges that every relocation is unique and the team will tailor services to specific needs. Residence permit and administrative assistance addresses the bureaucratic complexity, with the firm taking responsibility for permits, tax registration, and legal and administrative issues. Property search involves real estate professionals helping locate the ideal residence. Financial management covers opening bank accounts and optimizing management of financial investments after the move. Cultural and linguistic assistance provides practical information on daily life in Lugano, Ticino and Switzerland, with help overcoming language barriers. Moving and logistics coordinates the physical transport of belongings, ensuring they arrive safely and organized. Permit management handles paperwork for obtaining necessary residence and work permits.

The site names several team members with specific roles. Monya Cerulli holds the title of Corporate Consultant, Human Resources Specialist Consultant, and Relocation Advisor. Donato Rizzi is listed as Real Estate Consultant and Real Estate Advisor. Isabella Cirilli holds roles in Administration and as a Home and Family Officer. Eveline Aliotta works as a Human Resources Consultant and Accountant. Natasha Gianinazzi specializes in Personnel Practice Management, Administration and Accounting, and serves as Relocation Officer.

On cost, the site does not publish pricing for relocation services. Like many advisory firms, Altiqa appears to work on a customised-engagement basis where costs depend on the scope of services and may bundle relocation with broader financial advisory retainers. A prospective client reading the site would need to contact the firm to learn what relocation assistance costs independently or as part of a broader engagement. The firm's positioning around wealth planning and FINMA trustee authorization suggests it caters to clients with substantial assets, which may correlate with higher service fees.

What remains uncertain

The site does not detail exactly how long the relocation process takes from initial consultation through final settlement, or whether that timeline differs for individuals versus corporate relocations. It also does not specify whether the firm has dedicated relocation staff assigned exclusively to relocation coordination or whether relocation advisory draws from the broader team of accountants, HR consultants, and wealth advisors depending on demand. A client might reasonably wonder whether a firm primarily known for tax and wealth planning applies the same expertise and focus to relocation coordination that a dedicated relocation agency would, or whether relocation is a secondary service drawing on existing staff.

The site does not describe how the firm's dual presence in Lugano and Monaco affects its capacity or focus on Switzerland relocation versus relocation to the Principality. For someone without banking and financial planning needs, it is unclear whether Altiqa's service model makes sense, given that the firm's broader identity is financial advisory rather than relocation services alone. The site does not specify whether the firm can assist with moves to cities other than Lugano, or whether its network of contacts and local knowledge concentrates in the Ticino region and the southern Swiss territory. There is no indication of how many relocations Altiqa has handled or how the firm measures success in relocation outcomes versus wealth management. The site also does not clarify whether Altiqa requires clients to use its financial and tax services as a condition of relocation work, or whether someone can engage the relocation arm independently. Finally, while the site mentions "tailor-made" service, there is no transparency on pricing, engagement model, or typical cost ranges, making cost comparison difficult for prospective clients.

Who this suits

Altiqa works well for individuals and families relocating to Switzerland who have meaningful financial assets to manage and value integrated financial and legal planning alongside logistics. It appeals to expatriate professionals who want to structure their finances strategically as part of the move. The firm's background in tax consultancy makes it a fit for anyone concerned with tax optimization after relocating to Switzerland. The emphasis on wealth planning and trusts suggests it works particularly well for high-net-worth individuals or families planning longer-term wealth structuring as part of the relocation.

For someone moving with minimal assets, seeking straightforward logistics help, or wanting to keep relocation and financial planning separate, Altiqa's comprehensive advisory model might not be the right fit. Similarly, someone relocating to a region where Altiqa has less local presence or expertise might find a distributed specialist more useful. The financial advisory focus also means the firm's pricing and engagement model may be higher-touch and higher-cost than a pure logistics relocation company.