Lodge Relocation

What the business is

Lodge Relocation is one of Switzerland's oldest relocation agencies, founded in 1994. The firm operates 4 offices: Geneva, Lausanne, Zug and Zurich, with around 30 employees and a stated presence in every canton. Its own words: "Since 1994, Lodge Relocation has been simplifying the international mobility of companies and individuals in Switzerland." The firm describes itself as having "over 30 years of expertise", a phrase that is technically aligned with its founding year, and positions itself as a key actor in the Swiss relocation industry. The site publishes a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on Google based on 192 reviews, a substantial sample, and membership in SARA Switzerland and EURA Europe (industry associations). The firm also holds a Gold medal from EcoVadis, a third-party assessment of business practices.

For someone arriving

Lodge Relocation breaks its services into immigration and relocation tracks. The immigration side handles the often-thorny legal and administrative foundation: permit requests for residents living in Switzerland, coordination for cross-border workers, seconded employees, family settlement, students and interns. It also manages renewals, canton changes, early C permit requests, C permit suspension, and departure formalities for those leaving. The relocation side covers arrival and integration (orientation tours, cultural integration programmes, fiscal advice), family support (schooling placement, creche searches, spousal employment and integration support), home search (both temporary furnished apartments and permanent properties), and corporate relocation management for employers moving employees. The site positions these as complementary: legal status is sorted first, then practical settlement. A new resident would typically begin with permit coordination, move into home search and school placement, and conclude with orientation and integration support. The dual-track approach acknowledges that legal residency and practical living are separate problems with different timelines.

The specific services and client categories the site details

Lodge targets several categories explicitly. Permit services are broken down by status: residents (straightforward), cross-border workers (a complex category with canton-specific rules), seconded employees (those assigned to Switzerland by employers), family settlement (dependents joining permit holders), students and interns (with their own visa pathways), and "specific situations" including self-employed individuals and business owners (non-residents establishing Swiss companies). For relocation, the firm lists "our team will get back to you within 24 hours," suggesting a commitment to response time and accessibility. Family support includes schooling, creche and spousal integration, indicating the firm recognizes that spousal careers and child placement are often relocation blockers. The site names specific geographic reach: Geneva, Lausanne, Zug and Zurich as office locations, with services extended to other cantons through what it describes as "regional and operational presence." The firm emphasizes "local partners" and "strong roots" in each region, suggesting it relies on networks rather than full staffing everywhere. The testimonial samples mention specific agent names (Giulia Borra, Barbara, Florence, Claire), with stories of properties found in 2 weeks, early access to competitive markets, and agents going "beyond tasks," suggesting individual consultant quality matters and is reviewed publicly.

The firm's track record and affiliations

Lodge claims over 70 international corporate clients built over years, suggesting client retention and repeat business rather than transactional one-offs. The SARA Switzerland membership indicates adherence to Swiss relocation-industry standards and a seat at the industry table. EURA (European Relocation Association) membership suggests cross-border expertise and professional development. The Gold medal award from EcoVadis indicates some third-party assessment of business practices, though the site does not detail what EcoVadis evaluated or the criteria. The 4.9 Google rating is based on 192 reviews, a substantial dataset; sample reviews praise individual consultants by name (Giulia Borra, Barbara, Florence, Claire) for responsiveness, knowledge, professionalism and "going beyond tasks," suggesting the firm invests in training and culture. One reviewer stated "without Florence I would have been homeless" (hyperbole, but indicating high-stakes value delivery); another called the apartment-search process "arduous" but said the consultant made it "smooth and simple," admitting the underlying task is hard but crediting the firm with skill and care. These testimonials suggest consistency across consultants, not one exceptional standout.

What the site does not clarify

Despite the detailed service list, Lodge publishes no pricing: there is no cost for permit coordination, home search, schooling assistance, family support or corporate relocation management. It is unclear whether fees are hourly, fixed, success-based (e.g., a percentage of a property purchase), or packaged. The site does not state typical timelines: how long a permit request takes (varies by type and canton), how long home search typically spans, or how far in advance a company should engage for a corporate relocation. The site names no individual consultants beyond the sample testimonials, so there is no way to know specializations or experience before contacting the firm. The specifics of "corporate relocation management" are not broken down: does it include relocation allowances, taxation, spouse employment support, all 3? Does it handle all administrative and financial aspects or just some? The creche and schooling support details are missing: does the firm handle applications, tuition negotiations, integration coaching, or just information? The "fiscal advice" mentioned for arrivals is not detailed: does it cover cantonal tax planning, wealth tax, business tax, ongoing advice, or pre-arrival assessment only? The departure services are mentioned without detail. The site does not explain how local networks are built or used, or whether the 4 offices represent equal capacity or vary in size and depth.

The firm's positioning and who it suits

Lodge positions itself as an experienced, established, relationship-focused firm serving both expatriate individuals and multinational companies. The long history (since 1994), substantial team (around 30 people), multi-office presence, and industry memberships signal stability and scale. The testimonial focus on individual consultants and their responsiveness suggests the firm prioritizes personal relationships over process checklists. The emphasis on 24-hour response times and "proactive team with a human approach" indicates a service-oriented culture. Lodge suits companies relocating employees (especially those familiar with the firm's other clients), families with complex situations (spouse careers, mid-year schooling), expatriates unfamiliar with Swiss law and administration, and anyone wanting an established, vetted partner rather than a solo operator. The 4 offices mean Swiss geographic reach without the expense of a national office in every canton. The cross-border worker category is significant: many people move to Switzerland for employment in a different country and need specialized permit guidance. Anyone seeking transparent pricing, detailed timeline estimates or published expert bios will need to contact the firm directly. Budget-conscious relocators may find the established-firm positioning signals premium pricing, though the site does not confirm this. The firm's German language offering is strong (German-speaking Switzerland accounts for most of Switzerland's population), but those needing other languages will need to inquire about availability.