Swiss Association of Relocation Agents

What SARA is and does

SARA is the Swiss Association of Relocation Agents, founded in 2003. It is not a relocation service itself, but rather a professional association representing the industry. The site describes itself as "the collective voice of Switzerland's relocation professionals, advancing the profession while actively defending the interests of members committed to excellence, integrity, and a strict code of conduct."

The distinction matters. When you contact SARA, you are not hiring a moving company or a relocation consultant. You are reaching the official Swiss network of vetted relocation professionals, a directory designed to connect you with a member agency that meets the association's standards.

In 2023, SARA celebrated its 20th anniversary, which the site notes as "honoring two decades of achievement and reaffirming our commitment to shaping a strong, credible, and forward-looking future."

SARA's purpose and mission

SARA's mission is stated in four commitments. First, it fosters "knowledge and understanding of the challenges surrounding corporate mobility and to elevate industry performance through communication and education." Second, it serves as the "Official Swiss regional representative of the European Relocation Association," bringing international standards and training to the Swiss market. Third, it sets a "Strong Framework" by shaping "a clear legal and professional environment that enables the Swiss Relocation Industry to grow, thrive and evolve sustainably." Fourth, it builds trust as "a Trusted Public Partner," constructing "long-term constructive relationships with governmental and regulatory authorities."

These statements reveal that SARA sees itself as both a professional body and a public advocate for relocation as a professional practice in Switzerland.

What relocation services are, according to SARA

The site defines relocation comprehensively: "Relocation is about people and their individual circumstances as much as it is about business growth and expansion. In today's global environment, organisations depend on relocated employees reaching full effectiveness as quickly and smoothly as possible. When personal and practical needs are properly addressed, employees can focus on their roles, enabling companies to protect their investment and achieve optimal return on international mobility."

The definition acknowledges that relocation is not logistics alone; it is the arc from an employee's personal circumstances through their settling into a new location and reaching productivity again.

The full scope of relocation services

SARA's member directory lists 18 service categories that relocation agencies typically offer. These span the phases of relocation: before arrival (HR consulting, site selection, pre-departure planning, visa and immigration, home finding, pre-move orientation, language and cross-cultural training), during arrival (short-term accommodation, settling-in services, school search and education counseling, ongoing destination support and concierge services, household goods move management, animal move, furniture rental), and after the move (career partner assistance, tenancy management, property management, financial services, expatriate expense management, repatriation assistance).

The breadth indicates that "relocation" in the Swiss professional sense encompasses far more than shipping boxes. The most pressing needs for an executive arriving in Zurich are not transport; they are finding a home, placing a child in school, navigating visa requirements, and bridging the cultural shift from one market to another.

How SARA vets its members

SARA membership is "subject to a rigorous qualification process designed to ensure the highest levels of professionalism, competence, and ethical conduct." The site states: "Membership provides a clear guarantee of quality and reliability, offering tangible added value both to companies already established in Switzerland and to organisations seeking expert support when relocating business activities to Switzerland."

There are two tiers of membership. Full Members are relocation companies themselves. Affiliate Members are companies offering services that complement relocation (property managers, schools, financial advisors, etc.) and serve either corporate clients directly or Full Members.

A key requirement is compliance with SARA's Code of Conduct. The site emphasizes: "All members are required to comply fully with the Association's Code of Conduct, ensuring consistent, responsible, and client-focused practices."

SARA also promotes the EuRA Quality Seal, which is described as "the world's first accreditation programme dedicated to relocation service providers." The EuRA Academy offers the Managing International Mobility qualification, a professional credential SARA members can pursue.

The executive board

SARA publishes the names of its executive committee and the member company each one represents. The committee includes Guillaume Bédat at Welcome Service, Micaela Paz at ReloNest, Gaël Constantin at Homenhancement, Damian Aebischer at Packimpex, Arthur Napoly at Lodge Relocation, Bella Nokes at Cityus, and Daphné Stauffer at La Boutique Relocation. Sabine E. Baerlocher serves as Executive Officer, a role she has held since 2016.

This governance structure is transparent: anyone researching SARA can identify the member companies leading the association and see whether their own preferred provider is involved in its leadership.

SARA's activities and services to members

SARA's own program includes six areas: legal guidance and support for professionals in mobility, targeted training delivered to members and corporate HR departments, institutional dialogue with authorities and business partners, knowledge sharing through publications on relocation topics, industry representation in media, and international connections with comparable associations in neighboring countries.

The site notes that SARA negotiates "preferential conditions and discounts for members and their clients" covering books, insurance, banking services, and more.

What SARA does not do

SARA is not a relocation service. The site does not publish a list of properties available for rent in Zurich, does not offer to search for schools on your behalf, and does not arrange your work permit. Instead, it connects you to a member agency that does these things and meets SARA's professional standards.

SARA does not publish pricing or compare the fees of different member agencies. Each member sets its own rates.

SARA does not publish case studies or success stories from member relocations. The site contains no testimonials from families or companies that have used SARA members.

Who SARA serves

SARA serves anyone relocating to Switzerland, either an individual, a family, or a company moving one or multiple employees, who wants to find a relocation service provider that meets professional standards and is vetted for competence and ethical conduct.

SARA is less suited to someone seeking a specific relocation service (one vendor that will move your household goods, period) without the full consulting package. It is also not a candidate if you need pricing comparison across providers before deciding who to hire; SARA's website does not publish rates.

If you are unsure where to start when relocating a team to Switzerland or arriving yourself from abroad, SARA's member directory is a starting point that narrows the field to vetted professionals rather than searching the wider market.