As mentioned in
my intro thread , we're moving to Zürich in a couple of months. We're trying to figure out what to do with the car.
I know the public transport is awesome, so the plan is to use it to go to/from work. However, what do you do with groceries and so on? I can't imagine going to the supermarket without a car, as we tend to do few big purchases instead of many small ones. What about going out on weekends? What do you usually do? What are the compelling reasons to have a car in Zürich?
I know I can import a car duty free as part of a relocation (we bought it new last august, so it isn't old and we've had it for more than 6 months). I also know I can drive with the spanish license plates for a year. However, can I do both?
My tentative plan is to enter Switzerland with the car and see whether we use it, or if it just stays in the garage. If, say, 6 months after entering we decide to keep the car, can we "import as part of a relocation" it then? Or is it just at the actual time of your relocation?
I would bring it as you can run it for 12 months on it's Spanish plates as long as it is legal in Spain, in the UK that would be taxed and M.o.T'd. Get it included in your move and on your customs form as part of your personal possessions. You can then present the papers when you cross the border into CH, or at the Zoll in Zurich (where I'd do it), and use the grace period to decide if you need it. Check www.autoscout.ch for car prices and you will see cars are expensive here so selling it before you come you may take a hit in Spain and end up paying more here for the same car.
PT is good here, especially if you live in a city, but if you move to a more rural permanent place then it may not be as convenient. Bring your car and make your choice as to whether you need it after you have settled in somewhere.
Good luck with your move
When I lived in Zurich, PT and my motorcycle were enough.
When I moved to Ticino, I HAD to get a car (even though I walk to work).
Tom
You can rent from mobility if you only need the car on the weekend. It is pretty inexpensive, and you don't have to rent a parking space.
http://www.mobility.ch
If you live in Zürich, you will probably not need a car.