Moving to Ticino with Your Family: What You Really Need to Know

Relocating abroad is never a small decision—especially when you're moving with your family. It’s not just about changing your address or optimizing your tax position. It’s about choosing a safe, stable, and enriching environment where your children can grow, where your partner can build a life, and where your entire family can thrive in a new rhythm, without sacrificing the familiar comforts of home.

At Knotted, we’ve helped dozens of families relocate successfully to Ticino, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. These families come from all over—Italy, the rest of Europe, and even further afield—united by one desire: to provide a better, more balanced life for themselves and their children.

In this guide, we share what truly matters: not just logistics, but the deeper human questions behind a family relocation. What kind of life will you build in Lugano or elsewhere in Ticino? What does day-to-day family life look like? How will your children adapt? What challenges are worth preparing for? And how can a partner like Knotted make the transition not only easier—but joyful?

Why Families Are Choosing Ticino

Ticino offers something rare: the efficiency, infrastructure, and stability of Switzerland combined with the charm, climate, and cultural familiarity of a Mediterranean lifestyle. It’s a place where modern systems meet timeless values—where multilingual children bike to school safely, where bureaucracy is minimal and transparent, and where family is still at the heart of everyday life.

For many Italian families, relocating to Ticino feels like a natural extension of their culture—only with better services, more safety, and clearer rules. For international families, the experience of Switzerland can be intimidating in its German- or French-speaking regions. Ticino provides a smoother cultural landing, with Italian as the primary language, a welcoming international community, and a pace of life that still allows you to breathe.

Is Ticino a Good Place to Raise Children?

Yes—without hesitation. Education in Ticino is both excellent and accessible. Public spaces are clean, well-maintained, and safe. Healthcare is among the best in Europe. And importantly, there is a true sense of community. From sports academies in Lugano to music schools in smaller towns, from Alpine hikes to family-friendly cultural events, your children will grow up surrounded by opportunities for physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

Children in Ticino typically grow up multilingual, multicultural, and well-prepared for the demands of a global future. And while they benefit from the freedom and safety that Swiss childhood is known for, they also stay close to Mediterranean values of connection, warmth, and identity.

Understanding the School System in Ticino

Switzerland offers a variety of educational paths, and Ticino reflects this diversity with both public and private options. Every family has unique priorities, and we help you navigate those choices with clarity and confidence.

• Public schools in Ticino are free, high-quality, and offer a strong academic foundation in Italian.

• International schools such as TASIS (The American School in Switzerland) in Montagnola provide globally recognized programs (IB, AP, US curriculum) and English-language instruction.

• Montessori and bilingual schools offer alternative education paths for younger children or those transitioning from different systems.

We support every step of the journey—from understanding your options to scheduling visits and managing enrollment—so your children can transition smoothly and start learning in an environment that suits them best.

How Does Healthcare Work in Switzerland?

Healthcare in Ticino is modern, efficient, and accessible—but it operates differently from many other countries. Every resident is required by law to have private health insurance, which ensures access to both general practitioners and specialists, as well as hospitals and emergency services.

For families, this means high-quality pediatric care, strong preventative health services, and peace of mind. Knotted helps you navigate the insurance market, compare policies, and find the right plan for your family’s size, needs, and budget.

Can My Partner Work Too?

In most cases, yes. If one family member is granted a residence permit, the spouse or partner is typically also entitled to work. Whether your partner is employed, self-employed, or planning to launch a business in Ticino, we help you structure your permit strategy accordingly—ensuring that your family can live not just together, but independently and productively.

What Knotted Can Do for Your Family

Relocating with a family isn’t a transaction—it’s a full life transition. At Knotted, we offer holistic, personalized support for every phase of your move:

• Residence permits, including family reunification, entrepreneur and self-employed visas, and special cases tied to international wealth or company structures.

• School placement: from identifying the right school to helping with applications, entrance exams, and personalized support for children with special needs or non-standard profiles.

• Housing search: rentals or purchases, in Lugano or quieter towns, tailored to your timeline, lifestyle, and budget.

• Insurance and healthcare: including dental, vision, maternity, and comprehensive family plans.

• Daily logistics: from mobile phone contracts and bank accounts to commune registration and language classes.

• Social integration: whether it’s a football club for your child, a yoga studio for your partner, or a professional networking group for yourself, we make sure you don’t just move—but belong.

What If You Have Teenagers or Complex Cases?

Families with teenagers or children with special educational or medical needs face additional questions—and we’re prepared for them.

We’ve helped:

• Place students in high schools offering IB, A-Levels, or American diplomas

• Enroll young athletes in sports academies or performers in arts programs

• Coordinate with specialists for learning differences, therapy, or medical conditions

• Manage transitions during the school year or between school systems

• Plan the path toward university access, whether in Switzerland or abroad

No two families are alike, and every relocation strategy is tailored to your unique goals and challenges.

Why Families Trust Knotted

Because we understand what’s at stake.

When you move your family, you’re not just moving logistics or assets—you’re relocating birthdays, bedtime routines, friendships, school drop-offs, family traditions, and your own sense of identity.

Knotted combines professional expertise with human sensitivity. We take care of the complex parts, so you can focus on what really matters: your family’s well-being and your shared future.

Let’s Talk About Your Family’s Move

If you’re even considering a move to Ticino, now is the time to begin the conversation. Whether you’re at the exploration stage or ready to pack your bags, we’re here to support you with discretion, clarity, and empathy—from your first doubts to your first Sunday lunch in your new home.

📩 info@knotted.ch

📱 WhatsApp +41 76 771 30 22

Let’s make this move the best decision your family ever made.