Cross-border commuters and expats: storage space in the border tripoint

Hardly any Swiss city is as international as Basel: pharma, life sciences and logistics attract skilled professionals from all over the world, with tens of thousands commuting daily across the border from Alsace and South Baden. Anyone living with such mobility knows the problem – household belongings move slower than life plans. A fixed-term employment contract, a furnished flat, an overseas assignment: you quickly end up with boxes that fit nowhere. On top of that, living space in Basel is scarce and expensive – if you go away for six months, you don't want to pay rent for empty rooms.

This is precisely where self storage in Basel comes in: flexible storage space that adapts to your life, not the other way round.

Typical situations in international daily life

• Arriving: You are making a fresh start in Basel and initially living in furnished accommodation. Your belongings from home are stored safely until you find your permanent flat.
• End of project: Your assignment in Basel is coming to an end, and the next step is still open. Instead of selling everything or paying for expensive shipping, your household goods stay in your box.
• Home leave or posting abroad: If you are spending months abroad, give up your expensive flat and store your household items space-efficiently.
• Cross-border commuter logistics: Sports equipment, tools or seasonal items are stored where you work – ready at hand after work without playing car-boot Tetris across the border.

Flexibility is the decisive advantage

International career paths require short notice periods. With Squarefoot self storage, the minimum rental period is just 30 days, after which the box can be cancelled monthly. If your project is extended, simply extend your rental – if it ends sooner, cancel for the following month. Switching to a larger or smaller box is also possible at any time if your plans change. Prices are per month and excl. 8,1 % VAT; a one-off registration fee of 40 CHF applies. Currently, new customers get their first month for 1 CHF with a minimum commitment of two months. The overview of self storage costs shows what the right box costs.

From a suitcase to a full household

The boxes range in size from 1 to 40 m³. For guidance:

• 1 to 3 m³: Suitcases, seasonal clothes, skis, a few boxes of personal belongings – ideal for cross-border commuters and weekly residents.
• 5 to 10 m³: The contents of a studio or a 2-room flat while looking for a home.
• 15 to 40 m³: A complete family household during a posting or extended stay abroad.

You can book your box entirely online – even before arriving in Switzerland if you wish. That way, your storage space is ready when the shipping container arrives.

Practical tips before storing

To ensure your household items withstand longer storage periods well, a bit of preparation pays off: clean and dry all furniture and appliances, defrost fridges and leave their doors slightly open. Clothes and textiles travel best in breathable boxes rather than plastic bags. Also create an inventory list with photos – for international moves, this is worth its weight in gold for insurance and customs. And do not store documents you might need abroad in your box; leave them with a trusted person instead: diplomas, contracts and vaccination records are tedious to replace if stored 8000 kilometres away.

Access whenever your schedule allows

When travelling between three countries, you don't have time for opening hours. With your personal PIN code, you can enter your box at many locations 24/7, from 00 to 24 – before the early shift, after a late flight or on Sundays. Squarefoot operates two locations in Basel, both easily accessible for city and border traffic.

Conclusion: your anchor point in the border triangle

When your home, job and plans are on the move, a fixed anchor point is reassuring. A storage unit in Basel gives your belongings a temporary home – as flexible as your life in the border triangle. Book your box online in just a few minutes with no paperwork – and if you ever move on, cancelling is just as fast as booking.