Companion Service Switzerland — free intro visit, from CHF 55/h + 8.1% MwSt.
Companion Service Switzerland — free intro visit, from CHF 55/h + 8.1% MwSt.
Rundil Companions provides relationship-based, non-medical senior companionship across Switzerland — Zurich, Zug, and every canton. Fully employed, insured companions. The same person at every visit. Transparent flat-rate pricing. No long-term contract.
There is a meaningful and legally important distinction between medical home care and what Rundil Companions provides. Understanding it clearly matters for your family, and for the person receiving support.
| Rundil Companions is not | Rundil Companions is |
|---|---|
| A nursing provider or Spitex substitute | A consistent social presence and conversation |
| A medical or clinical service | Practical daily-living assistance and errands |
| A 24-hour live-in care agency | A structured routine that extends independence |
| A placement or matching platform | The same person, every visit, every week |
| An arrangement making your family the legal employer | A full employer model — Rundil carries all obligations |
Around one in three older adults in Switzerland reports feeling lonely — and isolation at home affects mood, memory and physical wellbeing as directly as any clinical condition. Medical visits keep a person treated. They do not keep a person connected. That gap is exactly what Rundil Companions exists to close, with the same trusted face arriving every week.
older adults in Switzerland feel lonely — a recognised risk to mental and physical health, not a personal failing.
every visit, every week. Continuity is the entire value — a relationship that deepens, not a rota of strangers.
at home for longer. Practical daily support and genuine company keep a parent in the home they know.
Already exploring Zurich specifically? See elderly companion support in Zurich, or read more about our social companionship service.
Rundil companions are present for the moments that count — a morning walk along Lake Zurich, a shared meal, a doctor's appointment, a conversation at the kitchen table. Every service below is included as standard.
Shared activities, reading, games and genuine conversation that builds over time — a real relationship, not a sequence of tasks.
Regular outings to parks, gardens, cafes and seasonal events — movement that is safe, sociable and part of a consistent weekly routine.
Groceries, pharmacy collection, post office — accompanied and supported, never alone with a task that has quietly become difficult.
Doctor, dentist, physiotherapy, bank and administrative visits, with a familiar face providing calm support before, during and after.
Simple, nutritious meals prepared together and shared at the table. A companion who sits down makes a profound difference.
Smartphones, tablets, video calls with family, email and online banking — staying connected independently, with patient guidance.
Forms, correspondence and bill organisation — support with the tasks that quietly accumulate and cause unnecessary strain.
Puzzles, memory games, reminiscence conversations and hobbies — purposeful engagement that maintains mental vitality and enjoyment.
On non-visit days, companions make a brief wellbeing call. Families receive an optional monthly summary — reassurance without needing to ask.
In Switzerland, paying someone to support a parent at home is treated as employment in law — there is no recognised self-employed companion. The moment a household pays more than CHF 750 in a year, AHV/IV and UVG accident-insurance duties begin, regardless of hours. Marketplaces and direct hire leave that burden with your family. Rundil removes it entirely, because Rundil is the employer.
Rundil does not operate a matching platform. Every companion is directly employed by Rundil, passes a structured multi-stage selection process, and is assigned based on language, personality and your parent's specific needs.
Every companion holds a current Sonderprivatauszug — Switzerland's enhanced criminal record extract — verified before their first assignment.
Professional references are contacted directly. We verify prior experience with older adults, not just employment history.
A structured interview assessing emotional intelligence, patience, reliability, language ability and cultural sensitivity.
Every companion is a Rundil employee — not a freelancer. Full AHV/BVG, UVG accident insurance and employer liability are carried by Rundil.
German, Swiss German, French, Italian and English-speaking companions across Switzerland — assigned as standard, not on special request.
Your parent meets both their primary companion and a designated backup in advance. Continuity is never disrupted by illness or absence.
No call-for-a-quote barriers and no obligation. The free 30-minute introductory visit is designed to resolve any hesitation before anything begins.
Tell us about your parent, the support you have in mind and the languages that matter. Book online or message us on WhatsApp.
A 30-minute visit, free and with no commitment. It is the gentlest way to meet a companion — many resistant parents say yes here.
Rundil assigns a vetted, employed companion based on personality, language and your parent's needs — never an anonymous match from a profile pool.
Visits settle into a dependable routine with a dedicated companion, plus a known substitute introduced in advance for continuity.
These are the circumstances that lead families to senior companionship in Switzerland every week — in Zurich, Zug and beyond.
"He'd stopped going out. We didn't know how to help him."
After retiring from a lifelong academic career, Heinrich had retreated from social life following the death of his wife. Weekly visits began simply — a morning walk along the lake, then coffee together. Within six weeks, Heinrich had asked his companion to accompany him to his first alumni event in four years.
"We needed someone we could trust with Mum when we couldn't be there."
Ursula lives alone in Zug, physically well but increasingly isolated, with her adult children based abroad. With Rundil Companions they receive a brief monthly summary and know the same companion visits Ursula twice each week — without exception. "I stopped worrying every Sunday evening."
"Two people, different needs. We didn't think one companion could work for both."
Walter enjoyed structured conversation and current affairs; Brigitte preferred gentle walks and company while cooking. The companion assigned adapted naturally and came to know both personalities. "She treats them as two individuals, not a unit."
"She refused all our suggestions for three years. Then she met her companion."
Elsbeth had always been fiercely independent. They booked the free introductory visit on the clear understanding that nothing would follow unless she wanted it. By the end of that first half-hour — over tea, talking about the garden — Elsbeth asked when the companion would come back. "She calls it her Tuesday visits."
"We looked at three other options before Rundil. All of them were platforms where legal responsibility ultimately landed with us. That alone made the decision. Rundil is the employer — everything flows from that."
"The pricing was the first thing that won me over. Everything published. No calls required. No vague estimates. The transparency made trust possible before we'd even spoken to anyone."
Experiences from families using Rundil Companions for a parent or relative at home — in their own words.
"Rundil's companion service has been wonderful for my mother in Zürich. Her companion visits every week for walks, conversation, and help with small errands. The visits have given her something to look forward to and have made a noticeable difference to her wellbeing."
"When my father moved into an assisted living apartment in Zug, we wanted someone to provide regular companionship. Rundil found a warm and reliable companion who spends time chatting with him, accompanying him to cafés, and helping him stay socially active."
"As an expat family, we worried about our elderly aunt feeling isolated in Zürich while we were abroad. The companion assigned by Rundil quickly became a trusted presence in her week. The communication with our family has also been excellent."
"Our mother still lives independently in Zug but was becoming increasingly lonely after losing her husband. Her Rundil companion visits twice a week for walks, shopping trips, and conversation. The positive impact on her mood has been remarkable."
"We were looking for companionship support rather than medical care for our father in Zürich. Rundil understood exactly what we needed. His companion is kind, punctual, and genuinely interested in spending quality time with him. We couldn't be happier with the service."
How regular companionship changed the week — and the wellbeing — of an 82-year-old living alone in Zürich.
After the passing of her husband, 82-year-old Margaret found herself spending most days alone in her Zürich apartment. Her children lived abroad and could only visit a few times each year. While she remained physically independent, the emotional impact of loneliness was becoming increasingly noticeable. Her daughter observed that Margaret was:
The family was not looking for medical or nursing support. What Margaret truly needed was regular companionship and meaningful social interaction.
Rundil arranged a dedicated companion to visit Margaret twice per week. The focus was not on tasks, but on connection. Visits included:
The same companion visited regularly, allowing a genuine relationship to develop over time.
After three months, Margaret's family noticed significant improvements.
Most importantly, she once again had something to look forward to each week.
"We weren't looking for care; we were looking for companionship. The difference has been remarkable. Mum now has someone she genuinely enjoys spending time with, and we've seen her become more like herself again. Knowing she has regular social contact gives our whole family tremendous peace of mind."
Loneliness can affect emotional wellbeing just as much as physical health. Regular companionship, meaningful conversation, and shared activities help older adults maintain confidence, independence, and a stronger sense of connection to the world around them. For many families, a companion service is the reassurance that a loved one is not facing each day alone.
No call-for-a-quote barriers. No variable rates by canton. No hidden charges. The same flat national rate applies in Zurich, Zug, Basel, Geneva and every Swiss canton. All prices exclude Swiss VAT (MwSt 8.1%).
| Service | Rate (excl. VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring — weekly or bi-weekly | CHF 55 / hr | Most cost-effective |
| Occasional / one-off visits | CHF 68 / hr | Flexible |
| Evenings & weekends — recurring | CHF 65 / hr | Unsocial hours |
| Evenings & weekends — occasional | CHF 78 / hr | Unsocial hours |
| Family bundle — Companions + Rundil Cleaning | 5% off both | Applied automatically |
| Introductory first visit | Free | 30 min · no commitment |
Families often ask whether Rundil Companions replaces Spitex. It does not, and is not meant to. Understanding the line keeps expectations clear and helps you choose the right support — sometimes both, side by side.
Medical home care — nursing, treatment and basic care, ordered by a doctor. Where prescribed, Swiss compulsory health insurance covers fixed hourly rates and caps the client's out-of-pocket contribution at roughly CHF 15.35 per day. Spitex keeps a person clinically supported.
Non-medical, relationship-based companionship and daily-living support — conversation, walks, errands, appointment accompaniment, meals and digital help. Private-pay at a published flat rate, because companionship is not a medical service and is not insurance-reimbursed. Rundil keeps a person connected and independent.
Rundil Companions never provides nursing, medication management or any therapeutic treatment. If a medical need arises, we say so plainly and point your family to Spitex. The two work well together: Spitex for the clinical hours, Rundil for the human ones.
The differences between senior support options in Switzerland are significant — legally, practically, and in daily experience.
| Feature | Rundil Companions | Spitex / medical | Assisted living | Matching platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent pricing | Flat hourly rate | Insurance-dependent | Packages vary | Negotiated |
| Non-medical focus | Social & daily only | Medical / nursing | Mixed | Varies |
| No employer liability | Never — Rundil employed | No | No | Family liable |
| Same person every visit | Guaranteed | Rotation typical | Partial | No guarantee |
| Criminal background check | Sonderprivatauszug | Yes | Yes | Family arranges |
| No long-term contract | Pause anytime | Notice periods | Required | Usually flexible |
| Independence at home | Core principle | Task visits | Relocation | Varies |
Answers to what families always ask about senior companionship in Switzerland.
Rundil Companions charges CHF 55/hr (excl. 8.1% VAT) for recurring weekly or bi-weekly visits, and CHF 68/hr for occasional or one-off bookings. Evening and weekend visits are CHF 65/hr recurring and CHF 78/hr occasional. A free 30-minute introductory visit is included, with a 2-hour minimum per visit and one flat national rate in every canton.
Spitex provides medically prescribed home nursing and treatment, much of which Swiss health insurance covers. Rundil Companions provides non-medical, social and daily-living support — conversation, walks, errands and accompaniment — which is private-pay and not insurance-reimbursed. The two are complementary: Spitex for clinical needs, Rundil for connection and independence.
Yes. Every companion holds a current Sonderprivatauszug (enhanced criminal record extract), passes structured reference checks and an in-depth interview, and is directly employed by Rundil. Rundil carries full UVG accident insurance, employer liability and all social-security contributions, so your family never takes on employer obligations.
Yes — a dedicated companion is guaranteed for each client, because continuity is the entire value of the service. When your primary companion is unavailable, a known substitute who has already been introduced steps in, so no visit is ever left uncovered.
Most families begin with the free 30-minute introductory visit, after which Rundil assigns a vetted companion based on personality, language and your parent's needs. We assign carefully rather than match from a profile pool, so the right fit comes first. Zurich and Zug are primary markets with English-first companions as standard.
Yes. There is no long-term contract — you can pause, reduce or stop hours whenever you need. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before a visit; cancellations inside 48 hours are charged the full session fee.
All companions speak English as a minimum, which suits Switzerland's international and expat families. German and Swiss German companions are available Switzerland-wide, with French and Italian speakers offered where needed. Language and cultural fit is built into every assignment.
No. Compulsory health insurance covers only medically prescribed care such as Spitex, not non-medical companionship, so Rundil Companions is private-pay. Many families view it as a quality-of-life investment; eligible clients may wish to check whether Ergänzungsleistungen (EL) provisions apply to their situation.
No. Rundil is the employer of every companion. You sign a service agreement with Rundil, not an employment contract, so your household carries zero AHV, BVG or UVG obligations and none of the risk that comes with hiring directly or through a marketplace.
Companionship and conversation, accompanied walks and outings, errands and shopping, appointment accompaniment, simple shared meals, and patient help with phones, tablets and video calls. Extended support includes paperwork assistance, hobbies and gentle cognitive activities. All of it is non-medical and built around a consistent weekly routine.
Yes — a 2-hour minimum applies to every visit, at all rates. There is no required long-term commitment beyond that, and the same flat national pricing applies whether you are in Zurich, Zug, Basel, Geneva or any other canton.
Continuity is never left to chance. A known substitute is introduced to your parent in advance, so if the primary companion is unavailable, a familiar face still arrives. Rundil handles all scheduling and cover — you don't have to manage the gap.
Switzerland-wide, in every canton, at one flat national rate. Zurich and Zug are the primary markets — including municipalities such as Küsnacht, Meilen, Baar and Cham — with Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Geneva, Lausanne and St. Gallen all served. Read more about companionship in Zug.
Rundil Companions launched in Zurich and Zug and serves every Swiss canton at the same flat national rate — no geographic surcharges, one quality standard throughout.
Seefeld, Wiedikon, Höngg, Albisrieden, Oerlikon and surrounding municipalities including Uster, Winterthur, Kloten, Küsnacht and Meilen. English-first companions for Zurich's large international community. See elderly companion Zurich.
Zug city, Baar, Cham, Steinhausen, Rotkreuz and surrounding lake-area municipalities — one of Switzerland's most affluent cantons with a significant international family population. See companionship in Zug.
Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen and every Swiss canton. The same flat hourly rate everywhere — no canton premiums, no regional variation.
The decision to bring consistent, professional support into a parent's life is rarely easy. But when the right person walks through the door and simply sits down together, something shifts. We are here to make that moment possible.
Email: info@rundil.com · Read the latest from our companions blog.