Living As An Expat In Switzerland: All You Need To Know

Embarking on the journey of becoming an expat in Switzerland, the land of spectacular landscapes, unparalleled quality of life, and rich multilingual culture, is an adventure filled with excitement, anticipation, and a myriad of questions. Navigating through the complexities and novelty of a foreign land can be exhilarating, but also daunting. The goal of this guide is to give you a comprehensive understanding of what you can expect living as an expat in Switzerland. 

This guide is your map to expat life in Switzerland, addressing essential topics from housing and employment to social integration, healthcare, and local customs. You will gain insights into the nuances of Swiss culture, equipping yourself with the knowledge to blend in seamlessly and truly live the Swiss life. Buckle up for an enlightening exploration of all things Swiss from an expat’s perspective. Here’s what it’s really like living as an expat in Switzerland…

What’s Really It Like To Live In Switzerland?

How does the reality of residing in Switzerland as an expat unfold? Choosing Switzerland as your new home can indeed be a remarkable decision. This country, nestled in the heart of Europe, boasts a superior standard of living and an abundance of opportunities to explore its majestic mountains, serene lakes, and charming towns and villages. Its advantageous geographical location allows easy access to neighbouring nations like Germany, Italy, and France, making regional travel a breeze.

Switzerland is well-known for promoting a healthy work-life balance, where professionals are afforded considerable respect and flexibility to manage their other responsibilities. Moreover, the country’s robust healthcare and education systems provide an array of top-tier schools and prompt medical care. With a reliable public transport system and well-designed infrastructure, living in Switzerland is a breeze.

However, every rose has its thorns. The high cost of living in Switzerland is a notable challenge. Expats often find themselves shelling out significantly more for housing, education, healthcare, and everyday essentials than they would in their home countries. On the cultural front, some expats find Swiss culture, often characterised by restraint, politeness, and tradition, a tad difficult to integrate into. This occasionally results in expats feeling isolated, as though living in their own exclusive bubble.

Is Life In Switzerland Affordable?

Is the Swiss expatriate lifestyle within your financial reach? Known as one of the priciest countries globally, Switzerland’s living costs significantly exceed the European average. Prospective expats must brace themselves for these high expenses before making the move. However, the silver lining here is the high wages and superior living standards that somewhat counterbalance the steep costs. This economic equilibrium is reflected in the fact that 40 of the world’s 2,755 wealthiest individuals are Swiss billionaires.

Housing Costs

When it comes to housing, it is one of the heftiest expenses for expats. In Switzerland, home ownership is not common; thus, you’ll likely be renting. Prepare to allocate at least 20% of your monthly salary for rent, which roughly amounts to CHF 2,500–6,000/month in a city like Zurich. This could feel familiar if you’re relocating from major cities like London or New York. Utility bills could add another CHF 250/month, although some landlords may include this in the rent.

Daily Expenses

Everyday expenses in Switzerland also surpass those in many other countries. A monthly public transport pass may cost around CHF 75, while groceries could set you back between CHF 100–300/month. Mandatory health insurance should also be factored into your budget at around CHF 450/month. Dining out, too, can take a chunk out of your wallet. For instance, a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant with wine might be around CHF 100. However, set menus, typically priced between CHF 35–55, could offer a more economical option.

To mitigate the high cost of living, many expats have developed savvy saving strategies. For example, grocery shopping often happens post 17:00 when stores reduce their prices. Others prefer to cross the border for their daily shopping in France or Germany or frequent discount chains like Aldi. Big-ticket items like furniture and electronics are often purchased during sales.

Tax

The tax system in Switzerland also demands attention. In addition to federal income tax, VAT, and stamp duty, there is also canton tax, which covers income, property, and inheritance tax. Some municipalities even levy taxes like pet tax and vehicle tax. However, Switzerland offers a wide array of allowances to decrease your tax burden. For instance, families can claim deductions of up to CHF 6,500 for each dependent child. If you’re moving to Switzerland from the US, or any country that applies its tax laws to citizens overseas, you’ll need to declare your annual worldwide income to your home nation. In light of these dual tax filing obligations, professional advice can be invaluable.

Love In Switzerland?

Dating is hard anywhere, but if you are not familiar with local customs, it can be even more difficult in Switzerland. The Swiss are not particularly known for being romantic and as a culture certainly do not indulge in public displays of affection. But, they do take love seriously. Because it is a reserved society, the Swiss like to take their time to get to know you. It is easier for expats in Switzerland to meet people and date in bigger cities like Zurich and Geneva. Happily, the Swiss are very open to dating foreigners – 36% of the country’s marriages in 2019 were between a local citizen and an expat! 

Independence is a big part of Swiss culture and that applies to dating too. Giving your significant other plenty of personal space and privacy will help you create a strong relationship. But first you have to find your partner. The reserved nature of the Swiss means they will likely wait an age before asking anyone out on a date. Though Swiss men are generally expected to make the first approach, they are reported to move at a glacial pace. Other dating tips include dressing smart and not spilling your guts on the first date. The Swiss appreciate discretion.

Although the rest of the world has embraced online dating, Switzerland is still behind the curve. Dating apps and sites are increasingly popular in big Swiss cities, but they are still not taken very seriously by Swiss locals.

Love. And marriage?

Getting serious with your Swiss partner? You might expect to move in with them and even have children, but marriage might not be on the cards. This is because the Swiss are growing ever more hesitant to marry and are divorcing in increasing numbers. In fact, in 2019, there was a 6% decrease in marriages from the previous year. The number of divorces increased by 0.4% in the same year. While Switzerland has made major strides in securing LGBTQ+ rights, and same-sex marriage was legalised in Switzerland in 2022. 

What’s It Like To Work In Switzerland?

At work, the Swiss are all-business. They tend to be friendly but reserved and value polite plain speaking and punctuality. Additionally, formality is deeply ingrained in Swiss business culture, as is hierarchy. You should expect to use surnames and titles when addressing colleagues and should avoid off-colour jokes and divulging personal information. 

If you’re moving to Switzerland for a better work-life balance then you are in luck. Expats in Switzerland say they have a better quality of life. Locals tend to go home to eat lunch with family, and evenings and weekends are strictly for family and friends. This attitude is bolstered by strict office hours (typically 8:00-17:00 with a maximum of 45 hours a week) and a good amount of time off. In fact, Swiss workers are legally entitled to take at least four weeks of paid vacation time, along with public holidays. Employees also have a high level of protection in Switzerland, which means discrimination and ill-treatment are not common and employers tend to be very flexible and accommodating. 

Still, the competition for a job is fierce and opportunities are limited for non-EU expats. However, there are job quotas for well-qualified foreigners and English speakers. Good news for Americans wanting to move to Switzerland: if you have a background in engineering, finance, IT, and medicine, you will find it easier to find a job in Switzerland. In addition, speaking the official languages in your canton of residence will give you an edge in landing a job there.

If you have Swiss residency, you might also be able to set up your own business. 

Is Housing In Switzerland Affordable?

In 2020, only 36% of people in Switzerland owned the home they lived in. By contrast, 65.4% of Americans own their homes. Property prices are high. Purchasing a property is complicated for expats in Switzerland. So, most choose to rent a property. 

As you would expect in one of the world’s most expensive countries, housing is not cheap in Switzerland. Swiss house prices continue to rise, reporting a 4.4% increase in December 2020. The average cost to buy an apartment in Switzerland is around CHF 665,000. The average purchase price for a house is CHF 1,030,000. Of course, prices vary greatly between each canton. Geneva is the most expensive, though prices in Zurich and Basel are also very high. The canton of Jura, however, is the cheapest for housing. 

Buying A House

For expats in Switzerland, buying a house can be complicated. You have to have a B or C residence permit before you can even consider getting on the property ladder. If you have the right permit, and the right cash, it’s all systems go. An agent is your best bet at finding your home.

It can be difficult for foreigners to get a mortgage because of Switzerland’s strict lending rules. You will need to put down a deposit of 20%, at least 10% of which needs to be in cold, hard cash. 

What’s It Like Being A Woman In Switzerland?

Despite generally being quite progressive, Switzerland has a way to go when it comes to women’s rights. It was the last country in Europe to give women the right to vote – in 1970. In 1985 Switzerland abolished the legal authority of husbands over wives. Since then, women are able to get a job or open a bank account in their own right. In fact, Switzerland only decriminalised domestic violence in the 1990s. And, women still earn 19% less than men, although gender-based pay discrimination became illegal under the 2020 Swiss Federal Gender Equality Act. 

The women’s rights movement is quickly gaining ground, though. In the 2019 election, women won over 40% of seats in the Swiss Parliament. And, Switzerland now works to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage. When it comes to women in the workplace, the country also offers numerous employment protections for women, including maternity leave. Additionally, Swiss law requires local healthcare schemes to cover gynaecological visits and prenatal care. Since 2002, women can also get an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Is Switzerland Good For Raising Children?

With such a great quality of life, Switzerland is also a good place to raise kids. There are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces for you to explore and a wealth of child-friendly facilities all over the country. The country is also very safe. This means children are often raised to be independent from a young age and then given free rein to move about on their own. In fact, most Swiss kids go to and from school on their own or with friends. 

In addition, expats in Switzerland have access to some of the best education in the world. The Swiss educational system includes private, public and international schools, as well as boarding schools. Children in Switzerland are required to attend school until the age of 15. After this point, they can continue their education at upper secondary or vocational schools, and then go on to some of the best universities in the world. 

The Swiss school system also offers plenty of holidays for kids. The main break is a holiday of four to eight weeks during the summer. But, kids also get time off for Christmas as well as spring and autumn break. Many Swiss schools also give kids a day off for cantonal public holidays. 

Extra Costs For Expat Kids

When it comes to healthcare, expats in Switzerland have to get special insurance for their kids. This is because family health insurance policies in the country do not cover children. But, basic health insurance will generally cover paediatric services, vaccinations, and basic medical treatments. Although vaccinations are not compulsory in Switzerland, most kids living there receive vaccinations for whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and measles. 

However, expats in Switzerland should know that childcare is very expensive. Full-time childcare can take up as much as two-thirds of the average Swiss salary. Though, of course, there are many tax breaks available. Créches are available for children as young as newborns, and after the age of four, most kids attend nursery school. Many Swiss also use canton-run centres, foster families, or even au pairs and babysitters. 

What’s The Healthcare Situation In Switzerland?

Switzerland has a world-class universal healthcare system. This is partly because the country spends big on healthcare – more than CHF 8,785 per resident. But, unlike many other countries, it is not financed through taxes. Instead, all Swiss residents contribute to canton-run Swiss health insurance schemes. Many also take out private health insurance. With this, all residents can access healthcare, and the insurance covers around 80%–90% of costs.

Basic Swiss health insurance offers a wide range of benefits. As such, policies usually cover outpatient treatment, emergency care, prescribed medicines, and vaccinations. In addition, policyholders can access prenatal care, gynaecology check-ups, and rehabilitation. You can also use your health insurance to access mental health care and alternative therapies such as homoeopathy and Chinese medicine. 

What Are The Downsides Of Living In Switzerland?

Switzerland certainly offers a very high quality of life. But, expats living in Switzerland also find that there are some downsides. The incredibly high cost of living is one, though it is somewhat alleviated by higher salaries. Generally, expats find they pay far more for housing, childcare, and day-to-day expenses than they do back home. In addition, the reserved, formal culture – at work and in personal relations – can be difficult to get used to. Because of this, many expats say that it can be difficult to integrate and make friends in Switzerland. 

The traditional, patriarchal society can also mean that Switzerland is not quite as progressive as your home country. For example, while women are afforded many rights, there is still work to be done to achieve gender equality. The country also lags behind most of western Europe when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights.

The Best Parts Of Living In Switzerland

Despite some challenges, most expats agree that Switzerland offers a far higher quality of life than their home countries. In fact, in 2021, the OECD Better Life Index ranked Switzerland far higher than other OECD countries. Switzerland came out on top in well-being, income, healthcare, social and environmental quality, education, housing, and more. 

Expats in Switzerland enjoy high-quality education and healthcare, a great work-life balance, and great housing. All while taking in the beauty of some stunning natural landscapes. Best of all, you’re gaining all of this in one of the safest countries in the world, as Swiss residents enjoy a high degree of personal security.

In addition, Swiss cuisine is highly enticing, and the country boasts well-developed public transport. With four official languages and a reasonably high rate of immigration, the country also has a high level of diversity. It is, in fact, a recipe for a great experience for expats.