35 Being an expat in Switzerland: 10 things you need to know The other two main airports travelers can use are: Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located in France but is still used to service Switzerland. } In particular, we look at the most expensive cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern. So you can make a home from home in Switzerland if you have the money and the determination to do so. 8. Reasons Why You Should Hire A Moving Company, Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Switzerland. Switzerland has also lagged behind in securing LGBT+ rights, ranking 23rd on the latestILGA-Europe ratingof 49 European countries. In fact in many Scandinavian countries or other high tax countries like Belgium or France individuals will often have effective tax rates which are over 70% of their gross income when you factor in things like income tax, social contributions and VAT. While international students will typically pay around double to attend these same universities the fees are still considerably lower than what they would be expected to pay in other countries like the United States, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom. For example, while women are afforded many rights, there is still work to be done to achieve gender equality. Of course, the Alps are always top of mind for Swiss scenery and mountains do cover two-thirds of the country. In addition, the reserved, formal culture at work and in personal relations can be difficult to get used to. You should expect to use surnames and titles when addressing colleagues and should avoid off-color jokes and divulging personal information. In short, living in Switzerland is great for connecting with people from other cultures. How random is that? Swiss people are very polite and also reserved. You may think the Swiss are known for punctuality just because of their watches, but the expectation to be on time runs deeper than that. In fact, the most popular Swiss cities for expats, Zurich and Geneva, are among the most expensive cities in the world. On a scale from zero to 10, citizens graded living in Switzerland at 7.5. And while there were "hot spots" in many countries, it . If you are not a pet lover, Switzerland may be uncomfortable at times. Punctuality pervades every aspect of life in Switzerland. Dating apps and sites are increasingly popular in big Swiss cities, but they are still not taken very seriously by Swiss locals. Britons especially love the country for being so close to their homeland. How much money you need to live comfortably in Switzerland. Do You Know Switzerland? - ProProfs Quiz The country is mostly known for its ski stations, its chalets, and also its very rich entrepreneurs. This is because most Swiss people stick to their established circle of close friends. If thats not enough to convince you, Switzerland also nabbed the number four spot on the 2021 US News Best Countries list. Sion is a French-speaking city that is surrounded by snowy peaks. Geneva is home to the United Nations (UN), Red Cross, and Worlds World Health Organisation (WHO). But, expats living in Switzerland also find that there are some downsides. Each region in Switzerland has its own specialities. The canton of Jura, however, is the cheapest for housing. It is a geographically stunning nation with amazing mountains and beautiful lakes, pretty villages and highly polished cities. Our team is ready to make your international relocation a less stressful experience. Most importantly, Switzerland has committed to safeguarding its natural environment and fighting climate change. The country offers a great quality of life with many opportunities to explore the incrediblemountains, lakes, towns, and villages. Expensiveness of Switzerland actually has an advantage. By contrast, 65.4% of Americans own their homes. Use this guide to explore the highs and lows that you may encounter. The highest tax rates in Switzerland are far lower than the highest tax rates in ma,y other countries, despite the fact that you have to pay tax to the Canton in which you live as well as the City and the Federal Government. You need to go through two steps to move there. Since 2002, women can also get an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Safety. Despite generally being quite progressive, Switzerland has a way to go when it comes to womens rights. Additionally, formality is deeply ingrained in theSwiss business culture, as is hierarchy. You can survive with English in Geneva. 3. Likewise, if you meet one person for a drink, you should also maintain direct eye contact during a toast or cheers. Basic Swiss health insurance offers a wide range of benefits. Police 170190 For example, in the workplace, you should use last names and the formal Sie/Vous/Lei until specifically invited by your colleagues or business partners to use their first names. And a rainbow.

Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Moving Internationally We now live together in a flat next to the Limmat. 3,9406,440. The Swiss are not particularly romantic and certainly do not indulge in public displays of affection. You should either shake someones hand or kiss to the side of the cheek. 9. This means that out of the 365 days of the year you will typically only have about 250 working days which will provide you with plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy all that Switzerland has to offer. The average cost of living is high in Switzerland. Employees enjoy plenty of flexibility and respect to attend to their other responsibilities. So, consider getting professional advice with these dual tax filing obligations. "@context": "https://schema.org", Additionally, utilities might cost up to CHF 250/month. Switzerlands strategic location in the heart of Europe gives it a number of benefits for living there. 69 So if you're on a tight budget, you might want to consider the latter over the former. My name is Maurits and together with my wife Minella we have lived in eighteen countries. Dr. So lets get started with the 10 things you need to know about being an expat in Switzerland. St. Josephs Day Nine percent of Switzerlands households have disposable income below 50% of the national median. Another bill that might leave a bitter taste in your mouth is groceries. Living in Switzerland: looking at the pros and cons | Expatica Sanelo can ship your belongings to Switzerland. You might find it boring 3. I have made an entire video on which cities in Switzerland might be the best for you depending on what type of industry you work in which you can check out on our youtube channel. Check them out, then start the quiz and we'll tell you where you should live! Plus the country is very, very expensive. "@type": "Question", In towns it is 80 km/h. Having a supportive environment will also help you navigate through Switzerlands expat life. "@type": "FAQPage", Work life balance for working moms is particularly good, with Switzerland having the highest rate of part time working women amongst developed nations. } Learn the language So, is it a good place to live? 40 days after Easter. The answer and even the bin color can be different from one neighborhood to the next, so we'll try to help curb the confusion. In Switzerland, cantons have a lot of power over their own individual laws, making each canton slightly different from the others and requiring expats to need to check the specific rules and regulations of wherever they are living. A pass for public transport may cost around CHF 75/month, and groceries could cost between CHF 100300/month. Experts credit the precisely planned Swiss train schedules with the fact that travelers make 98% of their train connections. Eurostat data shows that Switzerland has the most expensive food and non-alcoholic beverages among the 37 countries measured. Telephone: +41 31 359 77 00 If you move to Switzerland you wont need to worry about things like bureaucracy as much as you would in other countries in Europe or get yourself caught up in a sticky situation due to corruption as these issues are not really prevalent in Switzerland. 9. While Switzerland has made major strides in securing LGBTQ+ rights, Swiss voters will decide in 2021 whether to legalize same-sex marriage. For more tips about overseas relocation, please check out the following articles: { I have made an entire video on salaries in Switzerland which you can watch below. Where should I live quiz: Find out what your perfect destination is We have teams that will help you to ensure your relocation is seamless by delivering your belongings to Swiss. What City in Switzerland Should You Visit? - Playbuzz Switzerland also has affordablepublic transportand well-planned infrastructure. If you are moving to Switzerland from the US, or any country that applies its tax laws to citizens overseas, you will also need to declare your annual worldwide income to your home nation. The local government also provides a language class to help your children communicate in the local official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh). Youll have many new experiences living in Switzerland but they wont all be as sweet as Swiss chocolate. The Kleine Titlis cable car peaks at 3028m at Kleine Titlis. Living in Switzerland - admin.ch In general you wont need to worry much about crime when living in Switzerland with Switzerland normally being listed as one of the top 10 safest countries in the world according to various safety ranking lists. Contact us or comment below with your question and well do our best to help. There is no doubt that Switzerland is a beautiful country. Here are some reasons why engaging Sanelo is a must: Switzerland is a country that offers many benefits to its residents and expats. To get an idea of how safe Switzerland is compared to its neighbors check out the table below which compares Swiss crime rates with those found in neighboring France and Germany. Like everything else in Switzerland, public transportation in Switzerland is highly efficient and organized. All rights reserved. Facebook Comments. Swiss residents have more household debt than the OECD average and the trend is getting worse. Best places to live in Switzerland - Bournes Moves You can visit beautiful places around the country, join a tour or an event, and ski in the winter.