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The Expat Guide: Moving to Switzerland

Moving to Switzerland? Congratulations! Now let's take care of the dirty work. Check out The Local's guide to expat life in Switzerland, every step of the way.

Published: 8 July 2015 08:16 CEST
Updated: 15 July 2015 05:16 CEST
The Expat Guide: Moving to Switzerland
Photo: Francisco Antunes/Flickr

Switzerland is one of the top countries for expats – it’s no surprise so many people choose to transplant to the land of cheese, chocolate, and world-class skiing. But any move comes with its challenges, and even Cloud 9 requires a bit of an altitude (and attitude) adjustment.

Are you prepared for culture shock? What about price tag panic? Are you armed with insurance? Do you have a residence permit in hand, and fluent French (or German) dripping off the tongue?

Maybe, maybe not. But whether you’re an expat veteran or a nervous newbie, Swiss connoisseur or curious newcomer, there are many ways to make the transition smoother. The Local tracked down the experts to ask all the right questions. And here it is – The Local’s Guide to Moving to Switzerland.

Voila, Hab Spaß!

Migration and Relocation

The four big challenges of moving to Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the world’s best expat countries, with some of the highest living standards and a sophisticated, multilingual population. Yet moving to Switzerland can still be stressful and difficult – the key is to do your research and get the right help.

Swissbenefits: “I build bridges for expats”


Switzerland was recently voted the best place in the world for expats, but lots of paperwork and complex procedures can keep expats on their toes. The Local spoke with SwissBenefits, a consulting company aiming to streamline the process.

Language

Learning your new country's language can be tough, especially as an adult. But there are ways of making it easier. The Local spoke to the Swiss French School about how to simplify learning, and a special offer for readers.

Money and Taxes

Currency exchange for expats

Moving abroad is complicated enough – money matters shouldn’t make it even more so. But transfers and sending money back home can cause problems. CurrencyFair explains how they make the transition easier for expats.

Expert US tax preparation for Americans in Switzerland

If you dread filing your US expat taxes each year, you aren’t alone. But Greenback Expat Tax Services can prepare your taxes efficiently, accurately and at a fair, honest price.

Insurance

What to look for in Swiss insurance

Location and Housing

 
Housing in Switzerland is among the most expensive in the world and competition is fierce for affordable properties. It’s all very well if money isn’t an issue, but what if it is? The Local's Emily Rose Mawson investigates.
 
 
Nestled high up in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana offers stunning panoramas of sky-high mountains and serene lakes. But it's more than a resort – it's home to the next generation of expats in Switzerland.
 
Education 
 
 
Finding a job
 
 
Every country has a slightly different approach to the perfect resume. Rebekka Affolter, who writes the blog for leading Swiss recruitment website swissjobs.ch, tells The Local how to polish up your CV and stand out from the hordes of other jobseekers in Switzerland.
 
 
Congratulations, you’ve just landed yourself a job in Switzerland. Now for the hard part: learning a new business etiquette. To help you find your feet quickly, we've asked Swiss business image consultant Monika Seeger for some tips.
 
Social skills
 
If you value the same things the Swiss do, you have a better chance of building positive relationships with them, says Zurich-based communications trainer Shane Norton. But what if you don’t? Norton’s advice is to learn to — and if that fails, at least show some willingness to appreciate them. Here are his top tips on how to do that.
 
 
Moving to Switzerland for the first time can be a daunting experience – especially if you’re single. With the help of a Geneva-based psychologist and writer, The Local has come up with ten tips for finding love Swiss-style.
 
Transportation
 
 
Shopping around for the right car at the right price, sorting out registration and insurance. Buying a new car is complicated, particularly if you're an expat. Now you can let someone else take the strain.
 
 

JOBS

What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

Looking for a new job in Switzerland? We've put together some tips on where to search for that new role.

Published: 8 March 2024 15:58 CET
What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

The good news is that, as a country that serves as a world centre of finance, pharmaceuticals, and research, Switzerland offers an environment very friendly to English speakers. Unlike some European countries, hiring is a flexible and open process. 

That said, some hints will help you in your Swiss job search. 

Know where to look 

Before beginning your job search, knowing where most of your industry’s jobs are is essential. 

As The Local Switzerland has previously discussed, Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital, whereas most pharmaceutical players are based in Basel. 

The life sciences are concentrated in ‘Health Valley’, stretching from Geneva to Montreaux. 

Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, and St Gallen also have large universities that employ many researchers from abroad. 

Knowing where jobs are based will allow you to concentrate your search, and give you the time to more fully research and understand the needs of particular companies.

READ MORE: Where are the jobs in Switzerland for English speakers?

Develop your Xing as well as your LinkedIn profile

Most job seekers within professional working environments will have a LinkedIn profile to share with prospective employers. 

Xing is also a significant player in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it’s normal for German-speaking professionals to have an accompanying profile on that platform. 

Developing your presence on Xing can demonstrate that you are gaining a greater understanding of the Swiss working environment and establishing yourself as a long-term investment. 

READ MORE: Can you find a job in Zurich if you don’t speak German?

Use specialised job boards 

While many of the big job boards operate in Switzerland—Indeed and Monster, for example—several job boards focus on Swiss jobs specifically or service a key segment of the job market. 

Jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and Jobscout24 are popular sites within Switzerland and are often the first port of call for job seekers. Each has an English version and a user-friendly interface.

Several specialist job boards exist for specialised roles, such as those in the IT or medical research sectors.

Using a profession-based job board allows employers to draw from a more concentrated talent pool while offering job seekers a more significant opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills. 

SwissDevJobs.ch is a popular destination for IT professionals, whereas Praxisstellen.ch specialises in pharmaceutical and medical research jobs. SwissTopJobs.ch is an excellent place to look for C-suite jobs in the finance and banking sectors. 

Networking is essential 

While there is often a perception that job hunting in Switzerland is very process-oriented, you may be surprised to learn that many positions are filled via word of mouth. 

Suppose you have friends or former colleagues already found a position within a Swiss firm. In that case, asking what positions are opening and whether you could apply is not unreasonable or rude. 

Word of mouth and hiring through connections are common in the Swiss IT field, but they are also common within several other industries, particularly among startups. 

Read More: Where are Switzerland’s biggest international companies?

Use your initiative 

You may also be surprised to hear that simply applying to a firm with your resume isn’t looked down upon in Switzerland (or the German-speaking world). 

This is known as an Initiativbewerbung (or simply ‘application on the initiative’), and employers often regard it very favourably.

To make an Initiativbewerbung, you’ll need your Anschreiben or lettre de motivation (cover letter), Lebenslauf or resume (curriculum vitae or CV), testimonials from other employers, and copies of any relevant certificates or qualifications. 

When naming these files, remember to use the German terms—it will help when they are searched for later!

It’s worth taking the time to identify and address your application directly to the head or manager of the particular department you’re looking to work within. This will create a stronger impression, and there’s less chance of losing it in the daily flow of emails and information. 

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