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Here’s where people live the longest in Germany

Regional differences in life expectancy have decreased across Germany over the past 20 years, but certain locals can still expect to several years longer than others.

Published: 21 October 2016 11:25 CEST
Here’s where people live the longest in Germany
Photo: DPA

German babies born in the southern states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are expected to live longer than those born in more central and northern states, new figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday showed.

Babies born in Baden-Württemberg were predicted to live the longest at 79 years and six months for boys, and 83 years and 11 months for girls, for the period between 2013 and 2015. The southwestern state also claimed the highest average life expectancy 20 years ago.

Bavaria was a close second at nearly 79 years for boys and 83 years and six months for girls.

Both states were higher than the national average of 78 years and two months for boys and 83 years and one month for girls.

The calculations were based on “how long newborns would live given the current survival conditions,” Destatis explained.

The report compared life expectancy for newborns in recent years to predictions for babies born between 1993 and 1995, shortly after reunification of the formerly divided East and West Germany during the Cold War.

“The living conditions in East and West have equalized,” Destatis statistician Felix zur Nieden told German news agency DPA.

Over the past 20 years, regional differences in the life expectancy of newborn children have decreased significantly: the gap between the states with the highest life expectancy and those with the lowest has fallen by nearly half.

According to the most recent figures, the state with the lowest life expectancy for women was Saarland in the west, at about 82 years. The lowest life expectancy for men was in Saxony-Anhalt in the east at about 76 years.

Between 1993 and 1995, the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had the lowest life expectancy, but since then children born there have made huge gains in how long they're predicted to live: 7.7 more years for men and 5.3 more years for women. This means Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has seen the biggest improvements of any state in that time.

On average across Germany, women are projected to live 3.6 years longer than they were in 1993-1995, and men are calculated to live 5.2 years longer.

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COST OF LIVING

EXPLAINED: How Americans can retire in Switzerland

A tranquil, peaceful and safe country, Switzerland's appeal is undeniable. Here's how Americans can retire in Switzerland.

Published: 18 October 2021 16:00 CEST
Updated: 11 January 2022 14:54 CET
Two people hold up their American passports in a European town square
While it is not easy for Americans to retire in Switzerland, it is fortunately not impossible. Here's what you need to know. Photo by Spencer Davis from Pexels

With clean streets, tranquil vibes and low crime rates, Switzerland is a perfect place to retire. 

People from across the world have flocked to Switzerland to spend their later years, with American singer Tina Turner, Canadian singer Shania Twain, British musician Phil Collins and Swedish businessman Ingvar Kamprad – of IKEA fame – among the many who have all chosen to spend their twilight years in the alpine nation. 

For Americans – or indeed anyone – looking to retire in Switzerland, the good news is you don’t need to be world famous in order to do so. 

You will however need to jump through a few hoops. 

The rules for retiring differ on the basis of whether you are from an EU/EFTA state or not, with the US, UK, Australia, India and Israel being some of the many examples of ‘third countries’. 

If you are not American, click the following link for information on how to retire in Switzerland. 

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about retiring in Switzerland

Here’s what you need to know. 

How can Americans retire in Switzerland

There are two broad categories of Americans wanting to retire in Switzerland: those who already live here with valid working permits – and those who still live in the United States. 

If you worked or are working in Switzerland on a valid residence permit, retirement is unlikely to be difficult at all. 

Switzerland has a retirement age of 65 for men and for women. The retirement age for women was raised from 64 to 65 in June 2021. 

If you fit into this category, then please check our our extensive guide on pensions in Switzerland. 

EXPLAINED: How does the Swiss pension system work – and how much will I receive?

But if you currently do not live in Switzerland/have a Swiss residence permit and would like to retire here, this is still possible. 

How can non-residents including Americans retire in Switzerland? 

In order to be granted a visa to retire in Switzerland, you need to have: 

  • Adequate financial resources and proof you will not look for work in Switzerland;
  • A close connection with Switzerland;
  • You must have Swiss health and accident coverage.

These points are dealt with individually below. 

How does the process work?

If you come from outside the EU / EFTA, you must apply for a visa with a Swiss diplomatic/consular mission in your country of residence, i.e. in the United States. 

First, they will check that you don’t have any criminal records.

You must be 55 years of age or older to move to Switzerland from abroad in order to retire. The Swiss retirement age is 65. 

You will need to demonstrate a close link to Switzerland.

This can be past residency, family ties or even frequent holidays in Switzerland can suffice as evidence of a close connection. 

Real estate can be a factor, although keep in mind that owning property in Switzerland is no guarantee of a close connection. 

Reader question: Does owning a second home in Switzerland give me the right to live there?

Also, in order to be considered, you must prove that you have enough financial resources to live in Switzerland without having to work or claim welfare benefits.

You do not have to transfer the bulk of your financial interests to Switzerland, although this is likely to help illustrate that you have enough financial resources to move there. 

You can transfer your pension to Switzerland provided there’s a bilateral arrangement with your country of origin. More information is available here. 

READ MORE: How to get a visa to retire in Switzerland

The eventual decision is made by cantonal authorities and is often highly discretionary.

Tina Turner, who has lived in Château Algonquin in Küsnacht, Zurich, since 1994, is perhaps the most prominent American who has retired in Switzerland. 

While speaking a Swiss language is a pre-requisite of citizenship, as with plenty of other things, the authorities appear willing to make exceptions when the price is right or when you’re the honorary mayor of Nutbush City.

Turner gave up her American citizenship in 2013 and became a Swiss citizen, despite not speaking German, French or Italian.

Which brings us to…

Money helps grease the wheels

A little-known article of the Swiss law — Article 30 of the Federal Aliens Act — allows wealthy foreigners from outside Europe to move to Switzerland.

Cantons can issue residence permits B to these people, if local authorities deem that there is a “significant fiscal interest” in such a move.

Golden visas: Everything you need to know about ‘buying’ Swiss residency

What exactly does “significant fiscal interest mean?” 

This term is defined by each canton.

For instance, the lowest annual tax rate for a non-EU foreigner is 287,882 francs in Valais, 312,522 francs in Geneva, and 415,000 Vaud. 

Every year, around 40 to 50 people ‘buy’ their way into Switzerland this way, as reported by TagesAnzeiger, which used the numbers published by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

How much should you save for a ‘comfortable’ retirement in Switzerland?

To maintain the usual standard of living during retirement, residents of Switzerland need more savings nowadays than four years ago, according to an analysis by UBS bank, which compared the pension systems of 24 countries.

In 2017, the last time UBS conducted a similar study, that number was 11 percent.

The new UBS International Pension Gap Index found that “the Swiss pension system still enjoys a high reputation. However, contrary to other countries, it is more difficult to push through urgently needed reforms to ensure this reputation will last”.

Click the following link for more information

READ MORE: How much should you save to retire in Switzerland?

Please note: As with all of our explainers, they are intended as a guide only and do not constitute legal or financial advice. Please discuss any financial decisions with a certified expert in the field. 

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