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WORKING IN SWITZERLAND

Five of the best co-working spaces in Switzerland’s big cities

Since the pandemic co-working spaces have boomed bringing together freelancers, entrepreneurs and even full-time employees. So we've picked out five of the best in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern.

Published: 3 February 2023 15:39 CET
Updated: 6 February 2024 10:57 CET
Five of the best co-working spaces in Switzerland's big cities
The best co-working spots in Switzerland Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

More than just a trend: Co-working spaces have grown and established themselves across Switzerland. Not least since a certain pandemic have employers realised that staff working outside the office on a 9–5 schedule can be at least as productive (if not more) as they were before the work-from-home boom.

Not surprisingly then that more and more co-working spaces are popping up within Switzerland, allowing entrepreneurs, freelancers, and even full-time employees to choose the best working environment for their needs.

Tessinerplatz, Zurich

One of Zurich’s most popular co-working spaces, the Tessinerplatz offers modern meeting rooms for rent, an inspiring working environment and to top it all off, the (self-proclaimed) best public coffee bar in Zurich’s city centre.

Aspiring co-workers can choose from among five options, the Flex Desk (CHF 130/day), the Fix Desk (CHF 600/month) and the Student or Senior Desk (CHF 65+/month).

The Tessinerplatz also offers young entrepreneurs a special deal on the so-called Startup Desk, with the first month being free of charge and the 2nd to 4th months being priced at 40 percent less than the original fee. Normal pricing for the Startup Desk applies from month five.

Those choosing to book a desk at Tessinerplatz can enjoy a multitude of perks, such as free coffee and beer, free use of e-bikes and a free community membership.

You can also book a tour of the place prior to formally booking a spot or alternatively, do a trial day entirely free of charge!

Impact Hub, Basel

The Impact Hub describes itself as a community of purpose-driven members working towards the Sustainable Development Goals and making a positive impact in the world. The co-working spaces were specifically designed to support social entrepreneurs and sustainable innovators in the city, so if you feel passionate about making a difference while getting the most out of your workday, then the Impact Hub would make a great fit.

The Impact Hub is based in Basel’s up-and-coming Dreispitz district and offers workers the Starter (CHF 135/month), Medium (CHF 215/month) and Nomad (CHF 395/month) packs.

As part of all three, workers will have 24/7 access to high-speed Wi-Fi, a printer and scanner, and even a mini library. The facilities also include a kitchen with free coffee and a weekly networking offer with croissants.

Gotham, Lausanne

Gotham offers Switzerland’s biggest co-working spaces and aims to foster innovation between start-ups and corporate businesses. If you’re looking to work near the city centre, Gotham’s Lausanne Gare – located just minutes from the train station – may be your best bet.

Described as a “city within a city”, the eco-responsible Lausanne Gare offers workers high-tech meeting rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, a secured area, and unlimited printers. For those looking for some downtime as well as productivity, Lausanne Gare’s facilities also come with a chill and fun zone as well as free Nespresso coffee.

Spaces, Geneva

If you’re hoping to work side by side with like-minded entrepreneurs in flexible shared offices, then Spaces in Geneva’s Quai De L’Ile, just opposite the Place de Bel-Air, is the place to be.

The fully renovated and low energy consumption building has nine meeting rooms, 29 dedicated desks, accessibility, multiple breakout areas, and is fully serviced.

Co-workers can opt for a monthly membership which will set you back CHF 349 for a full month, CHF 219 per person for 10 days, or CHF 145 for 5 days.

For those not into hot desking and with money to splurge, you can also book a “dedicated desk” in a beautifully designed shared workspace for CHF 875 a month. This option will also give you your own personal locker as well as 24/7 access.

Zentroom, Bern

Based inside Bern’s train station, zentroom impresses with its modern infrastructure and stunning views over Switzerland’s capital.

In addition to free drinks and fruit, co-workers can choose from a half or full day pass (CHF 29/45) which gives you access to a 1,100-square metres open space or common area – however, beware! This option is on a strict first come, first served basis and spaces fill up quickly. If you’re looking to save money on your half or full day pass, then buying 10 passes at once will give you 10 percent off the original price. The passes themselves have no expiration date.

Those wishing to use the zentroom facilities more frequently can also invest in monthly membership plans. The Flex Desk Light (CHF 370/month) package will give you access to a shared desk space for 10 days, while workers choosing the Flex Desk package (CHF 690/month) have 24/7 access to the offices using a provided key for a whole month.

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For members

WORKING IN SWITZERLAND

The pitfalls of Switzerland’s social security system you need to avoid

In most cases, Switzerland’s social benefits system functions well. But there are also some loopholes you should know about.

Published: 24 April 2024 13:37 CEST
The pitfalls of Switzerland's social security system you need to avoid

The Swiss social security system has several branches: old-age, survivors’ and disability insurance; health and accident insurance; unemployment benefits, and family allowances.

This is a pretty comprehensive package, which covers everyone who pays into the scheme for a wide variety of ‘what ifs’.

As the government explains it, “people living and working in Switzerland benefit from a tightly woven network of social insurance schemes designed to safeguard them against risks that would otherwise overwhelm them financially.” 

But while most residents of Switzerland are able to benefit, at least to some extent, from this system, others don’t.

What is happening?

If someone becomes ill or has an accident, Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance and / or accident insurance will cover the costs.

However, a prolonged absence from work can become costly.

That is especially the case of people employed by companies that don’t have a collective labour agreement (CLA), a contract negotiated between Switzerland’s trade unions and employers or employer organisations that covers a wide range of workers’ rights. 

READ ALSO: What is a Swiss collective bargaining agreement — and how could it benefit you?

It is estimated that roughly half of Switzerland’s workforce of about 5 million people are not covered by a CLA.

If you just happen to work for a company without a CLA, your employer is not required to pay your salary if your illness is long.

You will receive money for a minimum of three weeks – longer, depending on seniority — but certainly not for the long-haul.

You may think that once your wages stop, the disability insurance (DI) will kick in.

But that’s not the case.

The reason is that DI can be paid only after a year after the wages stop. In practice, however, it sometimes takes several years of investigations and verifications to make sure the person is actually eligible to collect these benefits, rather than just pretending to be sick. 

In the meantime, these people have to use their savings to live on.

What about ‘daily allowance insurance’?

Many companies (especially those covered by a CLA) take out this insurance, so they can pay wages to their sick employees for longer periods of time.

However, this insurance is optional for employers without a CLA is place.

As a result, small companies forego it because it is too much of a financial burden for them.

And people who are self-employed face a problem in this area as well: insurance carriers can (and often do) refuse to cover people they deem to be ‘too risky’ in terms of their age or health status.

Critics are calling the two situations —the length of time it takes for the disability insurance to kick in and gaps in the daily allowance insurance—”perhaps the biggest failures of the social security system.”

Is anything being done to remedy this situation?

Given numerous complaints about the unfairness of the current system, the Social Security and Public Health Commission of the Council of States (CSSS-E) will look into the “consequences of shortcomings and numerous dysfunctions in long-term illness insurance.”

But not everyone in Switzerland sees a problem in the current situation.

According to the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA), for instance, “making daily sickness allowance insurance compulsory for employers would not have the desired effect. Due to false incentives, it would only exacerbate the upward trend in costs and premiums.”

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