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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

How can a foreign teacher find work in a Swiss school or university?

More Swiss cantons are hiring teachers from abroad, but candidates must meet certain criteria.

Published: 7 May 2024 15:05 CEST
How can a foreign teacher find work in a Swiss school or university?

Too few teachers are being trained in Switzerland, which means that by the beginning of the new decade, between 43,000 and 47,000 new professionals would need to be recruited. 

To remedy this situation, various cantons are taking steps, or are planning to do so in the near future, to fill the gap with teachers trained abroad. 

READ ALSO: Swiss cantons move to hire more foreign teachers 

Does this mean that any foreign teacher can easily find work in Switzerland?

Let’s define ‘foreign’ first.

If you are a foreign national who has been entirely trained at one of Swiss Universities of Teacher Education (PH), and receive a corresponding diploma, then you are in the clear, and no further action is needed.

If, however, you studied abroad and obtained a foreign diploma, then you may have to be-retrained in Switzerland, and meet the local hiring criteria.

One thing to remember is that cantons are responsible for their own school system, so requirements (as well as opportunities) may be different from one region to another.

Teachers with foreign teaching diplomas can apply to the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education (EDK) to have their credentials recognised in Switzerland.  

The EDK will decide what (if any) further training or certification you may need in order to work in a school in a given canton.

This is how it works

The EDK will compare your foreign training with the one provided in Swiss universities.

If it is found to be equivalent, you will receive an official certificate of recognition of your diploma in Switzerland, and can then look for a job.

If, however, there are significant differences in the level of education, the EDK will ask for so-called ‘compensatory measures’ — for instance, via a ‘Certificate of Advanced Studies’ (CAS) —  to be carried out in a Swiss PH before your diploma can be recognised.

The exact steps are described here.

Language proficiency

Obviously, if you come from Germany, France, Italy, Austria, or Liechtenstein, and intend to teach in the linguistically-appropriate canton, then this is one hurdle you don’t have to overcome.

For all the others, however, candidates must provide proof of sufficient language skills in one of the main Swiss national languages.

“As proof of such language skills in German, French or Italian, an internationally recognised language diploma at Level C2 of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERF) the is required,” according to the EDK.

For those who only teach a language that is not a Swiss national language (such as English), a B2 CERF level in German, French, or Italian is sufficient.

READ ALSO: How can I have my foreign qualifications recognised in Switzerland? 

What about work permits?

If you come from an EU / EFTA state (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), then you will obtain a permit easily – if you haven’t gotten one yet.

For those from third countries, things are more complicated because you are subject to special quotas and will be admitted only if your presence in Switzerland is considered to be “in the general economic interest.”

This means that you must not only be a highly qualified professional in your field, but also that no Swiss or EU / EFTA national can be found for a given teaching position.

However, if you are a third-country national who already lives in Switzerland with a valid permit, then your candidacy will be considered.

All of the above applies to those looking for a job at primary and secondary schools, but what about universities?

Different procedure

The hiring system at Swiss universities is different.

While foreigners can, of course, apply for a teaching job, most universities recruit professors they need themselves.

Overall, foreigners constitute just over half of teaching staff at Swiss universities.

This is especially the case in the two federal polytechnic institutes — the ETH in Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne —  with 70 and 82 percent, respectively — of foreigners among their academic staff.

Typically, these institutions recruit staff from reputable universities abroad to fill specific  teaching positions — for instance in sciences.

These people are hired as visiting professors at the invitation of one of the faculties. Such appointments are made for a minimum of one month and a maximum of one year, though they can be extended.

In such cases, universities will apply for a visa and a work permit for visiting professors from outside the EU / EFTA.

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