Once you join it, you can definitely end up in an expat bubble. As you can see, there are many reasons to consider Switzerland as your new home. ©2016 Global Graduates Ltd. But where there are pros, there must be cons. I just love the nature and the mentality of Swiss people. Consumer Prices in Germany are 46.50% lower than in Switzerland: Consumer Prices Including Rent in Germany are 46.36% lower than in Switzerland: Rent Prices in Germany are 45.98% lower than in Switzerland: Restaurant Prices in Germany are 48.27% lower than in Switzerland: Groceries Prices in Germany are 59.13% lower than in Switzerland Cons of living in Switzerland As you can see, there are many reasons to consider Switzerland as your new home. Diversity. But if you’re from Canada or the US, it’s only five years. 14. In the same survey, 53% of expats in Switzerland said they were mostly friends with other expats. The International Baccalaureate syllabus was created in Switzerland, and many schools there still teach to it. A legendary tennis player and sportsman, and just a bit popular round Switzerland. Individuals can manage their expectations by researching the country before a move, but some things just have to be experienced first-hand! Switzerland is famous for its many banks, and being one of the finance hubs of the world makes it any easy place to open a bank account. In Switzerland, there are people who view foreigners as being highly suspect. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Switzerland has all the goods (cities, mountains, lakes, forests, towns, ancient heritage) that all European countries do but in a nice compact space, meaning you don’t have to spend as much time travelling to see something completely different and new! But overall, opening a Swiss account is simple and straightforward. 10 Reasons to Live Abroad: Guide for Future Expats. Outdoor recreation in Switzerland is rampant. It will take serious effort to integrate, and the thriving ex-pat community will probably make it even more difficult. In 2018, Switzerland fell to no. Try TransferWise today and see how easy it can be to manage and move your money. Much of the country is taken up by the Alps, and the remaining land comes at a premium. Expensiveness of Switzerland actually has an advantage. Even in the countryside, it is far more usual for families to live in apartments than it is in places like the UK. The process varies between regions, but you’ll generally have to prove a certain level of one of the national languages, knowledge about Switzerland, and integration into the local community. She moved to Switzerland from the UK in 2017 and does her best to get to grips with the language and customs in her new home city, Lucerne. Whether you’re a Brit, Australian, or an American, you’re sure to be enchanted by Europe’s small Alpine jewel. It’s true, there is potential to earn a lot of money in Switzerland. It’s so unusual and exotic to go to Switzerland for your Year Abroad, making the whole experience a talking point that is out of the ordinary. famous resorts like St. Moritz and Verbier for the ski fans amongst you! Privacy Policy, Copyright © 2009-2020 Numbeo. TransferWise also offers borderless multi-currency accounts, which allow users to send, receive, hold and manage money in dozens of global currencies all at the same time. They offer a 7-day free trial. Cost of Living More reading: Here are 10 things to know as you plan your move to Lucerne Switzerland. Your email address will not be published. In Lucerne, where I live, 14 of our 16 public holidays will fall on a weekday this year. Most Swiss people — around 60% of the total population — rent their homes instead of owning them, which means there’s a highly saturated and highly competitive rental market. Just like any country, life in Switzerland has its pros and cons, and it takes some adapting to. The chance to see some of the most iconic mountains in Europe, and the “Top of Europe” is exclusive to die Schweiz/la Suisse/la Svizzera, not good old Deutschland. Groceries and restaurants are pricey, too. Pretty colours, less common than Euros and also much stronger and less rip-able than them too. There’s just a small, fair transfer fee that’s spelled out for you upfront. Regardless, the first step is research, and this list should give you a good idea of whether you’ll feel right at home, or not quite. The Swiss have a culture of eating what is local and in-season. Lucy Ferguson is a freelance writer and editor. Salaries of part time-jobs are amazing, for example minimum/low wage jobs in the UK like waiter/bartenders get around 30 CHF an hour (£20-25). Guide to Giraffe Species: How Many Types of Giraffes Are There? Especially in cities, there are meetups, clubs, and events for international residents all over Switzerland. If you take a look around a Swiss town or village, you may notice there isn’t much of a “garden culture” here either. If you love chocolate and picturesque mountain ranges, you’ve probably dreamed of living in Switzerland. (1:17) I hope it helps :)Finding a place to live in GenevaGood luck!TYA Team x. Hiya! In this post by Lucy Ferguson (bio) you'll learn the pros and cons about living in Switzerland as an expat. This one may be a little bit of a culture shock for some expats. But if you use your bank or a traditional money transfer service, you’ll routinely see a 4-5% markup on the exchange rate, which basically amounts to a hidden fee you’ll have to pay for just to move your money. Switzerland has much to offer expat retirees:... Switzerland has far more to offer than just charming Alpine slopes and delicious chocolate. Even if you tick all these boxes, there’s still a chance to fall at the final hurdle — a vote by a panel or assembly of citizens from your local community, who can decide to reject your application if they wish. For many the mountains are just a stone’s throw away, attracting hikers in both summer and winter, and making skiing a legitimate option for a spontaneous day out. The universal healthcare system in Switzerland has a world-class... Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, and home to huge numbers of businesses across sectors like life sciences, IT and financial services. It’ll take a high salary and some good budgeting to make the most of a life in Switzerland, especially if you plan on living near a city center, where the action is. That means that meals are fresh, healthy and delicious, including any of Switzerland’s 450 kinds of cheese, 200 kinds of bread and pastries, farm-fresh meat and eggs and more. The long distance and time differences are a recipe for homesickness and feelings of isolation, and it won’t help that a lot of creature comforts you may have enjoyed back home (things like peanut butter and processed foods) are difficult to find or very expensive in Switzerland. Consumer Prices in Switzerland are 87.38% higher than in Germany: Consumer Prices Including Rent in Switzerland are 86.87% higher than in Germany: Rent Prices in Switzerland are 85.56% higher than in Germany: Restaurant Prices in Switzerland are 93.77% higher than in Germany: Groceries Prices in Switzerland are 145.29% higher than in Germany There’s not always an outright bias, but it’s important to note that is does exist, and it could affect the ease with which expats find jobs and housing. Watch Switzerland vs Germany live streaming on Fubo TV. Switzerland vs Germany: scores, results and stats 6 September 2020. There are no markups or hidden fees. Switzerland is a melting pot in pretty much every area of life because of the different native communities and the newer immigrant ones, and the varying landscapes. For most foreign nationals, it’s required that you live in Switzerland for a minimum of 12 years before you’re eligible to become a citizen. Though moving to Switzerland would be a good start, obtaining a Swiss passport isn’t easy (or cheap or quick). Exclusive to Switzerland, this chocolate/malt hybrid is everywhere. It even beats Cadbury World (feels like treason to say that!). What you need to know. The Swiss consider Sunday to truly be a day of rest, which might be nice, but it sure can be inconvenient, too. 12 Best Binoculars for the Money [Buyers Guide], Complete African Safari Packing List [Checklist and Guide], 16 Best Anti-theft Backpacks, Purses, Wallets, and Locks [Buyers Guide], How to Choose the Best Portable Water Filter / Purifier [Buyers Guide], 11 Best Sun Protection Hats: Travelers Guide for Men, Women, Children, 5 Ways to Remove a Tick Head That Broke Off (Humans, Dogs, Cats), How Strong is a Gorilla? How to retire to Switzerland: A complete guide, Getting health insurance in Switzerland: A complete guide, Renting in Zurich: How to find your perfect home, Renting in Switzerland: Everything you need to know. Terms of Use and Your use of this service is subject to our, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course, McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal), Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat), Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car), Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car), Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment, 1 min. Sep 2020, 19:45 Referee Michael Oliver, England Avg. Ppl r workaholic, city life is rather lame compared to Germany, France or Italy. Get a report of the Switzerland vs. Germany 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, Group Stage football match. Minimum wage in Switzerland? Your use of this service is subject to our It was originally a spread (like Nutella but malty-er) but now exists as chocolate bars, several types of biscuit, cereal, drinks, ice cream, and the list goes on. I can’t say enough good things about this country, but don’t just go on my word alone, go there yourself and find out all the amazing things Switzerland has to offer you (number one being free chocolate)…. I’m thinking of moving there once this corona stuff is all over, hopefully. Privacy Policy, Copyright © 2009-2020 Numbeo. In the UK, that number is 8. It has great chocolate, an even better landscape and an efficient population, ready to help you navigate the endless form filling of home universities, Erasmus grants, work permits, and bank accounts. The onus is on you to keep trying and to prove your dedication to joining the community. It stands alone and proud, and gets by pretty darn well by itself. Silverback Strength vs Humans (Grizzly, Lion, Croc), How Fast Can a Crocodile Run? Switzerland has vibrant cities, a refreshing natural environment, and some of the highest standards of living on the planet. She wrote the brilliant. Not all will fall on a weekday, but there are still plenty to go around.