21.08.2024
8 Facts About Life in Switzerland for Foreigners
Every year, tens of thousands of people immigrate to Switzerland. Most have heard that the quality of life in Switzerland for foreigners is very high. But is this small alpine nation really as idyllic as it seems? What about the cost of living — is it prohibitive, or do the high salaries make up for it? Let’s explore these topics through a week in the life of a fictional expat family living in Zurich.
Life in Switzerland for Foreigners: Is Switzerland a Good Place to Live?
James Williams, 45, and his wife Emma, 44, moved to a suburb of Zurich a year ago with their eight-year-old son, Roger. James works as a Process Engineer at a Swiss company. He earns CHF 120,000 per year, which is higher than the Swiss average salary of CHF 81,500.
Although James is an American, he was able to move to Switzerland because his mother is Swiss. He has a Swiss passport, so both he and Emma can legally work in Switzerland.
1. The Swiss Workday Is Limited to Office Hours
Companies in Switzerland tend to start their workdays earlier than in the UK or US. On Monday, James is expected to be at work by 08:30, so he has to get up at 07:00. From his residential area, it takes him 20 minutes to get to his office in the city centre by public transport. Because the trams arrive every few minutes, he has time for breakfast with his family. Punctuality is an important sign of respect in Switzerland, so he leaves home promptly at 08:00 and arrives at his office on time.
The workday lasts until approximately 17:00. Employees are legally obligated to take adequate rest breaks, so they can’t work at lunch and leave early. Since James is working on an important project, he leaves his office at 17:30 and arrives home at 18:00. None of his colleagues will call him out of hours as this is considered rude in Switzerland. Therefore, James can spend several undisturbed hours with his wife and son every evening.
2. Stay-At-Home Parents Are Common
Emma is the trailing spouse. Like many Swiss parents, she is at home when her child returns from school. In Switzerland, only around one-third of children go to daycare centres, which can be expensive and hard to get into.
Emma worked in HR in the US but hasn’t found a job in Switzerland yet. Many positions require good German skills, and Emma is still learning. On Tuesday morning, she walks her son Roger to school. She drops him off at the street corner, where he meets several of his friends. Swiss schools value independence, so children are expected to enter the school building on their own.
Roger comes home for lunch, but he returns to school for another two hours in the afternoon. Emma takes this time to research networking events. There are plenty of expat groups in and around Zurich, and she is hoping to find a part-time job through the Professional Women’s Group or a similar organisation.
Looking to connect with other expats? Read our article about building a social life in Switzerland for foreigners
3. Swiss Healthcare Is Affordable and High-Quality
On Wednesdays, Swiss children have the afternoons off. Roger is already looking forward to training at his football club. But at 11:00, Emma gets a call and has to go pick him up because he has sprained his wrist at recess. She takes him to the local hospital, where he is treated within two hours. He has to stay home for the rest of the day and the next day.
James and Emma don’t have to cover the whole hospital visit because they have basic health insurance. This costs a bit over CHF 800 per month, which is average in Switzerland for a family of three. They have chosen a CHF 1,000 deductible (excess), which makes their policy more affordable. The lowest possible deductible is CHF 300, and the highest CHF 2,500. Most healthcare costs, including medication, visits to the doctor’s office or hospital, and various types of treatments like physiotherapy, are covered by basic insurance.
4. Most People Live in Apartments
James works from home on Thursdays and Fridays. Although employees don’t have a statutory right to telework in Switzerland, his employer is flexible and has implemented a hybrid working model since the end of the pandemic.
James and Emma’s flat has a small office space, so James can work even when his family is home. Because they live in a popular area of Zurich, their apartment is relatively small. They pay a little over CHF 3,000 per month for a two-bedroom place in an apartment block. Since they think they want to live in Switzerland long-term, they’ve looked into buying a small house in the area. However, finding something suitable can take many months or even years.
5. Most Couples Cohabitate Before Getting Married
Roger is back at school on Friday, so Emma has time to have coffee with another American expat in the morning. Her friend has been using dating apps to meet new people in the area. Although she used to complain that many locals don’t take online dating seriously, she’s recently met someone. She tells Emma about their cultural differences. While marriage is normal in her hometown, her Swiss partner isn’t keen on it. He wants to cohabitate instead. This is increasingly common in Switzerland, as people are becoming more hesitant to tie the knot.
6. You’ll Benefit from Learning the Local Language
Later, Emma goes to her language course, offered by a large local provider called the Migros Klubschule (Migros Club School). She started learning German a year before her move, and she’s recently passed her A2 course. This means that she is now an intermediate learner. In about two years, when she’s passed her fourth or fifth exam, she will be able to work in a German-speaking company.
7. You Can Do Amazing Day or Weekend Trips
Saturday is a lovely late spring day, and the family decides to go on an outing to Stein am Rhein to see the iconic Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Being able to take day and weekend trips to hundreds of cultural and natural beauty spots is one of the main advantages of life in Switzerland for foreigners.
It takes just over an hour by train to get to the Rhine Falls. Like the tram James takes to work, the trains are clean, punctual, and well-maintained.
Aside from the waterfalls, they visit the medieval Laufen castle and the picturesque town of Stein am Rhein, where Roger can splash around in the river Rhine. It’s too cold now, but in the summer, many people float down the river with waterproof bags. Since outdoor activities are common in Switzerland, many children are used to hiking. The one-hour walk is not a problem for Roger.
Germany is very close to Stein am Rhein, but the family doesn’t cross the border this time. They travel to Germany or France at least once a month to explore local sights and benefit from the cheaper grocery prices.
8. Sunday Is a Day of Rest
Most shops are closed on Sundays, and people take the day off to spend with family, pursue passion projects, or relax in nature. This week, the family has been invited to a garden party by an English-speaking expat group.
Although they still mainly socialise with other expats, they are starting to make some Swiss friends. Emma is part of the school’s WhatsApp group and has connected with several local mothers through school activities. James is beginning to spend time with one or two Swiss co-workers. In Switzerland, social life and work life are strictly separate, so it has taken longer for him to find workmates than in his previous job. However, he believes that his new Swiss friends are very loyal and dependable. He can imagine remaining connected to them for the rest of his life.
Is Switzerland a Good Place to Live for Foreigners?
Like anywhere else, life in Switzerland for foreigners has its ups and downs. However, the country has a lot to offer, from great jobs to high-quality education and healthcare to amazing natural beauty. If you’re ready to find your new job in Switzerland, send your application to Rigby AG so that we can connect you to suitable opportunities.