Tips for relocating to Switzerland
Switzerland is of the best countries to live and work in. When you have decided to move to this beautiful place, you made the right choice! Switzerland is a beautiful country with a rich cultural life and a huge international community. What is not to love about cities like Bern, Zürich, Geneva or Basel?! All these cities have a rich history and are well suited for expats and foreigners. Living is Switzerland is great and it does not matter where you come from; everybody can feel right at home. Moving to Switzerland is an exciting step and there are a lot of decisions you will have to make before you can settle in Switzerland. We created an expat guide to make relocating to Switzerland a bit easier. This expat guide will explain everything you need to know before moving to Switzerland.
Administration
Switzerland is a country of strict bureaucracy and it is therefore important to be well-informed about the rules and regulations in this country. If you want to take your personal belongings into Switzerland (without paying taxes) you will need a transfer of domicile. The domicile is the country which a person officially has as their permanent home, or has a substantial connection with. In this case you will need proof of transfer of domicile, which can be in the form of an employment contract or rental agreement. You must also provide an inventory of the important items. There is a whole list of things you can’t take over the border, but you don’t need to read it all if you have common sense. Furthermore, you will need to register at your local municipality. This is one of the first steps in the Swiss bureaucracy machine. You will get all the information you need. Moreover, you will need to be properly insured. You can easily take out a car insurance, health insurance or a travel insurance online.
Cost of living in Switzerland
The cost of living in Switzerland is quite high compared to the surrounding European countries. This is because the Swiss use another currency (Swiss franc or CHF) which is highly valuated. Do not worry, if you are planning on working in Switzerland this will be not a problem. You will receive enough money to live accordingly. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro. However, in many big cities like Zürich or Basel, prices are also indicated in Euro which allows you to compare the two currencies.
Swiss bank account
One of the most important things to arrange is to open a Swiss bank account. It will save you some trouble if you arrange this beforehand. A landlord for example normally asks for a 3-month income statement of your bank account; if you already have a Swiss bank account it is a plus. Moreover, most mobile phone operators or internet providers will ask for a Swiss bank account number during the sign-up process. Opening a Swiss bank account is not that much different from opening a standard bank account, since you have to fill out forms and provide documentation that proves who you are and what you do. There are often minimum balance requirements depending on the type of account you want. The main benefits from a Swiss bank is that they offer low levels of financial risk and high levels of privacy.
Swiss mobile operators
The Swiss are one of the most advanced countries when it comes to mobile telecommunications and there are multiple mobile providers on the market. You can choose between a sim-only subscription and a prepaid card. What would suit you best depends on the duration of your stay. Roaming will get expensive at long-term and that is why it would be smart to acquire a mobile phone contract or a prepaid card.
Swiss internet providers
Almost every internet provider in Switzerland provides stable connection and good customer services. Not everybody uses the internet in the same way and therefore it is important to know what kind of user you are before engaging in a long-term contract. If you use the Internet just for opening your mail or for gaming? These are questions you need to ask yourself beforehand. We have selected the best internet providers that offer transparent and clear contract to non-Swiss speakers. There are multiple internet service providers on the market and with our tips we will ensure that you sign-up for a subscription that fits to your needs.
Housing in Switzerland
It can be difficult to find a well-prices house or apartment in Switzerland. If you want to live in the upscale parts of Basel, Zürich or Geneva it can become difficult finding housing on short notice. Like in almost every big city the central areas are more expensive to live in, but also offer you the best experience of the Swiss life. If you are already in contact with people living in Switzerland it can be smart to contact them, it is always easier finding housing via personal contact than over the web.
Swiss culture
Switzerland lies between different European countries. Three languages are spoken in Switzerland: French, German and Italian. The Swiss culture is characterized by diversity and there are many different traditional customs. The Alps play an important role shaping the Swiss culture. A lot of the culture where the Swiss are associated with originates from the Alps. Think about skiing and mountaineering culture (yodelling). So, what is typical Swiss? Typical cultural icons include: Swiss army knives, Swiss chocolate, cheese and watches!
Working and living in Switzerland
Switzerland; a country that is safe, clean and free spirited. The people are open for newcomers and very polite. If you need help with meeting new people – no worries! There are a lot of intersting dating sites in Switzerland. Switzerland is in the top 10 of the happiest nations worldwide. The expats living in Switzerland seem to agree with that since they voted Switzerland one of the best places to work and live in. Switzerland is a beautiful country where your dreams and desires can become reality. So, why wait any longer? Go and live in Switzerland.