What do I need to know before moving to Switzerland?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Switzerland, they said...
"Keep in mind: - There is no free choice of school for your children, unless you are willing and able to pay for (expensive) private schools. Your children will usually go to school in the quarter you live. If you have specific school preferences for your kids, take this into consideration in the neighborhood choice. - Not only property prices vary highly between city and countryside, and between the various cantons. Also taxes and costs for (mandatory!) health insurance may vary a lot. Example: the canton of Zug may sound very attractive at first sight, because of the extremely low taxes. You'll quickly find out that this is (more than) compensated by prices for housing. Check out tax and health insurance rates at www.comparis.ch," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Olten, Switzerland.
"It is important to be aware that there are four official languages of Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romantsch. Depending on where you are moving to, language proficiency may be important to learn before relocation. Moreover, Switzerland is a highly regulated country, with a lot of paperwork and fees required for administrative procedures. Expats should familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations before moving. Additionally, the cost of living in Switzerland can be quite high. To help manage these costs, some employers may provide cost of living compensation packages. Furthermore, Swiss health care is world class, but expats should be aware of the requirements necessary to be eligible to use the system. Finally, Swiss culture is rooted in tradition, while at the same time being open to the world, making it a great country to move to," commented one expat who made the move to Switzerland.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Switzerland?
- How do I meet people in Switzerland?
- What is life like in Switzerland?
- Is there a lot of crime in Switzerland?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Switzerland accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Switzerland like?
- Is the cost of living in Switzerland high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Switzerland?
- What are healthcare services like in Switzerland?
- Is the cost of living in Switzerland high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Switzerland?
- What is the weather like in Switzerland?
- Are there good restaurants in Switzerland?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Switzerland?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Switzerland?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Switzerland?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Switzerland?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Switzerland?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What do I need to know before moving to Switzerland?
If you live in Switzerland, newcomers to Switzerland would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.