Discover Switzerland

Housing in Switzerland is generally comfortable and modern, with rented apartments being a common place to live. Demand for rentals is high, especially in Zurich and Geneva, so start your search early.

If your employer doesn’t provide housing, start your search online before you leave home. Swiss newspapers and property brochures are good sources of information. And estate agents can be helpful once you’re in the country.

To secure a property, you’ll need to put down a deposit of up to 3 months’ rent and provide documents such as bank statements and personal references.

The cost of living in Switzerland is high, but so is the standard of living. Cities like Geneva, Zurich and Bern are among the most expensive destinations in the world.

Housing costs and daily expenses, including groceries, dining out and public transport, can be costly. You may want to try to anticipate what your living expenses will be so you can budget effectively.  

Taxes vary depending on the canton or city you live in.

Switzerland offers robust education options for expat children, including public, private, and international schools.

Many children attend public schools in the local area, which are free. If you’re planning to stay in Switzerland for the long term, sending your children to one of these schools could be a good option. If you’re wanting to send your child to a private or international school, you’ll need to pay school fees.

The school year runs from September to June, with exact dates set by each canton. It’s compulsory for children aged between 5 and 15 to attend school – this can vary slightly between cantons, with some starting compulsory education from age 4.

Switzerland has public and private medical facilities. Medical insurance is compulsory for all residents, and you must make sure you’re covered within 3 months of arriving in the country. There are options for basic government insurance or comprehensive private policies.

For dentistry and optional extras such as private rooms, you’ll need private insurance. Emergency medical services are covered by a separate compulsory Accident Insurance Scheme (UVG).

The country boasts a top-notch transportation network. Air travel connects the bigger cities, such as Geneva, Zurich and Bern, and an extensive and efficient rail network links local and regional services.

You can travel by rail to almost anywhere in Switzerland, as well as to neighbouring France, Germany and Italy. There’s also buses which connect bigger cities, as well as local areas and those without a train station.

Those who wish to drive will discover that road conditions are outstanding and speed limits are strictly enforced. Driving on icy roads in winter can be challenging, and most local cars are sold with snow tyres.