Switzerland regularly tops rankings for salaries, safety and quality of life, and it is home to global employers in finance, pharmaceuticals and engineering. It is also one of the most expensive places on earth and one of the most selective about who can move there. Your route depends almost entirely on your passport.

Who can move to Switzerland?

Switzerland is not in the EU, but it has a free movement agreement with it. EU and EFTA citizens with a job contract, a business or enough money to support themselves can register with their commune and receive an L permit (under one year) or a B permit (five years), according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

For everyone else it is much harder. Non-EU nationals can generally only be hired as qualified specialists, managers or people with rare skills. The employer has to show that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate was available, and permits are issued within annual federal quotas. In practice this means a senior or specialist role with a large employer.

Other routes include family reunification for spouses and children, study permits, and residence for financially independent people who will not work. Some cantons offer these wealthy non-working residents a lump-sum tax based on living expenses rather than income.

How much does it cost to live in Switzerland?

Expect to pay roughly double what you would in most of Western Europe. Based on our Switzerland data, a one-bedroom flat averages around $2,000 a month and a three-bedroom around $3,500, with Zurich and Geneva well above that. Groceries for one person run about $550 a month, and a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant easily costs 100 francs.

Two costs surprise newcomers:

  • Health insurance: basic cover is compulsory and paid per person, not through your employer. Premiums are set by canton and age; check the official comparison on priminfo.admin.ch.
  • Childcare: full-time daycare can cost 2,000 to 3,000 francs a month per child in big cities before subsidies.

Salaries largely compensate. The average salary in our data is around $95,000 a year, and the Federal Statistical Office reports a gross median wage of more than 6,000 francs a month.

How Swiss taxes work

Income tax is levied by three layers: federal, cantonal and municipal. The federal rate tops out at 11.5%, but cantonal and communal rates differ widely, so where you live matters as much as what you earn. Combined top rates range from about 22% in Zug to more than 40% in Geneva, according to PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Foreign workers on B permits usually pay tax at source, deducted from their salary.

VAT is a low 8.1%, and gains from selling private shares are generally tax-free. Social security contributions (AHV/IV/EO and unemployment insurance) take about 6.4% of salary. Use our tax calculator to estimate take-home pay.

Daily life

Switzerland runs on punctuality, rules and consensus. Sunday is a quiet day: many towns frown on loud chores, and shops are closed. Recycling is meticulous, and many communes require official, taxed rubbish bags.

Your experience depends on the language region. Zurich, Basel and Bern are German-speaking, but daily life is in Swiss German dialect. Geneva and Lausanne are French-speaking, and Ticino is Italian-speaking. English works at international companies, but learning the local language matters for making friends and for long-term residence. Swiss trains are superb, and many residents never own a car.

Is moving to Switzerland worth it?

If you have a high-paying job offer or EU citizenship, Switzerland offers safety, excellent services, mountains on your doorstep and some of the highest disposable incomes anywhere. If you are a non-EU citizen without a sponsor, a remote worker or on a modest budget, neighbouring countries are usually more realistic. Compare Switzerland with another country side by side before deciding.