Moving to Switzerland from USA - Moving.com (2024)

Switzerland offers one of the highest qualities of life imaginable. Not only is the country beautiful but it is clean and safe and has excellent career opportunities. It also boasts a superior healthcare system. But moving to Switzerland is an involved process. You’ll need to secure a long-stay visa, find housing and a job and move your belongings.

We’ve created this guide to everything you need to know about moving to Switzerland from the U.S. to make your move as smooth as possible.

Is Switzerland right for you?

Just because you love visiting Switzerland doesn’t mean you’ll love living there. Before you commit to moving, realize that it takes time for the Swiss people to warm up to expats. Coworkers may expect you to call them by their last name until they invite you to use their first name. And they may not want to discuss personal topics with you.

The Swiss also don’t like to stand out too much. They frown on big purchases and flashy items. They tend to dress in more neutral colors. If you like color and bling, the Swiss lifestyle may take some getting used to.

Women should also note that gender equality is a somewhat new concept in Switzerland. They couldn’t vote until 1971 or open a bank account on their own until 1985. Even today, there is a significant pay gap between men and women.

Where to move in Switzerland

Once you’ve decided to move to Switzerland, your next decision is where to move. Switzerland consists of 26 cantons, which are the equivalent of American states. Each canton sets its own rules for admitting long-term residents. Most likely you will choose the city you want to live in. Switzerland’s most popular cities include Zurich, Geneva and Bern. But these aren’t the only cities worth considering. The following cities offer great opportunities for people looking to move to Switzerland.

Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city specializes in international finance. It is home to companies like Credit Suisse, Zurich Insurance and Siemens. Roughly a third of its population was born outside Switzerland, and it can be difficult to find rental properties here.

Geneva

The city of Geneva is also an international financial hub. As such, jobs tend to be in banking and investment. Geneva is the European seat of the United Nations. Because the Alps surround it, the city is popular with winter sports enthusiasts.

Bern

The capital of Switzerland moves at a slower pace than Zurich and Geneva. Expats make up about 30 percent of the population, so you will likely feel comfortable here. Bonus: You can swim in the Aare River, hike in the Bernese Alps and enjoy city parks.

Lausanne

This picturesque city spreads across three hills and overlooks Lake Geneva. Named the “best small city in the world” by Monocle magazine, Lausanne is popular with families. It has jobs with companies like Medtronic, Credit Suisse and Phillips Morris International.

Basel

Switzerland’s third-largest city has one of its highest percentages of expats. It borders France and Germany, and its major industry is pharmaceuticals. Technologiepark Basel nurtures health-related startups.

Lucerne

This popular city serves as a great base for exploring the rest of the country. Two of Switzerland’s best employers, Schindler and Swiss Paraplegic, have headquarters here.

The cost of living in Switzerland

Switzerland has a reputation for being one of the most expensive countries in the world. In fact, Zurich and Geneva rank among the 10 most expensive cities on the planet. Mercer’s 2021 Cost of Living City Ranking includes Bern on its top 10 list, too. To put things in perspective, Mercer indicates the cost of living in Zurich is 60 percent more expensive than living in Paris. It is 28 percent more expensive than living in New York.

According to Numbeo, a family of four can expect to pay approximately $5,460 per month before rent. A single person can expect to pay $1,484. That translates to a cost of living in Switzerland that is 60 percent higher than in the United States. Expatistan gives a few examples of what you can expect to pay for common items. According to its website, a combo meal would cost CHF 15 ($15.58 USD). Name brand jeans would cost CHF 118 ($122.55 USD). And a basic dinner for two at a pub would cost CHF 65 ($66.47 USD).

When budgeting your monthly expenses, you’ll also need to consider health insurance. (Switzerland does not have a free healthcare system.) If you have a car, insurance for it is mandatory. Basic home insurance is mandatory, too.

Jobs in Switzerland

You need a job to have a residence permit approved, so finding a job is imperative. Start your search as soon as you decide you want to move. The easiest way to find a job before you move is to search online at Monster, Glassdoor, Indeed and LinkedIn Jobs. Other online options include JobUP, Top Jobs and Le Temps. You may also be able to find jobs through the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. Check Swiss employment agencies and local newspapers, too.

You are more likely to find work in several key industries. These include financial services, advanced manufacturing, robotics, pharmaceuticals and IT. Hospitality jobs are also a possibility. So is self-employment. You will need a work permit from the federal government and local authorities, though. To get one, you’ll have to show you have been successfully self-employed in the past. You may also need to rent an office outside of your home.

When applying for jobs in Switzerland, keep a few things in mind. First, Switzerland has four national languages: German, Italian, French and Romansh. Most people speak English, too, but make sure you read and speak all languages the job requires. Second, the Swiss expect punctuality. If you get an interview, arrive on time and prepared. Finally, dress in muted, professional attire when interviewing.

Salaries in Switzerland

Although it’s expensive to live here, high salaries help offset the higher cost of living. The average annual salary in Switzerland is CHF 124,000 ($128,799 USD), according to SalaryExplorer. For comparison, Indeed lists the average annual salary in the United States at $51,168. Higher salaries could be due to Switzerland’s high minimum wage. While the country doesn’t have a mandatory federal minimum wage, several cantons do. In Geneva, for example, you’ll earn a minimum of CHF 23 ($24 USD). This is the highest minimum wage in the world.

Besides high wages, Swiss workers enjoy at least four weeks of vacation per year. Women can take maternity leave for 98 days at 80 percent of their salary (but no more than CHF 196, or $203 USD). Since January 2021, new dads in Switzerland now have paid paternity leave.

Despite high wages in general, women generally earn less than their male coworkers. This is something studies can’t attribute to experience or qualification. As a result, federal law now requires large companies to review their salaries. Because the law has little teeth to it, it is not expected to make much of a difference.

Taxes in Switzerland

Swiss taxes are progressive. The government levies them at the federal, cantonal and municipal levels. If you belong to a church, it may also tax you. In most cases, your income will be taxable. The Swiss government requires you to file a return if you work in the country for more than 30 days. Tax returns must be filed between March 15 and March 31, depending on where you live.

Even if you pay Swiss income tax, as an American, you must file a tax return with the IRS. Don’t worry. Most U.S. citizens living in Switzerland don’t owe income tax because of double tax treaties. These treaties allow a credit on your U.S. tax return for income already taxed in Switzerland. The IRS also gives you a tax-free allowance on foreign income under $108,7000, meaning you don’t have to pay taxes on it. And you can claim credit for housing abroad, moving expenses and dependent care. For foreign nationals, it’s a good idea to hire an accountant.

Swiss real estate

Few people own their own homes in Switzerland. This makes the rental market extremely competitive. If you plan to rent, start your search at least six months in advance using websites like RealEstate.com.au. Prepare for sticker shock. Rent is very high in Switzerland.

The Swiss government limits what properties foreign nationals can buy. As such, you’ll only be able to purchase a property in tourist and ski resort communities. That means you won’t be able to buy in cities like Zurich, Geneva or Bern. Not surprisingly, these properties are expensive. According to Expatica, the average cost is roughly $1,185 (USD) per square foot in tourist areas.

If you decide to purchase anyway, begin by shopping online or working with a local agency. (Working with an agent is the best option, especially if you don’t know the local language.) Once you find a property, you’ll have to sign a reservation contract and pay a small fee. Next, you will have to secure a mortgage. A Swiss notary will then help you get approval from the canton to complete the sale. Finally, you’ll have 30 days to sign the deed of sale.

When the sale is complete, you’ll need home insurance that covers fire, flooding and natural disasters.

How to move to Switzerland

Anyone planning to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days must apply for a long-stay visa. This visa is also known as a national or D-visa. You can apply for one at the Swiss embassy or consulate responsible for your state. After reviewing your application, the embassy will submit it to the canton where you want to move.

Once the canton approves your long-stay visa, you are free to move to Switzerland. You have 10 days from the day you enter to register at the immigration office in the canton you applied to. (Here are their websites and contact information.) If you don’t already have a job, you’ll need one to stay. Register with local labor market authorities and start looking immediately.

You can renew your long-stay visa. But you need to live in Switzerland for at least 10 years before you can apply for permanent residency. To become a Swiss citizen, you’ll need to show you are proficient in the local language. This could be German, French or Italian, depending on where you live. You will also need to pass an oral or written exam on Swiss culture, politics, geography and history.

What should you bring to Switzerland?

Less is more. The more you bring, the more expensive your move will be. And the more custom clearance forms you will have to fill out. American YouTuber Sarah Nourse recommends downsizing to only a few suitcases. These should contain important documents (including certified copies) and only enough clothes to get you through the current season. You should also pack medications, your laptop and similar electronics. Don’t bring non-dual voltage electronics, though. These are not compatible with Swiss outlets.

Switzerland prohibits some items. For example, you can’t bring snacks made from animal products, like cheese. You also can’t bring flammable materials like aerosol sprays. And you can only bring firearms and ammunition after obtaining a special permit. While you can bring alcohol, there is a limit. You can only bring 12 liters of spirits containing more than 25 percent alcohol.

Whatever you decide to bring, you can import it duty-free as long as you’ve used it for at least six months. If an item looks new, regardless of its age, make sure you have a receipt to prove it isn’t new. You can bring your items in multiple shipments duty-free as long as you declare them in your initial shipment.

The cost of moving to Switzerland

How much it will cost you to move to Switzerland depends on how much you bring with you. If you can condense everything into a few suitcases, it can cost as little as a few hundred dollars. (But you will have the expense of furnishing your new home and replacing the items you left behind.) Shipping your items by sea or air freight will cost much more.

Of the two, sea freight costs less. Shipping by air is quicker. Whichever method you choose, most international moving companies will deliver a shipping container to your door. You have the option of filling the entire container or half of it. If you ship by air, there may be a limit on the weight of your items.

According to Allied, the average cost of a move from the U.S. to Switzerland is $3,450 (USD). Besides how much ship, Allied states the types of items you ship and the move’s distance impact its cost. Whether you have the company pack or unpack your items also adds to the final bill.

How to move your pets to Switzerland

You can bring most pets into the country. Dogs and cats need to have current rabies vaccinations unless from rabies-free countries. If you own a dog, you must take him or her to a Swiss vet within 10 days of arriving. You also need to have them microchipped and registered. Note that you will need a husbandry permit for exotic pets.

There are strict laws about how you treat your pets once they are here. For example, Swiss law requires each cat to have its own litter box and access to a scratching post. You also cannot declaw your cat in Switzerland. If you own a dog, you cannot leave him or her alone for more than four hours. And the government encourages you to arrange playtime with other dogs. Other social animals like birds, rabbits and gerbils must have a companion of the same species to keep them company.

Also worth noting, it isn’t cheap to own a pet in Switzerland. Pet food and products are expensive. And if you own a dog, you’ll have to pay an annual dog ownership tax. This can be as much as $155 (USD). Dog owners also need to carry personal liability insurance.

How to move your car to Switzerland

Unless your car has sentimental value, it may not be worth it to move your car to Switzerland. Not only is it expensive to move but it may be difficult to find mechanics able to work on an American car. Also, your navigation system may not work here, and making it compatible can be expensive. You may have to pay to have your car modified to meet Swiss road standards, too. And you’ll pay up to $100 to register your car and an annual auto tax based on its weight.

Plus, Switzerland has an excellent public transportation system. Buses and trains are affordable, clean and always on time. So, you really shouldn’t need a car unless you live in a small village.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 (USD) if you do choose to ship your car from the U.S. to Switzerland. Your actual costs will depend on where you’re shipping your car from and where you’re shipping it to. Like any other item, it is subject to customs duties, calculated at 4 percent of the current value. You can avoid this if you have owned your car for more than six months.

More to consider

• Sundays are family days. Most stores and restaurants are closed, and many noisy activities, such as mowing the lawn, are prohibited by law.
• The country’s healthcare is not free. Within three months of moving to Switzerland, you must purchase private health insurance.
• Garbage is taxed. You must dispose of your trash in prepaid “taxed” bags available at the store. (You’ll have to ask for them.) This is meant to encourage recycling.
• You can drive in Switzerland with your American driver’s license for up to one year. At that point, you will need to pass a driving test and exchange your American license for a Swiss one.
• Switzerland levies an annual radio/TV tax called Serafe. This mandatory tax costs each household CHF 365 ($380 USD).

Ready to move to Switzerland?

Moving to Switzerland from the U.S. has its challenges, but it doesn’t have to be overly stressful. Moving.com has a network of reputable and reliable international movers to help you ship your belongings to Switzerland. Since all the moving companies in our network are licensed and insured, you can rest assured your move is in good hands. Plus, our moving abroad checklist will help you make sure you get everything done on time and with ease. Good luck and happy moving!