Finding housing in Switzerland can be a daunting task.

Therefore, we recommend that you pursue a temporary solution for the first few months, if you are a permanent employee, this will give you the opportunity to decide the area in which you would like to live.

But, if you're a temporary employee or a freelancer, you should consider whether you would like to maintain your life abroad or you would like to relocate to Switzerland permanently.

If you decide to transfer to this amazing country, there are different options for temporary living; from business apartments and flats to guest housing, and shared accommodation.

If you plan to stay in Switzerland longer than 3 months, purchasing real estate can be a great option and a fantastic financial investment.

Only 20% equity capital is required to purchase but Swiss authorities restrict the rights of some non-nationals to buy. Property is expensive but, the tax situation is favorable for people who own their own home.

Swiss online property portals include:

• Homegate
• Homelike
• Immostreet
• Immoscout24
• UMS

The rental market in Switzerland is very competitive but sub-letting is legal and commonplace. This is a great way to find temporary accommodation. and the best places to find sub-lets are within your network of colleagues, friends and acquaintances.

To compare the cost of renting across Switzerland (and worldwide) take a look at our online Cost of Living Calculator.

If you’re looking to work and live in Switzerland, you may need to secure a VISA, depending on your current country of residency, if you’re deemed as a specialist worker, or if you have Swiss family members but, regardless of these factors, you’ll ALWAYS need a residence permit if you stay in the country for more than three months.

The Swiss immigration authorities have tightened application practices, are placing closer scrutiny on applications, and have increased the salary requirements. They’ve also implemented stricter extension rules.

The number of migrant VISAs approved each year is heavily controlled by the immigration authorities and in 2022, the quotas are:

• 4000 “L” short-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
• 4500 “B” long-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
• 3000 “L” short-term permits for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA;
• 500 “B” long-term permits for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA;
• 1400 “L” short-term permits for British nationals;
• 2100 “B” long-term permits for British nationals.

There is a dual system in place, with regards to the right to seek employment in Switzerland, depending on whether or not you’re an EU or an EFTA citizen.

Switzerland isn’t a member of the EU but it is part of the EFTA and, as a result, allows freedom of movement to anyone from EU/EFTA countries, looking to live and work in Switzerland, without obtaining a visa. These individuals can stay for three months whilst looking for work. If they secure a job, they’ll stay be able to stay for longer than three months but will need to secure a Swiss residence permit. Please be aware that the rules differ slightly for residents of Croatia.

Non-EU/EFTA nationals will need to obtain a Swiss work visa before traveling to Switzerland. You’ll need to secure a job offer from a Swiss employer, and meet additional requirements, such as being highly qualified, obtaining a high salary, and/or being responsible for other qualified/skilled personnel.

There are some exceptions to this rule for students and family members of C settlement permit holders. Students are permitted to work a certain number of hours whilst studying on a student visa. Certain relatives of Swiss residents can also work on their Swiss family visa.

Once you arrive in Switzerland, you must register with your local registration office within 14 days.

There are various residence permits available for application:

• B permit (residence permit)
• C permit (settlement permit))
• Ci permit (residence permit with gainful employment)
• G permit (cross-border commuter permit)
• L permit (short-stay permit)
• F permit (for temporarily admitted foreigners)
• N permit (for asylum seekers)

The short-term permit (L) is for a limited time and for a maximum of twelve months; this is a common form of residence permit in Switzerland for temporary workers and freelancers.

Registering with the authorities is crucial; what you need to provide, when registering, will differ depending on the municipal authority that you're registering with and the country that you originate from, but will include the following documents:

• A complete application for registration, duly completed, dated, and signed.
• A valid passport/documentation of identity
• Details about your employment
• Your family status (a family certificate or individual civil status certificate.)
• Rental agreements.
• Proof of basic health insurance.

When relocating it's very important to obtain the correct, recommended insurances. When moving to Switzerland, the essential insurances include; accident insurance, AHV: Old age and survivors’ insurance, orphan pension, disability insurance, basic health insurance, buildings liability insurance, housing insurance, as well as driving insurance (if applicable).

In Switzerland, everyone must have health insurance; you must have basic Swiss health insurance within the first three months of arrival. The insurance payment for essential and supplementary insurance for adults usually amounts to CHF 300-500 per month. Health insurance depends on any selected additional insurances you may choose as well as age, gender, place of residence, and the amount of the limited excess.

Contents insurance can be beneficial as it ensures you are able to compensate for any of your possessions that may be stolen from your property. Finding the right insurance providers can be difficult. Therefore, you want to make sure you select the right provider for you.

You'll need to bring your work permit and your employment contract when opening a bank account. To open a Swiss bank account, you must specify a permanent Swiss residence; in addition to this creating a savings account is also available.

When preparing to open an account, you will need to present documents proving your identity. However, there are a few restrictions when setting up a Swiss bank account, as you must be eighteen or older. The documents required to open an account may vary from bank to bank, but typically you must provide a passport, proof of residence, payslips, employee contract, or bank statements; as well as a letter explaining your financial status or provide extra documents such as a utility bill, Swiss visa status, tax returns, and housing contract. It is also possible to open a Swiss bank account online as a non-resident.

Traveling around in a new country can be daunting. Therefore, you will want to make sure that you are familiar with how public transport works, as well as road rules if you are planning to drive or ride a motorcycle.

If you wish to drive through Switzerland, you will need to drive on a foreign license for one year. After this period is over, you will then need to apply for a Swiss license which you can do at any local road traffic office. You will also need to acquire an eye test certificate, passport photos, a visa or proof of residency, ID, and your original license.

A toll road sticker is mandatory when using a motorway within Switzerland and must visibly be attached to the windscreen. It can be bought at every petrol station, post office, and garage and must be renewed yearly. Switzerland has a very good public infrastructure; trains, buses, and trains offer a comfortable and inexpensive alternative to driving. With a GA travelcard of the Swiss federal railway SBB, you can have unlimited travel on most SBB routes as well as private trains, buses, trams, and boats.

You can research the cost of travelling around Switzerland using our online calculator.

Education is a top priority, especially when moving to a new country. The public school system in Switzerland has a very high standard.

Universities are in the most important economic centers such as Zurich, Bern, Basel, St. Galle, Lucerne, Geneva., or Fribourg.

Children start school at six; primary education can last five to six years, depending on the canton. Children can also have the opportunity to go to kindergarten for one to two years. To harmonize school standards and increase young people's opportunities, the levels in some cantons have been renamed A, B, and C secondary levels. This allows students to attend different levels depending on their strengths in different subjects.

Public schools are free, and children are not required to wear uniforms. Children are required to attend school in Switzerland for a minimum of nine years, but many options are available for further studies. The new school year starts in mid-August or September; the exact dates vary slightly according to the canton rules. Typically, schools operate from around 8:30 am to 4 pm.