welcome to switzerland!

Nestled in the heart of South-Central Europe, Switzerland is a landlocked country defined by its mountainous terrain, bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein.

 

Helvetia, an appellation harking back to ancient times, remains relevant even today. The official Latin title of the nation is Confoederatio Helvetica (CH).

Switzerland holds the distinction of being the world's second-oldest federal state, following the United States of America. The nation comprises 26 regional entities referred to as cantons.

 

Encompassing an area of 41,285 square kilometers, the nation is just a touch smaller than the Netherlands and accommodates a population of just under 8.8 million individuals (as of 2022). The capital city is Berne, while Zurich claims the title of the largest city. The country boasts a linguistic diversity including German, French, Italian, and Rumantsch, traditionally spoken across different regions and cantons. According to the World Happiness Report 2021, the Swiss Confederation officially ranks as the third happiest nation on the planet, following the nordics Finland and Denmark.

 

If people think of Switzerland they most likely see banks, cows, cheese, chocolate and clocks, followed by mountains, meadows, Edelweiss and Heidi.

Practically the whole country is a holiday destination.

 

All newcomers must register with their municipality within 14 days of entering Switzerland and before their first day of work. In most cantons you must be present in person to register, it takes between 1 and 2 hours.

 

In order to issue your working permit you need to bring  documents such as: passport, work contract and confirmation of your Swiss residency. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a fee for the whole process.

You do not need to make an appointment at your local municipality. If you go early in the morning, the waiting hours are shorter. Don’t expect people in smaller municipal offices to speak english. You might want to bring someone to translate for you.

Contact your local commune/Gemeinde first to confirm the necessary documents before visiting for registration. 

 

In most cases, the following documents are requested:

1. Valid ID or passports for each family member
2. Birth certificates of children (if applicable)
3. Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)
4. If your documents are from a non-EU country, you'll likely need certified translations.
5. Your residential lease contract. You require proof of a local address for registration. This can be a temporary address that's valid until you receive the final residence/work permit. Changing addresses within the same canton is straightforward once permanent accommodation is confirmed. 
6. Work contract or confirmation of acceptance to higher education institutions
7. For non-EU/EFTA citizens: police record from your home country, work permit approval, or entry visa
8. Additional documents might be necessary depending on local authority requirements.

In certain cantons, the authorities might ask for immediate cash payment of fees during registration. In other cantons, you'll receive an invoice.

No residence permit required for employment up to 3 months or 90 days per calendar year. However, we as an employer must register the employment through the notification procedure for short-term work in Switzerland at least one day before employment is due to begin.

Short-term employment

• No residence permit required for employment up to 3 months or 90 days per calendar year.
  However, we as an employer must register the employment through the notification procedure for short-term work in Switzerland at least one day before employment is due to begin.

 

Employment longer than 3 months

• The employee must apply for a residence permit for a cross-border commuter permit before starting work. The employee must submit confirmation of employment from his/her employer (us) or the employment contract.
  The permit is valid throughout Switzerland and allows the employee to change his/her job or employer. Its period of validity depends on the length of your employment.

 

UK nationals

• Since 1 January 2021, UK nationals are no longer citizens of the EU and are therefore subject to the same rules that apply to third-country nationals, including quotas. If the employee is a UK national and already had residence rights in Switzerland before 2021, he/she benefits from special provisions under the agreement between Switzerland and the UK. You can find further information on the web page of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): Link SEM UK.

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

• Non-EU/EFTA nationals require a work permit, even for short-term employment. The number of permits issued is limited. Only qualified non-EU/EFTA nationals (specialists) may work in Switzerland.
  
  We as an employer must demonstrate that your employment is in the economic interests of Switzerland and that they are unable to recruit the necessary personnel in Switzerland or from an EU/EFTA member state.

The employee may not start work until the work permit has been issued

• By the cantonal immigration and employment market authorities.
  Depending on the nationality, the employee may also require a visa. On arrival in Switzerland, he/she must also register with the communal authorities in the place where he/she is living within 14 days. He/she cannot start work before then.

Foreign Employees: EU / EFTA

• Notification procedure. For up to 90 effective calendar days per calendar year. Notification at least one day before the start of work.

• B (Residence permit). Valid for 5 years, renewable. The permit must be applied for before starting work.

• C (Settlement permit), Unlimited. The permit must be applied for before starting work.

• L (Short-stay permit). For employment of less than 1 year. Duration of permit according to employment contract, renewable. The permit must be applied for before starting work.

• G (Cross-border commuter permit). Valid for 5 years, renewable. The permit must be applied for before starting work.

 

Foreign Employees: Non-EU/ EFTA

• B (Residence permit). Initially valid for one year, thereafter as a rule limited to two years and extendable indefinitely. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

• C (Settlement permit). Unlimited, granted after 10 years of residence but without legal entitlement. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

• L (Short-stay permit). For short-term employment. Duration of permit according to employment contract. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

• F (Temporarily admitted refugees). Valid for one year, renewable. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

• N (Asylum seekers). Limited to one year, renewable. In the case of asylum seekers who have been turned away, the permit expires after the deadline for leaving the country. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

• S (People in need of protection). Temporary. After five years limited cantonal residence permit. The permit must be issued before the start of work.

 

Online registration for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year

• As part of the registration process, foreign employees from EU/EFTA countries can engage in work within Switzerland for a maximum of 90 working days each calendar year without necessitating a work permit, nevertheless registration remains obligatory. This applies to EU/EFTA nationals locally employed, allowing them to work for up to 90 days annually, calculated per individual employee. The registration is done by Randstad.

The money used in Switzerland is called the Swiss Franc. You'll find coins (rappen/centimes/centesimi) in values like 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2, and 5 francs. The Swiss Franc is often shortened as CHF, but you might also see SFr. and Fr. 

Switzerland operates a well-established banking system. You can access current account services from prominent banks, the Post Office Bank, Cantonal Banks, and private banks. To learn more about opening a Swiss bank account, you can visit the websites of major Swiss banks, such as:

 

PostFinance

Swiss Raiffeisen

UBS

Kantonalbank

Each canton has its own cantonal bank.

 

Find more here.

● Public Transportation

Swiss public transport is very reliable, clean and safe. This is the case with trains, trams, buses and boats and when you buy a ticket, it is valid for all these methods of transport within the stated zones you pay for. You can get a variety of tickets and cards, from a city day pass to unlimited travel through Switzerland. Find more details about offers and options by going to the SBB Website or SBB App.

 

● Bikes

Switzerland is a very bike friendly country! Not only in the Cities you see a lot of people moving from A to Z by Bike. In the Mountains Mountain Bikes and Racing Bikes are not only a big sport but also the way to get around.

 

Having private health insurance in Switzerland is mandatory for all individuals that are registered. We highly encourage you to get insurance as soon as you arrive in the country. You have to conclude this within 3 months after your arrival in Switzerland and pay for it retrospectively from day 1. You can check the available packages here.

Household contents and private liability insurance is both popular in Switzerland, and recommended, although not obligatory. Besides that you can (or must) insure your vehicle, third party liability, accidents and more.

In some areas, the Swiss housing market poses challenges due to the scarcity of available homes. Property prices for both buying and renting tend to remain notably elevated, particularly within urban regions.

 

Websites to find rent opportunities:

● Homegate

● Immoscout24

● Home

● Urban Home

● Comparis

● WGZimmer (shared)

 

Furnished / Serviced - Apartments (also some in case you want to travel to other cities):

● Mynest

● Acasa Suites

● Lodgefinder

● Swiss-star

● Smart-apartments

● Hitrental

 

Sublease:

● Airbnb

● UMS

● Interhome

● Hometogo

● 9flats

 

Make sure that the person which will rent or sublet the place to you is able not only to provide you with confirmation from the landlord or official administrative person, but that you’re able to register that address as your own with the local authorities (Gemeinde). All flat or room rentals require a security deposit, that varies per landlord. Alternative security deposit for the household (not all landlords accept this, but most do, especially the large rental firms as opposed to private landlords) Swisscaution.

 

You can either get a prepaid or a contract phone. Here are some providers:

● Swisscom

● Salt

● Sunrise

● Lebara

● M-Budget Mobile

● Wingo

● Go Mo

Switzerland employs an intricate income tax framework that operates across three levels of governance: federal, cantonal (similar to state), and communal (similar to city). In many cantons, the bulk of the tax responsibility is attributed to the cantonal taxes.

How high your tax bill will be depends on how much you earn and where you live, among other things. You can use this link to calculate your taxes: General information

 

Tax at source deductions (Quellensteuer)

If you are not a Swiss citizen or a C permit (residence permit) holder or married to such, or a Swiss national residing abroad, you are obligated to pay tax at source. It will be deducted from your monthly income, managed by your employer.

Individuals, holding permit G, L, B, F & S as well as a 90 day permit are obliged to pay Tax at Source

 

Aspects which influence your source tax:

● Monthly income (detailed in the link above)

● Number of children

● Marital status

● (In case of having a partner) their working status

● Religion (church tax)

● Age

● Canton of Residency

 

Your consultant may ask you for proof from the tax office as to which rate needs to be used for you. 

Church tax

In Switzerland, religion is a cantonal matter. Individuals registered as church members here in Switzerland (you register as a church member or not during your application process for a permit) must pay a tax on their income that varies per religion. It should be noted that as of writing, only members of the Protestant or Catholic churches have such a tax. 

In case you have a dependent child, you have the right to child allowance compensation during your work stay in Switzerland. The amount for child allowance depends on the canton where your Randstad contract is issued. Here you have an overview of the amounts per canton.

The required documentation needs to be submitted to the local authorities by your employer.

Every canton has different public holidays, which you can find in this link.