Moving from Germany to Switzerland
We support people from Germany and Austria when moving to Switzerland. We advise you in all important areas relating to your emigration, such as car import, removal goods or registration with the municipality. Emigrating to Switzerland brings with it specific questions - such as which deadlines you need to meet or which documents are required for entry and registration. This is exactly where we come in and make sure you don't forget anything.
Emigrate to Switzerland 🇨🇭
Ready for your new start in Switzerland? We know that moving abroad can bring some challenges, but don't worry - we're here to support you. Whether it's a rental deposit or opening a Swiss bank account, we'll help make your start in Switzerland as easy and relaxed as possible.
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Switzerland 🇨🇭
Switzerland is a favourite destination for Germans planning to move abroad. Switzerland offers a high quality of life, a stable economy and great scenery. If you are thinking about moving from Germany to Switzerland, there are many things to consider, such as registering with the municipality or opening a Swiss bank account. We will help you to master all the important steps involved in the move and give you valuable emigration tips.
The most important facts in brief: Emigrating to Switzerland
Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU). This means that you need a so-called Residence permit you need in order to live and work in Switzerland. There are different types of residence permits in Switzerland, depending on whether you want to work, study or retire here.
Switzerland has a different tax system to Germany 🇩🇪 It is advantageous to familiarise yourself with this in good time.
In Switzerland, the Health insurance the individual responsibility of each person. It is organised differently to the health insurance system in Germany.
You want to go to the Emigrate to Switzerland? We'll help you step by step. Register for an emigration consultation.
Emigrating to Switzerland - The most important topics
- Guide to emigration
- Supplementary dental insurance
- Emigrating to Switzerland
- Gross net payroll accounting Switzerland
- Rent a flat
- Relocation to Switzerland
- Transferring a car to Switzerland
- Swiss bank account
- Your property in Germany
- Mobile phone and Internet
- Tax system Switzerland
- Moving from Germany to Switzerland
- Equity portfolio in Germany
Budget calculator - How much will Switzerland cost me per month?
Emigrating to Switzerland: With our budget calculator, you can realistically estimate your monthly expenses in Switzerland. From rent to health insurance to taxes - the tool calculates your living costs and shows you your savings rate at the end. Ideal for preparing for your emigration to Switzerland.
How many cantons does Switzerland have?
Do you honestly know how many federal states Germany has? 🙂 In any case, Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, all of which enjoy a certain degree of autonomy. This independence forms the basis for the federalism that strongly characterises Switzerland. Each canton regulates certain aspects differently and has a so-called "capital". You can think of the cantons as little mini-states within the state, and it is worth familiarising yourself with their differences.
3 Linguistic regions of Switzerland
Once again, Switzerland is out of line here, as it is a multilingual country with three central language regions:
German-speaking Switzerland
German is spoken in most cantons here - "Schwiizerdütsch" to be precise, which differs enormously in terms of intonation and vocabulary depending on the region. If you, as a person from Germany, assume that you already understand Swiss German, you will probably quickly learn that this is not the case. But don't worry, you'll learn it quickly in everyday life. By the way: The dialects in Zurich and Basel are considered "easy to learn" for Germans.
French-speaking Switzerland
In the west, in cantons such as Geneva and Vaud, French is spoken.
Italian-speaking Switzerland
Italian is spoken in the canton of Ticino and some southern valleys.
The largest Swiss cities
Emigrating to Switzerland: Switzerland may be small in terms of area, but its cities have it all. Although its large metropolises are significantly smaller than the urban centres of Germany, they still have a lot to offer and don't have to hide when it comes to cultural offerings, gastronomy, etc. On the contrary. On the contrary. Here are the three largest cities in Switzerland:
1st Zurich - The "City on the Limmat" is the largest city in Switzerland and the country's economic centre. Zurich is known for its banks, insurance companies and high quality of life. And the high prices.
2. geneva - This city on Lake Geneva is not only home to many international organisations, but is also the centre of French-speaking Switzerland.
3rd Basel - Located directly on the border with Germany and France, Basel is known above all for its pharmaceutical industry and its outstanding art scene. Art Basel is an art event of international renown.
Famous hiking trails and sights
Switzerland is famous around the world for its mountains and hiking trails. So if you are an outdoor enthusiast, the following mountains and hiking trails should be part of your must-do programme:
1st Matterhorn - This characteristic mountain is perhaps Switzerland's most recognisable landmark. The Matterhorn near Zermatt has always captivated hikers and mountaineers alike (and more than a few people have paid the ultimate price trying to scale its peak, so consider its beauty from a safe distance).
2. the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau - This trio in the Bernese Alps offers breathtaking hiking trails and unforgettable views.
3rd Rigi - It is known as the "Queen of the Mountains" and offers numerous hiking trails and panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps. Ideal for a day hike!
In addition to its natural beauty, Switzerland also has an enormous amount to offer culturally. Here are some of the most famous sights.
1st Chapel Bridge and water tower in Lucerne - The charming city of Lucerne with its historic bridge and water tower is a must for culture vultures. Be prepared for lots of tourists. Lucerne is a popular destination for Asian tour groups.
2nd State Museum - The impressive building right next to Zurich's main railway station (tip: never say "züricher", but always "zürcher") offers an exciting insight into Swiss history.
3rd Chillon Castle - This castle on Lake Geneva is one of the most beautiful and most visited historical buildings in Switzerland. As soon as you stand in front of it, you'll know why.
Wage level Switzerland vs Germany
One of the main reasons why many Germans emigrate to Switzerland is the significantly higher salary level. On average, employees in Switzerland earn around 40 to 50 per cent more than in Germany, which (usually) compensates for the higher cost of living. However, regional differences can play a significant role here (wage levels sometimes differ significantly between cantons) and industry differences can also be decisive. What can be said: Salaries are particularly attractive in the areas of IT, finance and engineering.
Typically Swiss - you should know this
Below you will find some cultural peculiarities and pitfalls when emigrating to Switzerland. If you keep these aspects in mind, your life in Switzerland as a German will get off to a smoother start and you will avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
Swiss German
Emigrating to Switzerland: An important point is the language. If you have the feeling that people in Switzerland will speak to you in perfect High German before you move to Switzerland, we have to disappoint you. Swiss German" is the everyday language in this country. You may have heard the term "Chuchichäschtli" 😅 which means something like "kitchen cupboard" in German. That's just the tip of the iceberg, so be prepared to learn new vocabulary - and have fun in the process, after all, you want to gain a foothold in a new country like Switzerland and get on well with the Swiss. The quicker you understand Swiss German (nobody expects you to speak it), the more successful your emigration to Switzerland will be.
Incidentally, the Swiss often like to use the diminutive form, represented by the word ending -li. For example, "Kind" becomes "Chindli", which means "little child" in German.
Give the Swiss time
The Swiss are rightly regarded as friendly, but often also as reserved. They value their privacy. So don't be offended if your new neighbour doesn't immediately invite you to a coffee party (Kafichränzli). Give people a little time and sooner or later you are sure to make some great contacts.
The work culture is also somewhat different in Switzerland, where the principle of "work first, pleasure later" applies. Just like in Germany, precision, punctuality and initiative are valued.
Swiss cuisine 🥐
When it comes to the local cuisine, you will soon realise that there is more to Switzerland than just chocolate and cheese. Swiss cuisine is diverse and ranges from rösti and raclette to Zürcher Geschnetzeltem and Bündner Nusstorte. Be curious and try everything. And remember: if someone in Switzerland invites you to a fondue, it's not just a simple social evening with a melted cheese dish, but a kind of Swiss knighthood.
Be open and courteous - and not too direct or pushy - and you will find the people here to be warm and welcoming when you move to Switzerland.
Swiss government and neutrality 🇨🇭
Unlike in Germany, where there is a Federal Chancellor, Switzerland is governed by a seven-member Federal Council. Each Federal Councillor is responsible for a department (ministry) and together they form the Swiss government.
Switzerland is internationally recognised for its neutrality and is considered a mediator in international conflicts. This attitude also characterises the country's political system. Direct democracy plays an important role: citizens can influence political decisions through referendums and popular initiatives - a concept that many immigrants justifiably find fascinating.
👉 Get in touch for a free consultation: Contact
👉 Budget calculator - How much will Switzerland cost me? Budget calculator
👉 Ready to emigrate? Get the Switzerland checklist: Checklist
👉 You can find more topics relating to your emigration here: Topic overview
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: YouTube
Counselling team
Our advisory team and office staff specialise in emigrants from Germany and Austria, and we help people emigrate to Switzerland every day. If you would also like to emigrate to Switzerland, please get in touch using the contact form and get to know our team in Zurich - we look forward to hearing from you! 🤗
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Do you have any questions?
You want to emigrate to Switzerland? We are here for you. Our consultations are free of charge. You can reach us via the contact form or drop by for a coffee in Zurich.
