General Information about Switzerland
Entry into Switzerland
We are pleased that you are interested in information about entering Switzerland. Today, many specialized professionals in the construction industry are often only found abroad. With the agreement between Switzerland and the EU, access for workers from EU countries to the Swiss labor market is no longer a problem.
Foundation: 1291 (August 1st is National Day)
Capital: Bern
Population: approx. 8 million
Area: 41,285 km²
Regions: 26 Cantons
Languages: 4 official languages;
German: Eastern, Central, and Northwestern Switzerland
French: Western Switzerland
Italian: Ticino
Romansh: Only in certain valleys of the canton of Graubünden
Switzerland
You can enter your favorite destination in Switzerland using the following links.
Form of Government
Federal, direct democracy with a Federal Council (government with 7 ministers) and a Federal Assembly (Swiss parliament consisting of 200 National Councillors and 46 Councilors of States).
Switzerland and the EU
Switzerland is not an EU member, but it has agreements with most EU countries regarding the free movement of persons, which allow for professional mobility.
More information on the agreements with different countries can be found here:
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html
The EU and EFTA Member States can be found here
https://www.eda.admin.ch/dea/de/home/eu/europaeische-union/mitgliedstaaten-eu.html
Questions and Answers for "EU/EFTA Citizens"
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta/eu-efta_buerger_schweiz.html
Questions and Answers for "Non-EU/EFTA Citizens"
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/themen/arbeit/nicht-eu_efta-angehoerige.html
General Information for Workers from EU/Non-EU Countries
All information
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home.html
Key Economic Sectors
Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, machinery industries, and tourism. Banking and insurance sectors.
Switzerland is internationally recognized for its research and educational institutions and the many research facilities based here.
Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF), in the border regions, Euros are also accepted as a payment method.
Emergency Numbers
Police: 117, Fire Department: 118, Ambulance: 144, Information: 1818
Swiss Education System
In Switzerland, the organization of the education system at all levels is a task of the state. The responsibility for education is divided between the federal government, the cantons, and the municipalities, with the cantons having the primary responsibility. The Swiss education system is decentralized. There is no national ministry for education and upbringing. This decentralized organization takes into account the different cultures and languages in Switzerland. Nationwide, the school entry age, the beginning and duration of the school year, and the duration of compulsory education are uniformly regulated. Otherwise, each canton has its own school laws, and municipalities also have a relatively large degree of autonomy, allowing for locally adapted solutions.
Wages and Cost of Living
Switzerland is considered the country with the highest wages in the world.
There is no legally mandated minimum wage, but most industries have collective labor agreements that set the minimum wages for their respective professions.
Not only wages but also the cost of living in Switzerland are among the highest. The best impression can be made on-site or here
Salary Calculator
Do you want to know how much you might earn? The salary calculator of the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB) at www.lohnrechner.ch gives you a first estimate.
Accident Insurance
If you work (at least 8 hours per week), you are automatically accident-insured through your employer. Otherwise, you must also take out accident insurance yourself.
Taxes and Withholding Tax
Tax rates in Switzerland vary significantly between cantons for income and wealth taxes and are calculated annually with the help of a tax return filled out by the taxpayer. Foreign workers (except for residence permit C holders) are subject to withholding tax and do not need to file a tax return. Taxes are directly deducted from their salary.
You can calculate the current withholding tax rates here:
www.comparis.ch/quellensteuerrechner
Mobility
Public Transport
Switzerland has a well-developed network of public transport, providing optimal mobility even for those without a car or driver's license. In addition to monthly and annual subscriptions for regional transport services, regular train travelers can benefit from the Half-Fare Travelcard, which offers tickets for trams, buses, and trains at half price with options for 1 to 3-year periods.
For daily train commuters, the General Travelcard (GA) is recommended, offering unlimited travel on trams, buses, trains, and ships across the entire public transport network.
For more information on the prices of the Half-Fare and General Travelcards, please visit https://www.sbb.ch
Road Traffic
In Switzerland, traffic drives on the right. The maximum speed limit is 50 km/h within towns, 80 km/h outside towns, and 120 km/h on highways. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰, while new drivers and professional drivers have a zero-tolerance alcohol policy (<= 0.1‰).
A highway vignette is required to use the highways. It costs CHF 40 and is valid from December 1 to January 31 of the printed year.
School System
Do you have school-age children accompanying you?
The compulsory school period in Switzerland is nine years (lower and upper school levels).
Education in public schools is free of charge.
For assistance in finding a suitable preschool, primary, or secondary school, we recommend contacting the local municipality.
More information on the school system can be found here: www.edk.ch.
After compulsory schooling, students can either attend a higher secondary school (gymnasium) to qualify for university or a specialized higher education institution, or they can start a 3- to 4-year vocational apprenticeship.
Information on various vocational training options can be found here: www.berufsberatung.ch.
Permits
Registration Process
EU citizens can work in Switzerland for up to three months without a residence permit. Your recruitment consultant must register you with the cantonal migration office (IMES registration) before you begin your employment.
If you plan to stay longer in Switzerland, you must apply for one of the following residence permits at the municipality or the cantonal migration office. The following residence permits are available:
Cross-Border Commuter Permit (Permit G)
Condition: Cross-border commuters and weekly residents must return to their foreign main residence at least once a week.
Short-Term Residence Permit (Permit L)
Short-term residents are foreign nationals who stay temporarily, typically for up to one year, for a specific purpose, with or without employment, in Switzerland.
Residence Permit (Permit B)
Has a validity period of five years and is granted when the EU/EFTA citizen provides proof of a permanent or at least 365-day employment contract.
Settlement Permit (Permit C)
Granted only after five or ten years of residence in Switzerland.
Naturalization
Well-regarded foreign nationals who have integrated into Swiss society and are familiar with local conditions must generally have lived in Switzerland for 12 years before they can apply for naturalization. Years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 10 and 20 are counted twice.
Social Insurance
Pillar 1
Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AHV)
The Old Age and Survivors Insurance is Switzerland's pension system. It ensures financial security for basic needs. The old-age pension is available to women from the age of 64 and to men from the age of 65. There is also the option to begin receiving the pension before the respective age, subject to specific conditions, with a reduction in the amount. If the pension is taken later than planned, a bonus is granted.
Unemployment Insurance (ALV)
Unemployment insurance ensures income for individuals during periods without employment. To qualify, foreign nationals must have worked for at least 12 months during the past two years.
Non-Occupational Accident Insurance (NBU)
The employer covers occupational accident insurance for the employee, while the employee pays for non-occupational accident insurance.
Sick Leave Insurance (KTG)
The employer arranges sick leave insurance for the employee to ensure continued salary payments during illness.
Pillar 2
Occupational Pension Plan
Along with Pillar 1, the occupational pension plan helps employees and their dependents maintain their standard of living in the event of old age, disability, or death. Unlike Pillar 1, each insured individual in Pillar 2 has their own individual retirement capital, which is accumulated and interest-bearing.
Employees with support obligations for children are obligatorily insured from day one.
Employees with fixed-term contracts up to 3 months are not mandatory insured.
Insurance is obligatory starting from the 14th week of employment.
For employees under 25 years of age, lower contributions are set, covering only risks for disability and death.
Pillar 3
In the third pillar, voluntary and usually tax-advantaged private pension insurance supplements Pillars 1 and 2:
Tied Pension (3a)
Flexible Pension (3b)
If you would like to take out a voluntary 3rd pillar pension, BIMO-personal AG will be happy to assist you.