An editorial briefing for executives, private families and mandated newcomers arriving in the canton of Zürich — prepared with the discretion and precision of three decades of Swiss relocation.
Relocation is a promise — the quiet stewardship of a life moved across borders, assembled anew, and delivered into Swiss order with precision and discretion. — The Welcome Service Mandate
This compendium is prepared for the benefit of newcomers arriving in the canton of Zürich. It assembles, in a single volume, the practical information a resident must hold close during the first months of Swiss life: the permits and paperwork, the housing market, the utilities, the schools, the banks, the roads, and the thousand small procedures that together constitute Swiss daily life. It is not a substitute for advice. It is the orientation that precedes it.
Seventeen chapters, one annexe, and one assumption — that Swiss administration rewards those who arrive prepared.
A confederation of twenty-six cantons, four languages and a discreet vocabulary of its own — the country you are entering is, above all, a quiet contract between precision and place.
The origin of Switzerland dates back to 1291, when three cantons — Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald — signed a charter aligning the newly-founded conglomerate against the Habsburg dynasty. Over the centuries, other cantons joined this alliance and, in 1848, they drew up a Constitution laying the foundations of the modern federal state. Switzerland today is made up of 26 cantons, each with its own cantonal laws and separate tribunals, overseen by a Federal Court of Justice which can overrule them.
All six cantons included in Central Switzerland are German-speaking, as are the neighbouring cantons of Zürich, Bern and others. Lucerne, at the lower end of its lake between the Alps and the Swiss midlands, was predestined to be a centre of commerce — like Zürich and Geneva. Foreign influence, particularly Italian, was strong through travelling merchants, and the accessibility of natural monuments made the region an important tourist destination.
Zürich began life as a Roman encampment called Turicum. Germanic tribes moved in by AD 400 and, in 1336, the prosperous town underwent a minor revolution as craftspeople and traders took power, expelling the nobles and creating the thirteen Zünfte — guilds — that long directed the city's fortunes. Many still exist today, emerging each year for the Sechseläuten festival.
In 1351, Zürich joined the Swiss Confederation, and in the early 16th century became a key player in the Reformation under Huldrych Zwingli. It grew rich on textiles and banking in the centuries that followed. Switzerland's neutrality through both world wars drew personalities from James Joyce to Vladimir Lenin; the countercultural Dada art movement was born in Zürich in the wake of WWI, and many Dadaist works remain on display in the Kunsthaus. Since the early 1990s, the city has shed its image as a dour town of Protestant bankers and morphed into one of Central Europe's most vibrant destinations.
Switzerland is situated in mid-western Europe, in the Alpine region. It is bordered by five foreign countries: France to the West, Germany to the North, Austria and Liechtenstein to the East, and Italy to the South. It is a small country — total area 41,284 km² — which includes a large green-belt area. The capital, Bern, lies in the German-speaking part of the country.
Switzerland counts over 8.4 million inhabitants, approximately 9.5% of whom reside in Central Switzerland. The city of Zürich itself has a population of around 400,000 residents; the canton of Zürich alone boasts almost 1.5 million.
Because of its central position, Switzerland's weather is influenced by the four main European air currents — from the Atlantic, the eastern continent, the northern sub-polar region, and the south Mediterranean. The climate is temperate on the Central Plateau; otherwise it varies from region to region.
For live conditions, consult www.meteosuisse.ch, dial #162, or any local daily newspaper.
Switzerland is quadrilingual: German (74%), French (21%), Italian (4%) and Rumantsch (1%). Zürich is situated in the German-speaking part; the common language is therefore German.
Zürich is both a tourist destination and a thriving economy. It is a leading global city with a vibrant financial centre. Many of Switzerland's research and development centres are concentrated here, but the most important sector is services: about 330,000 people work in Zürich, roughly 90% of them in services.
Most Swiss banks are headquartered in Zürich. The Swiss Stock Exchange — SIX Swiss Exchange — was established here in 1877. Zürich is also the world's largest gold-trading centre.
The Swiss are in majority Christian (72%). Zürich has been historically Protestant. Today, Roman Catholics represent 33.3% of the population; Protestants, 32.1%.
Law, order and lawful entry. A brief orientation to the Swiss police, the crime landscape, and the immigration process that precedes every Swiss résumé.
There is no uniformed federal police force — law and order is the responsibility of each canton. The Swiss are generally law-abiding. All police officers are armed, efficient and courteous.
Compared to other European countries, Switzerland has a low crime rate, although it has increased in the last decade. Violent crimes are relatively rare. Bicycle theft has risen; you are advised not to leave them unlocked.
For nationals of non-EU/EFTA countries, the Swiss immigration process is fairly complex and decentralised. Each Swiss canton has a certain amount of autonomy over immigration.
A work authorisation, visa and residence permit are required. Processing times vary by canton, but eight to twelve weeks is generally the average.
Bilateral agreements on the free movement of persons are in full force for most EU member states. Nationals still need to apply for Swiss work and residence permits, but the process is straightforward and not subject to quotas.
You will need your work permit when purchasing a car, opening a bank account, obtaining a driver's license or a mobile number.
Twelve districts, one vacancy rate under a percent, and a grammar of tenancy older than most European capitals.
The standard of living in Switzerland is high. However there is an acute shortage of affordable accommodation. The vacancy rate has fallen to 0.91% on average nationwide and 0.90% for Zürich alone. Housing accounts for around 25 to 30% of the average family budget.
In Zürich, the number of rooms in an apartment description includes the living room and bedroom.
Electricity is usually at each tenant's expense and is billed based on the consumed kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Electricity, gas, heat, water, fibre, cable and signal. Before you move in, Welcome Service coordinates every connection on your behalf.
Utilities include electricity, gas, heating and water. Before connecting your electrical appliances, check the voltage is 220 volts. Plugs may differ from your home country; buy adapters.
Swisscom is the main provider. Alternative providers (Salt, Sunrise, UPC) may also be available depending on address.
The main mobile operators are Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise. Normally the residence permit must be received before subscribing.
It is a legal requirement for all Swiss residents to pay the Serafe tax. You risk high fines — up to CHF 5,000 — if you choose not to. More at www.serafe.ch.
Civil liability. Home content. Car. Bicycle. Health. Pet. The Swiss cover every foreseeable eventuality in quiet detail.
Civil liability insurance is compulsory for all tenants. Home content insurance is often combined with civil liability and covers personal belongings against natural hazards.
All cars must be insured. If your car has Swiss registration plates, the insurance must also be Swiss.
Basic health insurance — Krankenversicherung — is compulsory for everyone who lives or works in Switzerland. Foreigners must obtain coverage within three months of arrival.
Importing, licensing, insuring, parking and — where sensible — sharing.
A car can be imported free of tax if you have owned it for at least six months before moving. Otherwise: 4% of value; 7.7% VAT; weight-based fees; CO₂ fees.
Your foreign driver's license is valid in Switzerland for 12 months following arrival. We strongly advise exchanging it immediately.
White zones allow parking for a defined maximum time. Blue zones require a disk Mon–Sat 08:00–19:00. Macaron residents’ pass: CHF 50/month.
Trains, trams, buses, ships and cable cars — a network that is punctual, frequent and clean.
Public transport in Switzerland is of excellent quality — no strikes, punctual, frequent and clean. Most services run from around 06:00 to 00:00.
The Swiss railway system is SBB. Trains are free for children up to 6, half-price up to 16.
Zürich Airport serves 185 destinations with approximately 750 flights per day and nearly 30 million passengers per year. IATA code: ZRH.
Hospitals of the highest order, doctors paired to your insurance contract, and the quiet expectation that you bring your records with you.
The canton of Zürich offers several clinics and one major hospital — USZ, Universitäts Spital Zürich. With basic insurance: communal ward; semi-private: two-bed ward; private: your own room.
Once the deductible is reached, insurance covers 90% of the cost. Invoices are sent directly to your home, payable within 30 days.
Public, private or bilingual — a system that is one of the country's major strengths.
All Swiss schools enjoy a very good reputation. Schooling is free of charge. Children must be 4 years old by July 31st to start school.
The Swiss franc, the opening of an account, and the QR-bill that replaced the old orange bulletin.
The Swiss currency is divided into francs and centimes.
Normal bank hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00/08:30 to 16:30/17:00.
One of the first tasks on arrival is to open a salary or personal bank account. Accounts can only be opened once you have a legal address, and must be opened in person.
La Poste — where banking and mailing coexist behind the same yellow counter.
Choose between fast (A-grade) and regular (B-grade) delivery. For valuable contents, use Registered (R) — delivered against signature only.
Every item sent from abroad is subject to customs duties and VAT. Gifts up to CHF 100 are duty-exempt.
Migros and Coop — never more than a block apart — and the quiet rhythm of Sundays closed.
Open Monday to Saturday. Morning opening 08:00–09:00; closing around 19:00. Late opening on Thursdays until 21:00.
Shops are closed on Sunday, but small local grocery stores remain open for a few hours.
The Züri-Sack, the green bin, the recycling centre — Switzerland is conscientious.
All waste disposed of in public bins must use special waste bags specific to each canton. One 35-litre bag costs CHF 2.90.
Every home should have a green or compost bin. Emptied once a week.
Swiss people are recyclers. Centres mapped at www.recycling-map.ch.
Once a move is complete and the children are settled, it is time to build a social network.
Dogs, cats, ferrets — microchipped, vaccinated and formally escorted.
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be correctly identified with a microchip (ISO 11784). If a dog is definitively imported, it must be taken to a veterinarian within the first 10 days.
The miscellany and the three offices you may reach at any hour of a Swiss working day.
Size conversions, measurement tables, public bank holidays, emergency telephone numbers and useful websites are tabulated in the Annexe.
Three offices. One mandate. Established 1990.
Migration offices. Electricity tables. Phone codes. Conversions. Emergency numbers.
Average annual kWh billed, depending on type of accommodation and number of persons.
| kWh / year | 60m² | 75m² | 90m² | 120m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No electrical stove | 1,100 | 1,350 | 1,650 | 2,050 |
| With stove | 1,300 | 1,650 | 2,100 | 2,700 |
| With washing / dryer | 1,550 | 2,000 | 2,550 | 3,300 |
| kWh / year | 60m² | 75m² | 90m² | 120m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No electrical stove | 2,100 | 3,350 | 4,650 | 6,050 |
| With stove | 2,300 | 3,650 | 5,100 | 6,700 |
| With washing / dryer | 2,550 | 4,000 | 5,550 | 7,300 |
| City | Code |
|---|---|
| Basel | 061 |
| Bern | 031 |
| Fribourg | 026 |
| Lausanne | 021 |
| Luzern | 041 |
| City | Code |
|---|---|
| Neuchâtel | 032 |
| Tessin | 091 |
| Valais | 027 |
| Zug | 041 |
| Zurich | 043 / 044 |