Features of life in Switzerland in 2021: pros and cons

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Switzerland?

For many people, Switzerland is a symbol of prosperity and wealth, a kind of magical country from a fairy tale. This is partly true if you evaluate it from the point of view of a simple tourist. But it’s one thing when you go to admire the beauty, and another thing if you’re going to move here for permanent residence. This is where the fun begins for potential immigrants.

First of all, you need to clearly understand the pros and cons of living in Switzerland. So, the advantages:

• The standard of living is one of the highest in the world.
• Picturesque nature: mountains, alpine meadows, lakes and other beauties.
• High level of economic development.
• Strict compliance with laws.
• High paying job.
• Low unemployment rate.
• A high level of development of medicine, which is considered one of the best in the world.
• Virtual absence of crime, high level of security.
• Perfect cleanliness on the streets.
• Excellent quality accommodation.
• Excellent work of public transport.
• Great place to relax.
• The world's best chocolate, cheese and watches.
• Favorable geographical location.

There are also some disadvantages:

• Very high prices for absolutely everything.
• Certain difficulties for immigrants in finding work.
• Language problems (the country is multilingual).
• The process of adaptation to Swiss reality is not easy.
• Expensive housing and difficulties in finding an apartment or house.
• It's hard to find local friends.
• Sometimes there are manifestations of some kind of racism against foreigners.
• High quality service is not always provided, especially in cafes and restaurants.

What nationalities live in Switzerland

This country is interesting in many ways. One of them is its national composition. The majority of the population here are Swiss Germans, French, and Italians. Each of them has their own compact place of residence (canton). So, in the center and in the east, mainly Germans live, in the south - Italians, in the west - the French.

If we talk about how many people live in Switzerland, then, according to the latest data, these are 8,478,215 citizens. Population growth occurs due to internal reserves, since the birth rate constantly exceeds the death rate. In percentage terms, the number of men and women is almost the same.

Which area of ​​Switzerland should you choose?

Everyone who is planning to immigrate to this country is concerned about the question of where is the best place to live in Switzerland: should you give preference to large cities or settle in the provinces? The answers to these questions are determined, first of all, by the economic component. For example, living in the western cantons will be much more expensive than in the German part of the state.

The most expensive cantons to live in: Basel and Geneva

In financial terms, the canton of Uri would be an ideal option - it has the lowest taxes, relatively inexpensive transport, and a relatively small amount is spent on various insurances. The worst place in terms of taxes is Neuchâtel, and the best is Zug.

Cheap cantons to live in:

1. Uri.
2. Glarus.
3. Obwalden.
4. Thurgau.
5. Appenzell-Innerrhoden.

But from other points of view, Zurich or Geneva will look much more attractive.

Life in Zurich and Geneva

The city of Zurich, consisting of 12 districts, is to some extent considered youthful due to the large number of students (there are 20 universities in the city). There is so much to see, do and do.

Surely many are interested in finding out where is the best place to live in Zurich. So, if you are a wealthy person, you can afford to live in the city center or near the lake. As a budget option, the areas of Affolten or Efritikon, where housing prices are the most affordable, are suitable.

Another Swiss city that is of great interest is Geneva. Among its advantages, it is worth noting various attractions (for example, the old city and, of course, Lake Geneva), an abundance of beautiful parks, developed infrastructure, convenient public transport and much more. But keep in mind: prices for everything here are the highest in the country. Therefore, living in Geneva is not a cheap pleasure, and you need to be prepared for this.

As for housing, the ultimate dream is to acquire real estate on the coast of Lake Geneva, but not everyone can afford such a purchase, and the demand is incredibly high. However, the suburbs of Geneva are no less popular among the elite.

But ordinary people should pay attention either to residential areas or to small towns located near Geneva, such as Collonges, Cologny, Champel, Bellerive.

Features of the procedure for obtaining refugee status in Switzerland

The first step to obtain refugee status in this country is to apply for political asylum. It is served at the border, at the airport or already on Swiss territory. Then, regardless of where the application is submitted, it is necessary to undergo tests for HIV and other infectious diseases and wait for a response to the application in a special center for refugees.

How to act correctly when submitting an application at the border

In accordance with Swiss law, permission to cross the border can be granted to foreigners who do not necessarily comply with the legal requirements for entering the country, do not have a visa or a full set of necessary documents, but have a reasonable need for entry. Such a basis may be a real risk of being discriminated against on racial, gender or other grounds in the country from which the asylum seeker is emigrating. The possibility is also taken into account that the legislation of the state from whose territory the refugee enters Switzerland allows him to be extradited to a third country where he may be subjected to ill-treatment.

However, Switzerland is surrounded by such neighbors (France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Liechtenstein) that it is extremely problematic to prove any danger of staying on their territory. And this creates additional difficulties when justifying the desire to obtain asylum in Switzerland.

Of course, everything depends on the argumentation that the person asking for help provides. The more convincing it seems to the receiving party, the more chances the forced migrant has for a positive consideration of his case.

But even if the refugee fully proves that in his homeland he and his loved ones can expect immediate merciless reprisals, he will still have to justify why Switzerland should be involved in protecting his life, and not, for example, Austria, from whose territory he's trying to move in.

The procedure for submitting an application involves interviewing the person entering the country by the country's border service. Based on the results of the conversation, the latter write a conclusion, which is sent to the Federal Service for Refugees. The legislation does not provide for specific deadlines for consideration of a request, but in practice the case is not postponed and is resolved within about two weeks. Most often, the application for asylum is refused. The refusal stipulates formal legal ways to challenge it, but de facto it is almost impossible to change the decision.

Features of filing an application at the airport

The situation at the airport is not fundamentally different from crossing a land border. After the interview, the refugee is issued a so-called temporary refusal to enter. After this, the asylum seeker is transferred to a special room located in the transit zone. Kloten Airport near Zurich and Geneva International Airport have such a facility, but some Swiss airports may not.

Next, the potential immigrant awaits a decision from the Federal Service for Refugees. All this time he moves freely within the transit zone and eats at public expense. He can be visited by representatives of various social organizations who provide him with one or another, most often legal, assistance.

The fact that the plane on its way to Switzerland landed in a third country that is considered completely safe, for example in Poland, can turn the situation not in favor of the asylum seeker. Then the refugee will be asked a question fatal to his interests: why didn’t he ask for asylum in this country? In addition, among his documents there may be a visa to another safe country, for example Spain.

Thus, refusal of entry into Switzerland would not expose the asylum seeker to the risk of ill-treatment. The refugee will be able to proceed to another country, which the Swiss authorities will legally entrust with the responsibility for granting the forced migrant official status.

What are the characteristics of filing an application while officially staying in Switzerland?

Let's consider a case where a person wishing to submit an application has all the permits and has independently entered Swiss territory. This option is much more realistic in terms of hopes for a positive outcome, and therefore is most often chosen by people applying for immigrant status.

In this case, the refugee should go to one of the Federal Registration Centers. There are 4 of them in total and they are located in Geneva, Basel, as well as the small towns of Kreuzlingen (canton of Thurgau, German Switzerland) and Chiasso (canton of Ticino, near the border with Italy), that is, in all 4 directions of possible entry into the country.

Anyone who seeks help should be prepared for the fact that, along with the survey, he will have to go through a number of formal procedures: fingerprinting, photographing from four angles, and so on.

As for the survey, as a rule, the center’s employees may be interested in the reasons that pushed a person onto the path of emigration, as well as how he got to Switzerland and whether he has already asked for asylum somewhere. However, given the delicacy of the situation (an application for asylum is, in essence, a request for mercy), only the refugee’s involvement in criminal crimes being investigated in Switzerland will be verified; the veracity of all other information is on his conscience.

If, as a result of the interview, no grounds have been discovered for granting asylum to the applicant, officials of the Federal Service for Refugees may not go deeper into the question and within 20 working days respond with a refusal without the right to further consideration. The person can then be expelled from Switzerland within 24 hours.

If the first barrier is passed - and the chances of such an outcome increase if a person is sufficiently prepared to properly substantiate his claims - the refugee is sent to the canton, where more detailed interviews are conducted with him.

What are the nuances of filing an application for illegal entry into the country?

In the event of illegal entry into the country, which is quite easy to accomplish given the transparency of borders within the European Union, the person de facto becomes subject to the legal responsibility of the Swiss state. With this option, a person who has illegally entered the country applies to one of the Federal Registration Centers, and the procedure follows the same scenario as for legally entered citizens.

If the offender was caught by the police while illegally crossing the border, he is handed over to the authorities of the state from whose territory he tried to enter Switzerland. At the same time, the Swiss state does not formally deny the unfortunate immigrant its care, granting the right to apply to the embassy or consulate of the Swiss Confederation in the country to which he was deported. However, the chances of this kind of appeal are almost zero.

Process of consideration of the application in the canton

A person is sent to a cantonal refugee shelter after he has successfully passed the first stage of verification at the Federal Registration Center. The refugee must undergo a second and more detailed interview with a police officer within 20 working days. In this case, again, a lot is based on trust in the words of the person seeking help, so mastery of rhetoric can come in handy.

However, if a potential immigrant has any documents confirming the veracity of his story, this is only welcome and increases the chances of a positive consideration of the application.

In addition to the police officer, a representative of a social organization involved in helping refugees may be present at the interviews. However, his role is insignificant; in fact, he only monitors the correctness of the survey procedure. Although this will not be out of place, given the meticulousness with which in-depth interviews are conducted in Switzerland compared to many other EU countries. Based on the results of the survey, a final decision can be expected.

In total, it takes an average of 4 months to consider the application in the canton.

But if a refugee defends his position, challenging each negative decision with various types of appeals, his case may drag on for several years, but even in this case there are no guarantees of a positive outcome.

A little about the life of refugees in Switzerland

Registration centers perform a kind of filtration function and are not intended for long-term residence. As for specialized shelters in the cantons, a refugee can live there for quite a long time while awaiting the consideration of his case. But often, even if he receives the long-awaited official status, he can stay there indefinitely. In fact, refugee status only guarantees political protection, but what about social and economic protection? What can you do, the authorities are in no hurry to extend a helping hand to a forced migrant, but they never leave a person who has already been given shelter completely without support.

A state of complete uncertainty and agonizing waiting leaves its mark on the entire life of a refugee in a canton in Switzerland. Families are never separated, sending them to one center, but the national and religious composition is completely ignored. Refugees from different countries of the world live together in such centers; they are united only by common poverty and the presence of internal security threats.

The shelter is usually located in the building of a former sports or entertainment center with large halls. There are bunk beds along the walls and a TV. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a large hostel in metropolitan cities. The refugees themselves clean the premises.

The local Protestant church usually does not remain aloof from the problems of forced migrants. Every week, refugees are invited to conversations and, as a rule, try not to miss them, trying to quickly integrate into the conservative and not very friendly to strangers Swiss society (even G. Hesse in “Peter Kamenzind” compared the rural Swiss with high-mountain pines, calling them harsh, strict and intractable).

In addition, the church occasionally provides potential immigrants with the opportunity to earn extra money as laborers. In addition, students from local schools are brought to see the difficult everyday life of people seeking shelter, for whom special excursions to refugee centers are organized.

Standard of living and prices in Switzerland

For a long time, the standard of living in this country has remained very high, and this despite the fact that everything here is terribly expensive, from food to any service. In terms of net income per person, Switzerland is second only to Luxembourg and Norway in Europe.

Many people would like to know why Switzerland has a high standard of living. But no one will give you a definite answer, since this became possible thanks to various factors, among which we should highlight the country’s dynamically developing, structurally diversified economy, high GDP, incredibly low unemployment, high wages, expansion of existing industries and the creation of new jobs, lack corruption, an excellent education system that allows you to get a well-paid job in the future, etc.

Another factor allowing the country to develop successfully is the attraction of migrants of exceptionally high qualifications.

They will not sit on the state’s neck, receiving unemployment benefits, and will not compete with local residents, but will bring serious benefits to the country.

Today, the standard of living in Switzerland is very high compared to Russia and other CIS countries. And it will not be possible to close this gap for a long time, if at all possible.

What are the prices in Switzerland

We have already mentioned that prices in this country are very high, and this applies to almost all areas of life. In particular, Switzerland has the most expensive products in Europe, and visiting a restaurant will cost you a pretty penny.

As for clothing prices, they are practically no different compared to other European countries. At the same time, the cost of goods remains almost unchanged and is stable. You can buy clothes or shoes at a discount of up to 75% during seasonal sales.

It should be clarified that prices in different cities differ significantly, and the difference between Zug and Geneva can be quite noticeable.

Below we provide average data to give you an idea of ​​how much it costs to live in Switzerland in 2019:

This is not a complete list. So draw your own conclusions about how much it will cost you to live in this wonderful country for a month.

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Each minor child is required to pay a minimum of 100 francs in health insurance premiums per month. So, a family with two children can easily pay compulsory medical insurance contributions alone in the amount of up to 1000 francs (60 thousand rubles) per month. But that's not all - there are countless insurance policies available in Switzerland. Unlike many Swiss, our Pierre-Luigi Müller did not insure himself against everything in the world, being content with little, namely civil liability insurance (mandatory in some cases, for example, doctors are required to have such insurance) and vehicle insurance. This will cost another 100 francs per month.

Finally, among the fixed costs are the costs of telecommunications - we are talking about payments for radio and television, for connecting to the Internet, as well as for a mobile phone and for paid TV program packages. All this eats up at least 150-200 francs (9,000 - 12,000 rubles) per month.

Medical service

Medicine in Switzerland is one of the best not only in Europe, but also in the world. At the same time, you will not find free service - any medical care can be provided only on a paid basis, and this pleasure is expensive even for local residents, not to mention foreigners. For example, a consultation with a doctor will cost on average about 150 Swiss francs or 137 €.

The country's healthcare system can be considered unique, because it has managed to combine compulsory state insurance and a market approach to the provision of medical services.

Citizens can obtain a compulsory insurance policy from 130 insurance companies. But voluntary health insurance is not provided in Switzerland.

Insurance, rent, taxes

So, the average salary of Pierre-Luigi Muller is 6,250 francs , but at the end of the month in his bank account in the “income” column he will see a much smaller amount. The fact is that monthly interest is deducted from his salary, which goes towards the state pension insurance for old age and survivors (AHV, the so-called “first pillar”), for unemployment insurance and industrial accident insurance, as well as a certain share of his income is transferred to the budget of his personal pension fund (the so-called “second pillar”. Read about how the Swiss pension system works here ). Social contributions will amount to approximately 550 francs. 5,700 francs to Pier Luigi Müller’s account

From this amount he will further have to pay income tax. Unlike many other countries - for example neighboring Germany or Italy, as well as Russia - taxes in Switzerland are not automatically deducted from wages. In our case, with a salary of 6,250 francs, Pierre-Luigi will have to immediately take into account that the amount of tax for him will be on average 850 francs per month . This is done specifically so that a Swiss citizen feels like a real taxpayer, because it’s one thing when you pay taxes yourself, it’s another thing if everything happens automatically in an unknown place. It is also necessary to clearly understand that the personal income tax rate can vary greatly depending on the canton, sometimes even depending on the community.

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Now you need to think about the “utilities”: renting an apartment, paying for electricity, heating, water, garbage collection and much more. The rent for a small apartment in a not-so-new building can probably start at 1,250 francs or 75,000 rubles . The cost of housing can easily increase by 500 francs if the apartment is a little larger, if there is a balcony and an elevator. And in cities such as Zurich, Bern or Geneva, an apartment of 3 1/2 rooms (two bedrooms, living room, kitchen) can cost 2,000 or more francs per month. You can read about how to look for an apartment and organize a move in our special material.

Ecology

Experts who conducted a study based on 25 indicators named Switzerland the cleanest country. Indicators of water quality, public health and forest condition turned out to be ideal, since pesticides and other fertilizers are used here in minimal quantities.

Clean air, mountains and plenty of greenery have a significant impact on life expectancy in Switzerland. One important area that allows this alpine country to remain the greenest is a serious attitude towards recycling and waste disposal.

About the average salary in Switzerland

The level of Swiss salaries is rightfully considered the highest in the world in 2021. But keep in mind that you will have to work conscientiously, earning such fees in full. The work intensity here is high.

The average salary depends on many factors, so it is not possible to name a specific amount. According to available data, after all deductions in euro terms, this figure is about 6257 per month.

The duration of work is strictly limited by labor legislation. Thus, the working week in Switzerland cannot exceed 45 hours. Overtime work is permitted, but is paid at the rate of 125% of the established salary or by providing rest in the same hourly equivalent.

As for how long a working day lasts in Switzerland, according to labor law, the maximum length of a working day cannot exceed 14 hours. More specifically, working hours are determined by collective agreement or on an individual basis.

It is impossible not to note the role of national culture in Swiss management.

Since the Swiss are very punctual, being late is considered a bad attitude towards work. In Switzerland, there is such a thing as a flexible work schedule, when an employee has the right to independently set the beginning and end of the working day, but at the same time always performs job duties in full.

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In the end, you need to think about yourself - what to eat, what to wear, where to go for fun. And here bad news awaits us again: shopping in a Swiss supermarket is a much more expensive pleasure than in Germany, France or Italy, because the price of, say, meat in Switzerland is 152% higher than in the EU, and clothing is 34% more expensive. . One movie ticket to “The Dark Tower” based on Stephen King will cost you 18 francs, or 1,080 rubles . For comparison, the same ticket to a Moscow cinema, depending on its level and show time, will cost an average of 500 - 1000 rubles (8.3-16.6 francs). 430 rubles in the Moscow bookstore on Tverskaya , the same book in the Berne bookstore “Orell Füssli” will cost 894 rubles, or 14.90 Swiss francs. francs _

Pension provision

The Swiss retire quite late: men at 65 and women at 64. Considering the average life expectancy, these figures are quite acceptable. The state does not give its pensioners any benefits, but it provides them with a decent life during their well-deserved retirement. Therefore, elderly Swiss can not only pay for housing, medicines, groceries, but also travel around the world.

In a word, local pensioners do not deny themselves anything and live for their own pleasure. This is the answer for those who are interested in how ordinary people live in Switzerland.

As for specific figures, pensions can range from 8 thousand Swiss francs (7,333 €) to 48 thousand (44,000 €). Moreover, the Swiss government often revises their size depending on the price level.

Reviews from Russians who have moved

Marina

My husband has a business in Russia. Therefore, we decided to invest in housing in Switzerland. We bought ourselves a small apartment. Now we live here. I really like the way of life here. Everything here is really simple and correct, I don’t want to leave for Russia.

Anna

I really like living in Switzerland, despite the fact that, unfortunately, it’s really expensive here. However, despite all this, I can say that I really like it here. Children too.

Olga

My parents decided to fork out the cash and send me to study in Switzerland. What can I say, I really like everything. Despite the fact that it is expensive here, and sometimes I have to deny myself many things, despite the fact that in Russia I did not need anything, I do not regret it. I know that soon in the future I will have a profession here, I will stay here to live. And perhaps, as a sign of gratitude, I will move my parents here too.

Switzerland is a unique country for those people who really want to stay here for a long time. Therefore, we wish you to understand the nuances of the move, and as soon as you understand how to do this, immediately pack your bags to immigrate to Switzerland from Russia.

Features of the tax system

The Swiss tax system may seem very confusing when you first meet it, but if you look into everything carefully, you will find that not everything is so scary. Many citizens want to open their own business here, since taxes here are among the lowest and most profitable in Europe.

The Swiss tax system is divided into:

• federal – absolutely all citizens pay taxes here;
• municipal - all tax revenues go to the city budget;
• cantonal - all citizens pay, the amount of taxes is set by each canton separately.

As a result, it turns out that all tax fees will cost you 25%, and this is a very attractive figure not only for citizens, but also for legal entities.

Benefits for tax payers:

1. some citizens pay only one type of taxes, and a small one at that;
2. banks do not disclose information about taxpayers;
3. it is possible to take advantage of tax holidays or lower the tax rate for up to 10 years;
4. tax incentives may apply at the cantonal level;
5. the opportunity to take advantage of a one-time fixed tax payment;
6. optimization of taxation to reduce the tax burden.

Subtleties of the education system

Education in Switzerland is of a high level and is very prestigious. This is facilitated by the high standards embedded in the education system, which allow students to receive deep and high-quality knowledge. Moreover, education is available to everyone, regardless of what segment of the population you belong to.

One of the significant advantages of the Swiss education system is the optimal methodology for conducting the educational process.

The entire education system is divided into the following levels:

• preschool – children from 4 to 6 years old attend kindergartens and prepare for school;
• primary school - from 6 to 12 years;
• high school - from 12 to 18 years old;
• higher education – university, technical and evening colleges.

In colleges the duration of study is 3.5-4 years, in universities – 4-6 years.

Local traditions and cultural characteristics

The cultural component of this country is extremely colorful. Of course, because many people of different nationalities live here, each of which in one way or another contributed to the development and formation of the culture and traditions of this state.

A lot can be said about how the Swiss know how to have fun and celebrate various holidays, not only generally accepted ones, but also their own, unlike any others. For example, Switzerland has its own traditions and customs for the New Year: this holiday is celebrated here in the family circle at laid tables, but without gifts. But the Christmas celebration is on a grand scale – fun literally flows like a river. Along with this, there is a rather wild tradition: in Switzerland they eat cats for Christmas. True, only 3% of citizens do this, but still. The issue of banning such a custom is now being actively discussed.

The Swiss know how to not only have fun, but also devote time to reading books, visiting libraries for this purpose. There are two large libraries in the country - the National and the Literary Archive. So the culture and traditions of Switzerland are also libraries.

About real estate in the country

Real estate in Switzerland is quite expensive, both for purchase and for rent. Nevertheless, many people want to acquire their own housing here. If you have such an opportunity, then you will not only receive a lot of advantages, but also invest your money profitably. However, the availability of finance does not at all guarantee that you will be able to purchase housing in Switzerland, since the demand far exceeds the available supply. Therefore, the country has restrictions on the purchase of real estate by foreigners.

An important feature of the real estate market is its price stability: there are no sharp jumps here. The cost of housing directly depends on the city in which it is located, as well as on the canton. Resort real estate is in greatest demand among CIS citizens.

As for renting housing, you can rent not only an apartment, but also a villa, country house or chalet. The only question is the price. On average, it will cost you from 1340 €. There are no upper limits on rental prices. A typical rental of a three-room apartment in an average city in Switzerland will cost from 625 to 1160 €.

Jobs for immigrants: search

You can work in Switzerland only officially. To do this, a specialized work visa or patent is issued. It is important that in addition to various documents, you should confirm your level. In other cases, only part-time work is possible, which will allow you to earn money for minimal expenses.

Immigrants can get work in the following areas:

• Construction. The market for real estate and reconstruction of buildings and premises in Switzerland is developed at a high level. The small area of ​​the country does not mean that all the projects have been implemented here for a long time. Labor is always needed. It is important that it is the visitors who settle in the main places here.
• Service industries (doormen, maids, cleaning specialists, etc.).
• Agriculture. Difficult work that is seasonal. It is important that farmers often provide housing and a good salary to visitors.
• Beauty industry. An excellent opportunity for those who really know how to effectively apply their knowledge in this area. For example, the average salary of a hairdresser is 4,000 francs.
• Passenger transportation. Private services always welcome good drivers. It is better to have a European-style license; the car will be issued. The salary is low, the schedule is not always stable. Knowledge of the language is important.

For all proposed vacancies, employers set a number of requirements that must be met. A probationary period is possible, but only on the basis of official employment.

You can find a job on your own. The easiest way to do this is through the Internet or the media.

Today, labor tourism is developed, so specialized agencies are often opened in different countries that can help with obtaining permits and finding a suitable place. For their services, companies ask for about 20% of the salary.