7 reasons to move to Switzerland
Switzerland has long been considered one of the most desirable countries for expats, thanks to its delicious Lindt chocolate, sparkling lakes and breathtaking Swiss Alps. So what is it that draws everyone to Switzerland? Just because it’s the best? It is beautifully landscaped, has a low crime rate and is exceptionally clean. You will likely live much longer here as life expectancy is significantly higher than in other countries. It’s no surprise that many celebrities have moved here over the years, including Phil Collins, Shania Twain and Tina Turner. Here is a list of 7 reasons that will help you see why you should move to this beautiful country:
1. The healthcare system in Switzerland is administered at cantonal level:
You have to pay for your health care wherever you go, although costs can vary. Everyone has access to cheap health insurance, but individuals have to pay for it. PrimApp offers users the opportunity to compare health insurance offers online. German Italian, Frenchand English are the four languages available in the app. This may seem quite expensive, but it is quite reasonable compared to the US. Everyone is insured, regardless of their job, and many companies (especially in the big pharma business) offer their employees private health insurance. You can do it yourself, but it costs a lot of money, and most high-paying jobs already offer it as a benefit.
2. Amazing job opportunities
Switzerland has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and there is a great need for competent professionals. Key businesses include banking, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and construction. In addition, Switzerland is home to many of the world’s largest multinational companies, including Nestle, Zurich Insurance, Roche and Adecco. The United Nations and the International Red Cross are also based there. If you want to improve your chances of getting a job, learning the language of the canton in which you plan to live and work is a must. However, since many global corporations prefer English-speaking staff, this is not a must.
3. Higher standard of living:
Zurich is regularly ranked as one of the three best cities in the world to live in for a variety of reasons. Swiss cities, homes and food are all of the highest quality. The crime rate is relatively low, so it’s perfectly safe to wander around on your own at night. It’s strange as there are no beggars on the street and everyone around you seems to be wealthy. You can drink from any of the city’s public water fountains, and all public areas are kept spotlessly clean.
4. In the heart of Europe, with fantastic public transport and travel options:
Germany is an hour away from Zurich, while France and Italy are two hours away. Everything else is just a short flight away. The trains are all on schedule and the inner-city and inter-city transport is excellent. Any remote location can be localized and reached solely by public transport. Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it has signed the Schengen Agreement. Citizens of visa-exempt countries (such as India and China) can travel freely within the EU if they live or work in Switzerland.
5. Even during your studies, education is almost free:
Unlike the United States, where a bachelor’s degree can cost a mortgage and your parents have to save their entire lives, the best Swiss colleges only charge CHF 500 per semester, regardless of nationality. This applies to world-renowned universities such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, as well as to master’s courses.
6. Beautiful mountains and scenery / clean, smog-free air:
The Swiss are very concerned about the environment. Air conditioning is discouraged, if not forbidden. Even with 32 degrees Celsius in the summer, we were dependent on fans at home and at work. What a nightmare! But, hey, it’s better for the environment, and summer doesn’t last forever. Another good example is the Gotthard railway tunnel being built by the Swiss to reduce the number of trucks traveling between Switzerland and Italy.
7. Food / Chocolate:
The best Swiss chocolate (I’m looking at you, Lindt) isn’t available at airports anywhere in the world. You can eat Sprüngli in Switzerland, which, IIRC, has its flagship store on Paradeplatz in Zurich, right in front of Credit Suisse and UBS headquarters, and isn’t available anywhere else. There is also a decent range of Italian, French and German cuisine in Switzerland.
Disclaimer: This is a company release. No HT journalist is involved in the creation of this content.