Working in Switzerland represents one of the best options for Europeans looking to make a leap in their quality of life. Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world and the third highest GDP per capita in Europe in 2023.
Both its unemployment and inflation rates are particularly low in contrast to its high incomes and imports.
Moreover, according to the Alpine country’s laws, as a European you can benefit from the same working conditions as the locals.
The path will not be easy, but we recommend that you read on to find out how to work in Switzerland as a European. To help you get there, in this article we tell you everything you need to know, including:
- General facts about Switzerland
- Requirements for working in Switzerland
- Tips for finding a job in Switzerland
- What does a CV look like to find a job in Switzerland?
- Languages in Switzerland
- Salaries and cost of living in Switzerland
Now that you’ve made up your mind, let’s get to it!
General facts about Switzerland
Officially, the Swiss Confederation is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is an associate member of the Schengen area but not of the European Union (EU). Its currency is the Swiss franc, which is positioned between the US dollar and the euro.
If you already know what Switzerland is like and you just want to get a job you can click here.
It has 4 official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
The federal authorities are based in Bern, while the private sector is more developed in cities such as Zurich, Basel and Geneva.
Most jobs in Switzerland are in the tertiary sector, where the most important activities are in finance, insurance and transport, as well as consultancy.
It is considered one of the most culturally diverse European countries.
In Switzerland, foreigners make about 26% of the total resident population. This percentage has been increasing over the years as a result of vast immigration from other EU countries. The five main countries of origin of foreign immigrants are Germany, Italy, Portugal and France, whose citizens count, altogether, nearly half of all the foreign people in the country.
Swiss law allows foreign workers to have access to the same working conditions and wages as Swiss nationals.
Requirements for working in Switzerland
Due to mobility agreements between the EU and Switzerland, Europeans can seek employment and reside in Switzerland without a visa.
If after 3 months you have not been able to find a job, you will have to apply for a residence permit to look for work.
This will allow you to stay for another 3 months. You can even stay for up to 1 year, if you can prove that you are actively looking for a job.
Once you find a job, you must go to the Foreigners Police or Migration Office and apply for the corresponding residence permit:
- L” or short-term permit (violet): for stays of less than 1 year. The permit will have the duration of the work contract, the duration of the studies, etc. Can be renewed
- B” or residence permit (grey): for stays of 1 year or more. It has a duration of 5 years. Renewable for 5-year periods.
- C” or settlement permit (green): can be obtained by Spaniards who have been residing uninterruptedly in Switzerland for five years. It is indefinite, renewable every 5 years.
It is not compulsory to present a work contract, a job offer or a work certificate is sufficient.
How to open a bank account
It is important to know that in order to pay your bills, rent and receive your salary when you get a job, you need to have a Swiss bank account. To help you, I have found an article that explains how to open an account and which bank is best suited to your needs, offering you lower fees and greater facilities.
Click here to see it
Working in Switzerland as a European: formalities on arrival
When you arrive in Switzerland, there are several steps that we recommend you to take in order to be able to fully dedicate yourself to your job search. These include
1. Finding housing: you can find rental information on the website of the Federal Office for Housing, in the local press or on the websites of local councils. There are also private or agency advertising platforms such as:
2. Obtain a Swiss social security number or AHV/AHV: you can obtain this by taking out private insurance, which is also essential for any resident in Switzerland. The number will appear on the insurance card. If you are employed in Switzerland, the number will be given to you by your employer.
3. Open a bank account: this is the best way to manage your expenses. That is to say, to pay rent, make purchases, pay your salary or utility bills by direct debit. A Spanish bank account is not valid for these purposes in Switzerland.
Tips for finding a job in Switzerland
The first piece of advice we can give you when looking for a job in Switzerland as a European is to know which areas offer the best opportunities.
According to the government website, the service sector accounts for the majority of employees. Specifically, in the areas of commerce, finance and tourism.
Specifically, the most sought-after employees in Switzerland are:
- Skilled workers (electricians, welders, mechanics, plumbers, among others).
- Commercial
- Executives and managers
- Hotel and catering staff (waiters, cooks, waiter managers)
- Truck and bus drivers
- Administrative staff
- Engineers (civil, mechanical, chemical and electrical)
- Specialists (project managers, lawyers and researchers)
- Housekeepers and cleaners
- Accountants and financial analysts
Normally, vacancies are published in the languages of the place of employment or in all national languages, depending on the origin of the vacancy. Please note that French, German and Italian are commonly spoken in Switzerland.
This article has certainly helped you a lot, but I’m sure you still don’t know where you can find a job online without having to go to Switzerland. Well that’s why I have written this article that will help you to get a job easily as you have to do the same as I did to get a job, click here to find out how.
