Switzerland Archives - Expat Focus

Switzerland – Driving

Getting behind the wheel in Switzerland means driving on well-maintained roads that keep to the right, adhering to firm speed limits (50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads, 120 km/h on motorways), and staying within a blood alcohol

Understanding Your Swiss Pay Slip: Deductions and Benefits Explained

When moving to Switzerland, many expats find themselves navigating a new employment landscape. One of the most crucial documents to understand is the Swiss pay slip. With various deductions, contributions, and terminology that may differ from your home country, deciphering

Switzerland – Eye Care

Switzerland’s eye care landscape is largely built around out-of-pocket spending. For adults, routine vision tests, prescription glasses, and contact lenses fall outside the scope of mandatory basic health insurance, leaving residents to fund these costs themselves or through voluntary supplementary

Switzerland – End of Life Issues

Switzerland’s end of life care system is of generally high quality, though it remains fragmented across the country’s 26 cantons, with palliative services continuing to develop unevenly. Preparing key legal documents in good time — including a patient decree (living

Switzerland – Air Travel

Despite being a small, landlocked nation, Switzerland boasts a remarkably comprehensive air travel network. Three major international airports — Zurich, Geneva, and Basel — cater to the overwhelming majority of the population, offering direct connections to destinations throughout Europe and

Switzerland – Landlines and Mobile Phones

Switzerland’s telecommunications sector is mature, competitive, and well-regulated, built around three principal network operators — Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt — each serving both fixed-line and mobile customers. The country dialling code is +41, and every Swiss phone number follows a

Switzerland – Visas

Switzerland participates in the Schengen Area yet remains outside the European Union, producing a two-track immigration framework. Citizens of numerous countries may enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but anyone intending to reside, work, or

Switzerland – Selling Property

Selling property in Switzerland is a well-defined, legally regulated undertaking that is broadly achievable but involves notable complications — particularly regarding cantonal capital gains tax, mandatory notarisation, and restrictions that can affect your pool of eligible buyers. Foreign sellers should

Switzerland – Buying Property

Foreign nationals can purchase property in Switzerland, but the process is subject to strict legal controls. The central piece of legislation — Lex Koller — limits the ability of non-residents to acquire residential real estate freely, although those holding a

Switzerland – Work Permits and Working Legally

The vast majority of foreign nationals require authorisation to work legally in Switzerland. This authorisation takes the form of a combined work and residence permit, and for those from outside the EU/EFTA bloc, the sponsoring employer is almost always the