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Moving to Switzerland from Germany

What the move actually looks like, from Germany to Switzerland. Rent, taxes, healthcare, and the visa you'll need to sort out first.

Home/Switzerland/From Germany

Currency

CHF

CHF

Healthcare

Mandatory Private

CHF0/mo

Work Visa

2-8 weeks

processing time

Deposit

3 mo

of rent

Visa & Work Permits

Work permit: B permit for employed workers. L permit for temporary. Strict quotas for non-EU.
EU citizens: Free to work but quota may apply. Register with canton.
Processing time: 2-8 weeks

Which city in Switzerland?

CityMedian Salary1BR Rent RangeEnglishNeighborhoods
ZurichCHF7,800CHF2,600 - CHF4,4005/512
GenevaCHF7,500CHF2,000 - CHF3,8005/512
BaselCHF8,500CHF2,000 - CHF3,4004/55

What the taxman takes: Germany vs Switzerland

Same gross salary in both places: CHF6,500 (CHF) per month.

Germany

3980.0%

effective tax rate

Net: €3,911/mo

Switzerland

1370.0%

effective tax rate

Net: CHF5,612/mo

Rough numbers for a single filer with standard deductions. Your actual rate shifts with income, city, and your own situation.

What daily life costs in Switzerland

Zurich

1BR Rent
CHF2,600 - CHF4,400
Groceries/mo
CHF550
Transport Pass
CHF90
Full breakdown

Geneva

1BR Rent
CHF2,000 - CHF3,800
Groceries/mo
CHF520
Transport Pass
CHF70
Full breakdown

Basel

1BR Rent
CHF2,000 - CHF3,400
Groceries/mo
CHF530
Transport Pass
CHF88
Full breakdown

The up-front bill, moving to Switzerland

Rental Deposit

3 month(s) of rent

Registration & Admin

CHF0

Usually 3 months deposit. Very competitive market.

Also considering leaving Germany for somewhere else?

🇳🇱 Netherlands🇦🇹 Austria🇪🇸 Spain🇺🇸 U.S.A.🇬🇧 U.K.

See what your salary looks like in Switzerland

Type in your gross pay. We'll show what lands after tax, which neighborhoods you can actually afford, and how much is left over each month.

Open the calculatorExplore Switzerland

Questions people actually ask

How does Switzerland compare to Germany on cost of living?

It depends on the city. In Zurich, a one-bed runs CHF2,600 to CHF4,400 and groceries land around CHF550 a month. In Geneva, a one-bed runs CHF2,000 to CHF3,800 and groceries land around CHF520 a month. In Basel, a one-bed runs CHF2,000 to CHF3,400 and groceries land around CHF530 a month.

Do I need a visa to work in Switzerland from Germany?

B permit for employed workers. L permit for temporary. Strict quotas for non-EU. If you hold an EU passport: Free to work but quota may apply. Register with canton.. Expect processing to take 2-8 weeks. Double-check the current rules with the Switzerland immigration authority before you book anything.

How does healthcare work in Switzerland once you arrive?

Switzerland runs a Mandatory Private system. Private insurance mandatory (~CHF 300-500/month). No employer contribution. Public coverage is roughly CHF0 a month. Private sits around CHF400.

How much tax will I pay in Switzerland?

On CHF6,500 gross a month, you're looking at roughly 1370.0% effective. That leaves about CHF5,612 in your account. The real number moves with your income, your city, and your situation.

What up-front money do I need to move from Germany to Switzerland?

Budget 3 month(s) of rent for the deposit. Registration and paperwork usually come in around CHF0. Usually 3 months deposit. Very competitive market.