Switzerland is one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world. It has a lot to offer and to see. Some of the biggest companies worldwide have their European headquarters in Switzerland. Therefore, a lot of expats move to Switzerland with their families. We have listed the ten most popular swiss cities and given you a short review of them.
Zurich, the capital of the canton of Zurich, is the largest city in Switzerland with a population of more than 400’000 and is located on the beautiful lake of Zurich. It is one of the largest financial centres and harbours many companies from overseas. Did you know that every year, over 9'000 new businesses are established in the canton, many of them founded by expats?
The official language spoken in Zurich is German, even though most Swiss mainly speak a Swiss German dialect called 'Züridütsch' in their everyday life. Zurich offers many museums, art galleries and theaters such as the Swiss National Museum, the world-famous Opera House or the Schauspielhaus Zurich. Besides this, the cultural offer and free time activities are versatile and bring expats from all over the world to make this city their new home.
Of course, one of the reasons we love Zurich so much is because it's our home! Expat Services Switzerland is located right near the Zurich city center, from where we serve newcomers to Switzerland as their personal insurance, pension, and tax partner.
I need insurance supportBasel is the principal town of the canton of Basel-Stadt and is located on the border triangle between Germany and France in the northwest of Switzerland. It is a global centre of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, a world-famous exhibition centre as well as an important banking centre. The city is loved by many for its high quality of life as well as the offer in public transport. The Rhein river provides a beautiful scenery for a nice get-together as well as an opportunity for a refreshing swim during the lunch break of many natives. Besides this, the manifold of cultural activities such as almost 40 different museums allow expats to feel at home very fast.
Zug is located about 23km away from Zurich and is the capital of the canton of Zug. Right beside the city, the Lake Zug invites going for a swim or a stroll along the waterside. The city is internationally known as the tax haven of Switzerland, which is why many multinational companies, which are mainly active in commodity trading and the financial sector, have their headquarters in the city of Zug. Even though, this city only counts about 30’000 inhabitants, there is a lot to discover – various museums, cinemas and theatres offer entertainment for everyone.
Lausanne is a city with more than 144'000 inhabitants and located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The city is located on Lake Geneva and with 43 percent of the population not holding Swiss citizenship, Lausanne is a city with a particularly high proportion of foreigners. It is an important economic, cultural and educational centre and the capital of the canton of Vaud. There are many museums, theatres and libraries to discover, as well as a lot of green space to relax right by the lake. Special attractions are the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Olympic museum, the Chateau Saint-Maire, and other baroque buildings.
Geneva is located on the edge of French Switzerland near the Rhone river on Lake Geneva. With more than 200’000 inhabitants, it is the second largest city as well as the second largest financial centre in Switzerland after Zurich. It is the principal town of the canton of Geneva and besides New York City, the city is home to most international organisations worldwide, including the UN, CERN, the ICRC and WHO. Many public fairs and trade fairs such as the Geneva International Motor Show are organised in the Palexpo trade fair complex. Countless museums and places of interest such as the jet d’eau or the jardin anglais attract visitors and expats from all over the world.
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, referred to by the Swiss as their “federal city”, as well as the capital of the canton of Bern which is the second-most populous of Switzerland’s cantons. The river Aare forms with its loop-like course a tongue of land on which parts of the city are located, which served as a natural protection during the times of urban planning almost 1000 years ago. In 1983, the historic old town in the centre of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city itself is home to 114 Swiss heritage sites of national significance, including the old town and many sites within and around it such as the Cathedral, the Zytglogge, the Swiss National Library and the Bärengraben (Bear Pit). Like the other cities, Bern also offers divers cultural attractions and beautiful green areas for recreation.
Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and has about 82’000 inhabitants. It is located on Lake Lucerne with a view of the Alps. Each year its panoramic views attract thousands of international tourists. The city is known as the social and cultural centre of Switzerland and is frequently visited because of cultural or social events of great importance. Famous cultural events are for instance the Carnival in Lucerne or the Lucerne Blues Festival. Besides this, the city is famous for attractions such as the Kapellbrücke and the Swiss Museum of Transport.
Lugano is a town and a municipality in southern Switzerland in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino bordering to Italy. It counts over 63’000 inhabitants and lies on Lake Lugano, where it is surrounded by the mountains of the Lugano Prealps. The charming streets and squares of the city immediately create a feel-good atmosphere. Many restaurants and wine cellars bid for spotting the culinary delights from the south of Switzerland. Over 830 km of hiking trails and 370km of trails for mountain biking invite sport addicts from all over the world to explore the lovely city and region. Due to its mild climate and beautiful landscapes, the region also popular with Swiss natives who like to spend some of their holidays in the “sunny state” of Switzerland.
St. Gallen is the capital of the Swiss canton of St. Gallen, which lies in the eastern part of Switzerland. St. Gallen has around 80,000 inhabitants and is one of the higher situated cities of Switzerland, lying at about 700 m above sea level. The historically evolved old town with the abbey, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1983, blends with a dynamic urban development around the core, with large-scale urban projects including the construction of the Swiss Federal Administrative Court and the St. Gallen University of Applied Sciences (FHS). First-class cultural institutions such as the Theatre, the Tonhalle, the home of the symphony orchestra or the art museum all contribute to the wide-ranging cultural offering and the diverse social life. Furthermore, the annual agricultural fair OLMA attracts countless visitors every time.
Biel/Bienne is a city in the canton of Berne. Possibly the most bilingual city in the whole country, Biel, as it is known in German, lies right on the linguistic border. Therefore, half of its 55’000 inhabitants know it by its French name, Bienne. Its charming location at the foot of the Jura Mountains overlooking lake Biel makes it a great place to stay and invites to explore the mountains or go for a swim. The hills surrounding the lake also offer many traditional vineyards where many delicious wines are produced. In addition to the views that it offers of the Alps, it has a quiet and picturesque Old Town worth exploring.
Do you want to get more information about life in Switzerland? Contact us now and get the best insider tips and find out everything you need to know about Switzerland!
Impressive scenery, good career prospects and an excellent standard of living, have long made Switzerland an attractive destination for immigrants.
Switzerland is a great destination for expats, but every nation has its ups and downs. If you’re new to the country, or if you’re just in the process of planning your move, you should know what to expect. We’ve got the greatest advantages & disadvantages (plus how to deal with them!) about life in Switzerland laid out for you.
If you are planning to immigrate to Switzerland, you should already in advance plan where to stay.
The corona situation in Switzerland is still critical. If you still don't want to miss out on some fun and sport, you'll get your money's worth when visiting ski resorts.
Switzerland is very famous for its many laws and obligations. Here are some of the most bizarre ones.
Switzerland has the longest, densest, most varied and best waymarked network of hiking trails. In so many ways a record breaker. In total in Switzerland there are 65’000 kilometers of waymarked trails at all levels of difficulties. We have gathered the most important information for hiking in Switzerland.
We have summed up for you the ten most beautiful and interesting sights in Switzerland.
Conditions, qualities and expectations vary from country to country. Therefore, it is important that you are aware and know how the dating scene works in Switzerland and what Swiss men and women value and love.
Are you moving to Switzerland with children? Then it is important for you to know how the education system works in Switzerland. Switzerland offers your children many opportunities and a high-quality education.
The range of childcare options in Switzerland is very diverse and wide-ranging. Find out in this article which childcare options are available for your children and which one best suits your needs.
Good career opportunities, numerous further qualification possibilities and an attractive salary. These are the things that define the Swiss labour market. The world of work is stable and the unemployment rate has been low for many years, which is one of the many reasons why the Swiss labour market is one of the best in the world.
You already know that Switzerland offers very good educational opportunities and great career prospects. But did you know that the study opportunities are also just as diverse?
As you already know from our article on "How to find love in Switzerland", making new contacts in Switzerland is not that easy. But that doesn't mean it's impossible - you just have to know how. Read on to find out more!
From amusing, charming to brutal traditions - Switzerland has a variety of traditions and customs to offer. Around 200 different ones are still practiced today. We are pleased to introduce you to four of the best known living Swiss traditions.
It's no secret that the Swiss work a lot - but what do they actually do on their days off or after work? Find out in this article which are the most popular Swiss hobbies.
Everyday life for newcomers can be challenging and often you don't know where to get the right support. In this article, we have compiled the most important apps that will simplify your life in Switzerland.
Switzerland has a wide range of leisure activities to offer. This also includes museums. Whether culture, science or art - visitors are fascinated by what Switzerland has to offer. In this article, we have selected the 10 most exciting museums for you from over 1130.
In all parts of the world, Easter is a good reason to share hope, confidence and joy with loved ones and create unforgettable moments together. But every country has different customs and traditions and so does Switzerland. In this article we will acquaint you with the most common and popular Swiss traditions during Easter time!
The Sechseläuten, also known as Sächsilüüte, is a spring festival in Zurich that has been held every spring in the center of Sechseläutenplatz since 1902. On April 25, the Sechseläuten took place. In this article you will learn the exciting story behind the spring festival.
Springtime - The favorite season for many people. And rightfully so. The weather is cooperating, the list of activities is endless and the anticipation for summer is huge. Want to be as active as possible this spring but don't know where to start? We have put together a list of the best activities for you to make your choice easier!
Sustainability is a topic that is becoming increasingly important and more and more people are addressing it. Whether it's reducing plastic consumption or separating garbage, everyone can make a contribution to more sustainability in their everyday lives. In this article, you will find out how you can make your everyday life more environmentally friendly.
The Sechseläuten is a centuries-old tradition at the beginning of spring in Zurich. It always takes place on the third Monday in April. Besides historically costumed guild members, bands, horses, flowers, flags and the "Böögg" characterize the festival. Nowadays, the Böögg is even the main figure and symbolizes winter. He is burned on a pyre just in time for the six o'clock chimes of the Grossmünster church. And the faster his head, filled with fireworks, explodes, the more beautiful summer will be. At least that's what they say in Zurich.
Living as an expat in Switzerland is an exciting journey full of new discoveries and experiences, but it also comes with numerous laws and regulations to adhere to. Switzerland takes fines seriously – violations of the many local regulations are quickly punished with fines. Here's how you can avoid unpleasant surprises and integrate smoothly.
The Street Parade is back in Zurich! If you’re new in Switzerland, you don’t want to miss this legendary occasion on Saturday, the 10th of August 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s largest techno-party (including our own special recommendation for the after-party)!
Switzerland is an expensive country, and it has not escaped the cost-of-living crisis unscathed. While the current economic situation for the average Swiss worker is still relatively stable, many people find themselves having to ‘tighten the belt’. Projections for the lower-to middle class are bleak, and newcomers to Switzerland are especially at risk.
James N., originally from the UK, has lived in Switzerland for the last 30 years. His professional career has led him to work in radio and in banking. In 2023, James was encouraged to apply for Swiss citizenship through the simplified naturalization process, as he was married to a Swiss national and had lived in the country long enough.
