Switzerland is expensive, but wages are among the highest in the world, so a move is manageable if you budget from the right starting point. Do not plan from your gross salary: plan from what is left after deductions, health insurance, tax and rent. The figures below are rough guides that vary a lot by region and household.

In short

  • Rent is the biggest cost. A small flat for one person costs roughly 1,000 to 2,500 francs a month depending on the region, plus a rental deposit at the start.
  • Health insurance is compulsory for everyone, children included. You must take it out within three months of arriving, and you pay it yourself.
  • Tax differs by canton and municipality. On a B or L permit it is usually deducted from your salary at source.
  • Groceries cost many single people around 400 to 600 francs a month if they mostly cook at home.
  • Smaller bills add up: mobile, internet, the Serafe radio and TV levy, electricity and refuse sacks.

Start from your net income

Several things are taken off before you have money for everyday life:

  • social insurance contributions (AHV/AVS, unemployment insurance and, above the legal thresholds, the occupational pension), deducted from your salary;
  • health insurance premiums, which you pay separately;
  • taxes, which depend on your canton and municipality;
  • rent, usually your largest expense.

For how social insurance relates to your permit, see social insurance and your permit. Regional price and rent figures are published by the Federal Statistical Office, and general information for newcomers is on ch.ch.

Rent

Housing costs vary most by region. Cities and their surroundings are much more expensive than rural areas.

  • Gross rent counts. Utility costs (heating, hot water, building upkeep) usually come on top of the net rent.
  • Rental deposit. You normally pay a security deposit at the start. It is held in a blocked account and returned when you leave. Budget for it on top of the first month's rent.
  • Tight market. Vacancy rates are low in many regions. A complete application file and a quick response help.

As a rough guide, a small flat for one person costs about 1,000 to 2,500 francs a month, and a family flat considerably more. Check real listings in your target area.

Health insurance

Everyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance within three months of arriving. Cover applies back to your arrival date, and the premium is charged per person, including children. It is a bill you pay, not a salary deduction.

  • Insurers must accept everyone for basic insurance.
  • Premiums depend on where you live, the insurance model and your deductible. The official premium overview is on priminfo.ch.
  • If you miss the deadline, you are assigned to an insurer: you are covered, but you lose the choice.

The health insurance deadline calculator works out your cut-off date from your arrival date.

Groceries

Food costs noticeably more than in neighbouring countries. Eating out at lunch is one of the most underestimated costs. Supermarket own brands and discounters cut the bill a lot. Many single people spend around 400 to 600 francs a month on groceries if they mostly cook for themselves.

Getting around

Public transport is dense and reliable, and fares are high, but discounts help:

  • Half-fare travelcard (Halbtax): halves the price of most train, bus and boat tickets. It often pays off even for occasional trips.
  • General travelcard (GA): unlimited travel on most of the network, for commuters and frequent travellers.
  • Regional passes: cover local transport in a zone and are often the cheapest option for commuting.

A car adds insurance, fuel, parking, servicing and road charges. In well-connected cities public transport is usually cheaper; in the countryside a car can be essential.

Tax

Tax is charged by the Confederation, the canton and the municipality. Cantons and municipalities set their own rates, so what you pay depends heavily on where you live and your circumstances.

If you work without a C permit, typically on a B or L permit, tax is usually deducted from your salary at source. See the B residence permit. Your cantonal tax authority can tell you how much you will pay and whether you will also need to file a tax return.

Smaller recurring bills

  • Mobile and internet: not cheap by international standards. Prepaid is available straight away; contracts need an identity check.
  • Serafe: every household pays a radio and TV levy, whether or not you own a device. The bill arrives automatically after you register.
  • Electricity and utilities: billed by the municipality or local utility. Many municipalities charge for refuse sacks, while recycling is mostly free.

Building your budget

For a single person, rent and health insurance take the largest share, followed by groceries, transport, mobile and internet and the smaller bills. For a family, housing and health insurance rise with each person, and childcare and school supplies come on top, though some fixed costs are shared.

Work from real figures for your target region rather than averages. The cost-of-living calculator combines rent, insurance and daily costs into an estimate, and the checklist for moving to Switzerland takes you through the deadlines and paperwork.