Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?
Many people who immigrate to Switzerland don’t settle here and leave again after some years.
Have you immigrated to Switzerland? What is your country of origin and what were the circumstances of your immigration to Switzerland?
Did you stay or move somewhere else again? And what motivated your decision to stay or leave? Let us know in the discussion below!
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I got relocated to Switzerland with work 2 and a half years ago with my than 9 year old daughter and absolutely love it.__The system works, public transport couldn’t be better and the country is beautiful! So many things to do and visit and we have activities for every season…Integrating with the locals was easy and we try to speak German whenever possible.
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I moved to Switzerland 2 years ago with my girlfriend (who is Swiss). At first I found the job market a bit more difficult than I was used to in Germany/Luxembourg, but then I found a job before I moved. I'm very happy here so far. The wages are good, things "just work" and the country is of course beautiful. Sure, certain things could be improved, but that's the case everywhere.
Ich bin vor 2 Jahren mit meiner Freundin in die Schweiz gezogen (die Schweizerin ist). Den Jobmarkt fand ich anfänglich etwas schwieriger als ich es in Deutschland/Luxemburg gewöhnt war, habe dann aber dennoch vor Umzug bereits einen Job gefunden. Ich bin bisher sehr zufrieden hier. Die Löhne sind gut, Dinge "funktionieren einfach" und das Land ist natürlich wunderschön. Klar gewisse Dinge könnten verbessert werden aber das ist ja überall so.
I came to Romandie to study French in 1973, another troubled time, for a year and ended up teaching English then a variety of other professions due to the many opportunities I encountered ... and never looked back. ____Yes, it is always quite difficult at first to go from a comfortable, secure place one understands to a new one that challenges us to go beyond the "known and controlled" to discover how "others" see our world
Everything here is disproportionately expensive relative to the quality offered. The society feels overly regulated and restrictive — a constant “no, no, no.” While it’s possible to earn a higher income, the cost of living is equally inflated, resulting in no real improvement in quality of life. Most cities and towns are seriously dull, with little to offer in terms of vibrancy or excitement. Access to good food is extremely limited, yet prices remain unjustifiably high for subpar quality. Discrimination is not only widespread but also publicly tolerated, as it is not treated as a crime in this country. The winters are excessively long, and both healthcare and housing are financially unsustainable.____2025 will be my final year here — I no longer have any interest in staying.
@60seconds.info
wow! after immigrating 25 years ago and becoming Swiss as well, I find all of your comments as entirely polar opposite to what I'd share. literally the opposite of every comment I would share as my perspective and its why i became Swiss and will never leave. Having grown up in the US and spent years in France, I feel we have an incredibly high quality of life here. But it isn't paradise, not is any country. Women's rights and equity are below par and yes, descrimination of all kinds exists (as elsewhere), including age..
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I have been living in Switzerland as a German since 2016 - my partner (a doctor) joined me later. Our two children were born here and are now growing up in Switzerland - their home country. ____I now pass on my knowledge as a self-employed expatriate architect from DocsGoSwiss to doctors who want to live and work in Switzerland. In my experience, cultural onboarding in Switzerland is key to ensuring that doctors and their families feel at home from day one, understand the culture and learn to live it, thus laying the foundations for understanding and integration. As this topic is often underestimated by German and Swiss employers, misunderstandings quickly arise. These are the seeds for the idea of leaving Switzerland again.
Seit 2016 lebe ich als Deutscher in der Schweiz - meine Partnerin (Ärztin) ist später nachgekommen. Und so sind inzwischen unsere beiden Kinder hier geboren und wachsen in der Schweiz auf - ihrer Heimat. ____Mein Wissen gebe ich inzwischen als Selbstständiger Auswander-Architekt von DocsGoSwiss an Ärzte und Ärztinen weiter, welche in der Schweiz Leben und Arbeiten wollen. Denn so meine Erfahrung, ist das kulturelle Onboarding in der Schweiz ein Schlüssel dafür, dass sich die Ärzte/Ärztinnen und ihre Familien vom ersten Tag wohl fühlen, die Kultur verstehen und leben lernen und damit die Basis für Verständnis und Integrations. Da dieses Thema von Deutschen und Schweizer Arbeitgebern oft unterschätzt wird, entstehen schnell Missverständnisse. Diese sind die Saat für den Gedanken, die Schweiz wieder zu verlassen.
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We have been living here for a few years and never really intended to stay here.__Switzerland is simply too expensive and a "bubble" as far as money is concerned.__Nobody (foreigners) can afford that in old age..not even the Swiss can manage that.__As I myself have lived here before and never fully understood the Swiss mentality, there was never any question of that elsewhere either.__To anticipate speculation :__It was never just about money or other monetary benefits.__We work in the social sector.__We simply wanted an environment worth living in.__Unfortunately, as a foreigner (and here it doesn't matter from where) you are basically subject to discrimination.__We feel we are to blame for everything that doesn't work here.__We work a lot and pay everything including AHV, health insurance, rent...whatever... just like everyone else (Swiss) in this country, but we are blamed for the fact that there are no flats that are affordable and we are to blame for everything else.__We originally wanted to stay longer, but have now decided that we no longer want to be the whipping boy and leave the country again...__Not because it's not nice or worth living here, but because there is simply no respect for our contribution.__I want it to be clearly understood that this does not apply to everyone and everything.__But... if we are not wanted... OK...__We just don't have a house or a flat on the towbar, so as not to burden the Swiss construct...__Good luck to the Swiss in solving their problems without foreign workers.__And I mean that completely seriously.____ A German immigrant and a German emigrant again.
Wir leben seit ein paar Jahren hier und hatten tatsächlich nie vor hier zu bleiben.__Die Schweiz ist schlicht zu teuer und eine "Bubble", was Geld betrifft..__Das kann sich kein (Ausländer) im Alter leisten..nicht mal die Schweizer bekommen das hin.__Da ich selbst schon früher hier gewohnt habe und die schweizer Mentalität nie ganz verstanden habe, stand das auch anderweitig nie zur Debatte.__Um Spekulationen vorzugreifen :__Es ging uns nie nur um Geld oder sonstige Geldwerte Vergünstigungen.__Wir arbeiten im Sozialbereich .__Wir wollten schlicht ein lebenswertes Umfeld.__Leider ist es so, daß man als Ausländer ( und hier ist es egal von woher) grundsätzlich Diskriminierung ausgesetzt ist.__Wir sind hier gefühlt an allem Schuld, was nicht funktioniert.__Wir arbeiten viel und bezahlen alles incl der AHV, Krankenversicherung, Miete..was auch immer.. genauso wie jeder andere (Schweizer) in diesem Land auch, werden aber dafür verantwortlich gemacht, daß keine Wohnungen da sind, die bezahlbar wären und auch sonst sind wir an allem Schuld.__Wir wollten ursprünglich länger bleiben, haben aber jetzt beschlossen, daß wir keine Lust mehr haben der Prügelknabe zu sein und das Land wieder zu verlassen...__Nicht, weil es hier nicht schön, oder lebenswert wäre, sondern, weil der Respekt vor unserem Beitrag schlicht nicht vorhanden ist.__Ich möchte ganz klar verstanden wissen, daß das durchaus nicht jeden und alles betrifft.__Aber.. wenn wir nicht erwünscht sind... OK..__Wir haben eben kein Haus oder eine Wohnung an der Anhängerkupplung, um das schweizer Konstrukt ja nicht zu belasten..__Viel Glück den Schweizern beim lösen Ihrer Probleme ohne ausländische Arbeitnehmer.__Und das meine ich völlig ernst.____Ein deutscher Zu- und wieder Abwanderer.
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Almost 20 years ago, I spontaneously immigrated to Germany straight after my apprenticeship due to an unexpected job offer. For the first few years it was very difficult to survive on a low salary. __Now I work in an industry where the Swiss don't want to work (night shift, railway construction) and I am well paid.__The authorities work quickly and effectively and I can see that my taxes are well invested - unlike in Germany. The Swiss are very friendly and human relations are cordial, more so than in Germany.__I am critical of the current rapprochement with the EU, which I believe will end disastrously. The centralised control from Brussels will also ruin Switzerland, a complete decoupling is urgently needed to protect our civil rights.__Whether I will be able to spend my retirement in Switzerland remains questionable and depends on my pension and the political decisions of the future. However, it would be desirable for me to stay here in Switzerland.__I will definitely not be returning to Germany; in scenario B, I will end up spending the rest of my life in south-east Asia.
Ich bin vor knapp 20 Jahren direkt nach der Lehre in Deutschland spontan, auf Grund eines unerwarteten Jobangebote eingewandert. Die ersten Jahre war es sehr schwer mit einem tiefen Salär zu überleben. __Jetzt arbeite ich in einer Branche in der Schweizer nicht arbeiten wollen(Nachtschicht, Gleisbau) und werde gut bezahlt.__Die Behörden arbeiten schnell und effektiv und ich sehe, dass meine Steuern gut investiert werden - im Gegensatz zu Deutschland. __Die Schweizer sind sehr freundlich und zwischen menschliche Beziehungen herzlich, mehr so als in Deutschland.__Kritisch sehe ich die derzeitige Annäherung an die EU, die aus meiner Sicht katastrophal enden wird. Die zentralistische Steuerung aus Brüssel wird auch die Schweiz ruinieren, eine vollständige Abkoppelung ist dringend nötig, um unsere bürgerlichen Rechte zu schützen.__Ob ich meine Rente in der Schweiz verbringen kann, bleibt fraglich und hängt von der Pension und den politischen Entscheidungen der Zukunft ab. Ein Verbleib hier im Lande wäre allerdings wünschenswert.__Eine Rückkehr nach Deutschland wird es für mich auf keinen Fall geben, es läuft im Szenario B auf den Lebensabend in Südost Asien hinaus.
After finishing my Bachelors degree in Economics, I applied for over 80 jobs in the region Bern. No luck, no single interviews. I apply for 3 positions in England, got invited for all three and got two job offers. So I moved to England. After working there for several years in IT sector, tried my luck again. I applied from a HR broker who hides the names when applying. Bingo, I got about a dozen invitations for interviews but no one took me. I continued my job and later relocated to Switzerland from London through company transfer. They adjusted by salary to local level, so Im now swimming in Luxury in Zurich area. Payment is great, its clean, beautiful and access to other countries is really great. I have nothing to complain at all. Life standard has grown in comparison to UK. I have an EU B Permit. __All in all, I would say, even in IT sector, if you are a coloured person, you will have lots of difficulties getting a place. Swiss are friendly and polite people but they reject you politely. I can see in my company in other departments, if you are white, christian and have similar cultures and come from Germany or France, it will be easier for you to get a job in Switzerland. If you have non-European sounding name, have darker skin, sorry to say this but it will be very hard for you. Still, I like the fact that the Swiss are rigid in this case, otherwise we will have a situation like in France or some part of Germany here. Some part of Zurich are already chaotic, specially around the train station. People trying to sell drugs, rough drinking in public area, dirty streets etc. and you barely see any Swiss. Most areas are covered by recent refugees from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ukraine, Syria etc. No doubt that there are many nice people from these countries but there are also many who do not adapt to Swiss law and rules and as a person who were welcomed by the Swiss as " those who need safety", they are making other peoples lives less safer. I think, this is the area where the government has lot to work on but everything else, its perfect and im happy to be here and contributing to the society in terms of tax and as a good citizen.
I came to Switzerland around 16 years ago, and nowadays, I work in public administration. The graph showing the nationality of public servants in Switzerland was predominantly Swiss, with very few employees from EU, and even less from other countries (my case). ____I feel very lucky to be where I am today, and also very proud. Switzerland is my home, as much as my country of origin. It's weird belonging to two different places, but also rewarding, which doesn't mean easy. ____As an immigrant trying to integrate, you will always be alone, in the sense that you will always be the immigrant in a group of Swiss nationals. You will miss certain cues, certain jokes, contexts, expressions, etc. German does not make anything easy, as well. And yes, we can be highly qualified, but that can sometimes mean absolutely nothing in Switzerland, which can be frustrating. I certainly understand the immigrants who leave.____On the other hand, if you're an immigrant in a group of immigrants, you will always have a common denominator: everyone is an immigrant. You're not so alone, but then you might miss chances to explore and understand a rich and intriguing culture. Staying in the immigrant bubble is great, and comfy. I prefer English a thousand times over German. But getting out of our comfort zone is also a fantastic experience. Discovering Switzerland is amazing. That's why I also understand the immigrants who stay.____Integration is hard, and a continuous effort, but with time and patience, it is absolutely worth it.
I moved from Slovenia and work in IT. The process was very smooth, minimum bureaucracy, and everyone is super friendly. ____I speak fluent German so I think it plays a big part in the integration and how people accept you. But I also adapt to the local customs - I think as a foreigner you need to know you are a guest and you need to respect your host. I think this is the main problem with immigration in Europe - people come from abroad and do not integrate in the society and follow its norms. ____In Slovenia we always say we want to be the second Switzerland, and since living here I can only agree to that goal more and more - the people are polite, everything is clean, the infrastructure is good, the public services are really a service to the people etc. The quality of life is very high.
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@Sloch
what quality of life means
que veut dire qualite de vie
Having moved to Switzerland due to a being head hunted, one can say that in Government services to do with permits, car registration and other requirements, there is a stark contrast between the Kantons of Zurich and Zug. Whilst public servants in Zurich have been pleasant to deal with - an example of adding value, Zug on the other hand seems to have public servants that behave like they have power of people. When discussing this with other immigrant high achievers, the consensus seems to be do with the fact that Zug is small; only 20 - 30 years ago they were a farming village and the attitudes of small village.__.__It has also been noted that the agreement between the United Kingdom and Switzerland of 2019 (Brexit agreement), fails in its parity for Swiss citizens in the UK and British citizens in Switzerland. __.__Why? __.__Swiss citizens can obtain a permanent resident permit (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK, without the integration requirement of language. Which is not the case in Switzerland for British citizens.__.__Without being able to retain top talent, business cannot compete. Frankly, the Swiss, due to their legacy of the apprenticeship work approach and lack of phD qualified c suite will increasingly not be able to compete and there is the real danger of businesses shifting workforce to countries where the high education talent is more accessible.__.__Smile, shake your head and wait is not a long term strategy in todays world.
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Of Spanish origin, I arrived in Switzerland at the age of three. I did all my schooling in French-speaking Switzerland. I don't know anything else: I've been living here for 37 years now.____But I'm told that to obtain Swiss nationality, I have to go through a complicated administrative procedure and pay a lot of money. Honestly, it's vexing.____Like many other EU nationals who have spent more than 90% of their lives in Switzerland, the idea of retiring elsewhere in Europe actually seems quite logical. We don't really get the impression that the Confederation wants to keep us here.____ Obviously, this feeling has nothing to do with life experience, which is excellent. It's just another administrative absurdity in this beautiful country.
D’origine espagnole, je suis arrivé en Suisse à l’âge de trois ans. J’ai fait toute ma scolarité en Suisse romande. Je ne connais rien d’autre : cela fait maintenant 37 ans que je vis ici.____Pourtant, on me dit que pour obtenir la nationalité suisse, je dois suivre une procédure administrative lourde et payer une somme conséquente. Honnêtement, c’est vexant.____Comme beaucoup d’autres ressortissants de l’UE qui ont passé plus de 90 % de leur vie en Suisse, l’idée de prendre ma retraite ailleurs en Europe semble finalement assez logique. On n’a pas vraiment l’impression que la Confédération ait envie de nous garder.____Évidemment, ce ressenti n’a rien à voir avec l’expérience de vie, qui est excellente. C’est juste une absurdité administrative de plus dans ce beau pays.
@BDAM
"We don't really get the impression that the Confederation wants to keep us here”__.__I would argue the confederation does. The issue is with the Kantons and more specifically the staff within the State migration services. I have noted that most of the staff do not have a higher education, such as a masters or PhD and therefore fall into the trap of behaving like ‘communists’; enjoying having power over the public. __.__I have a Spanish friend and with a Spanish passport, I learned that one can live in almost any latin American country and obtain their passport after 1 (Argentina) to 5 years (Chile). In addition, the Spanish passport holder has visa-free access to is more. My friend plans to get his C permit next year, then put it on hold for four years, get his Chilean and UK passports (he has Chilean girlfriend and IDLTR in UK). He will then return to CH to work and possibly apply for Swiss passport down the road.__.__As Andrew Henderson says; “Go where you are treated best”.
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@BDAM
FOR ME IT WAS THE SAME THING; WHEN I ASKED TO BE SWISS I WAS CHARGED 10000 SFR; AT MY RETIREMENT IT COST ME 300sfr; SWITZERLAND AND MONEY A VICIOUS LOVE STORY
POUR MOI CE FUT LA MEME CHOSE;QUAND J'AI DEMANDE A ETRE SUISSE ONT M'AS RECLAME 10000 SFR;A MA RETRAITE CELA M'AS COUTE 300sfr;LA SUISSE ET L'ARGENT UNE HISTOIRE D'AMOUR VICIEUSE
@BDAM
Most don't realise that naturalisation involves fulfilling certain criteria and applying through the commune (municipality) and canton where the applicant resides. ____Therein lies the difference. It is not the federal administration that sets naturalisation rules
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Love people and a small, beautiful, clean country. Public services are excellent. I have never been treated so well in my life. I am truly impressed. I made an appointment for passport services and it was completed before the scheduled time, exceeding all expectations. Every time I contact the government, I receive excellent service. I am studying the language and becoming a nurse assistant, which is effective and fast. I am able to find work and earn an income. After three months, I started working and have been doing so until now, for four years.
J'aime les gens et ce petit pays magnifique et propre. Les services publics sont excellents. Je n'ai jamais été aussi bien traitée de ma vie. Je suis vraiment impressionnée. J'ai pris rendez-vous pour obtenir un passeport et tout a été réglé avant l'heure prévue, dépassant toutes mes attentes. Chaque fois que je contacte les autorités, je reçois un excellent service. J'étudie la langue et je suis en train de devenir aide-soignante, ce qui est efficace et rapide. Je peux trouver du travail et gagner ma vie. Après trois mois, j'ai commencé à travailler et je continue depuis quatre ans.
@Metta.M
Which country were you from originally
I immigrated to CH at the end of 2022 with my wife, who grew up here, and 4 children. We had purchased an old family home in a small village... made possible in part by the generosity of my father-in-law and most of our life's savings. The initial idea was to keep the house in the family and rent it out as a holiday home to pay for the expenses, as well as to have a place to stay when we would come on vacation. My wife lived happily in the US Midwest for 16 years where we built a house and began our family. For many reasons we decided it was a good time to sell out in the US and move to CH. One of the main reasons was to be near to her dad as he was getting older and having memory issues. Supporting reasons were to expose the kids to my wife's culture, invest in my wife's homeland through community, church and cultural involvement and just enjoy rural, Swiss life! We spent 11 weeks living in CH as an extended covid make-up vacation and during that time became convinced that we should move to CH. As with most life changes there was the honeymoon period.... Everything was better in CH! We could allow our children much more freedom in being out and about, the quality of food, water, transportation system... Almost everything seemed superior to what we were used to. People were friendly and interested in our story. People were helpful and encouraging in the language struggle. We enjoyed the stunning views around every curve while driving and on every hiking trail. We were pleasantly surprised by the affordable and good quality food...granted, we weren't shopping at Coop 😊. I was warned that cross-cultural experiences usually experience this extremely positive view of the new country along with a harsh critic of the home country and that over time it would do a reversal. I would say that I have experienced this to some extent. One of the early disappointments had to do with our childrens school experience. Our region had experienced many Ukrainian families coming into the schools and overwhelming the teaching staff. By the time we arrived, the school system had worked out a contract with a language school half an hour away. Our kids were immediately enrolled in this school instead of the local school. So what's the big deal? This is great, right? Had they tested our children, they would have found that my wife's speaking to them in swiss German from birth had resulted in them understanding the language well. Unfortunately there was no test done and the kids were stuck in beginning German classes with kids who had never heard the language. We were trying to be good newcomers and not cause problems and we were sure that in a few days or weeks the teachers would surely see that the kids didn't need this intensive language help. Unfortunately they just continued on and our kids were becoming very discouraged. We finally appealed to the School superintendent and got a meeting. After an intense conversation explaining the situation he gave permission to let the kids be in normal classes for two weeks and let there normal teachers make the call. The kids never returned to the language school but we earned the reputation of the "know-it-all" Americans...and we are still operating under this stigma. Schade! Other than the normal little everyday kid issues, we're actually very happy with the school system here. I especially appreciate the apprenticeship programs and "snooper" opportunities to explore diverse jobs as the kids get older.____We were prepared to live frugally in the first months as I found employment and we worked out new budgets and routines. While everyday needs are on par with the US, services I have found to be very expensive. Car maintenance, plumbing and electric costs are much higher than what I was used to. Fuel is higher quality but also much more expensive...even with US inflation. You pay for EVERYTHING! Parking, WC, kids School activities that are obligatory, entry fees, filing fees, etc. And there's a rule for EVERYTHING! Recently I heard that CH was declared the country with the most freedom. I laughed! In the US, especially if you live rural, you have true freedom. I built my house myself with one obligatory inspection of the septic system. Everything else was on me. I started my business with my brother with filing one form with the state...free! I hunted on my own land with my daughter who legally shot her first deer at 11 years old. We homeschooled our children because we felt my wife could give them a better, more well rounded education than they would get in public school. We drove our vehicles as long as we wanted without needing inspections. Now, the true freedom in the US has it's dark side as the whole world is seeing. Without the inner moral restraint of Judeo-Christian principles that was expected by the US founders, this true freedom has been steadily heading towards chaos as moral relativism and postmodernism have taken over higher education and government institutions. The strict rules that govern Swiss society keep everyone in line, starting in play group. I appreciate the well ordered society, but I miss the true freedom I enjoyed in the US. ____That's enough for now. In conclusion, I left a great home with it's advantages and disadvantages and have found a new home with the same 🙂. The question is, will I focus on the positives or the negatives? I'm choosing the positive as my focus while not denying that the negatives are there. I would love constructive feedback on what I've shared but would appreciate the "buntzlis" keeping it 'constructive'!😁
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@JoStoUSA
A little note on teaching your children at school...just as an aside :__Schwizer Dütsch is a dialect, not a language.__The Swiss constitution lists several languages as official languages:__German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic.____"Swiss German" is not mentioned.____I don't understand why you would want to "force" Swiss German on your children.__It would be as if Bavarian were to be introduced into the German education system as a school language.__Not a good idea.__If you want to learn it, that's perfectly fine...but by force???__Now though...I admit quite openly...there's a lot I don't understand.__Kind regards.
Kleiner Hinweis zum Schulunterricht Ihrer Kinder..nur so am Rande :__Schwizer Dütsch ist ein Dialekt, keine Sprache.__In der schweizer Verfassung stehen mehrere Sprachen als Amtssprache:__Deutsch, Französisch, Italienisch und Räto-Romanisch.____Das "Schweizer Deutsch" wird nicht erwähnt.____Warum man Ihren Kindern schwizer Dütsch "aufzwingen" möchte, erschließt sich mir nicht.__Es wäre, als ob Bayerisch als Schulsprache Eingang ins Bildungssystem Deutschlands fände.__Nicht zielführend.__Wenn man das gerne lernen möchte ist das ja völlig in Ordnung..aber zwangsweise???__Nun aber..ich gebe ganz offen zu..ich verstehe viel nicht.__Kind regards.
@JoStoUSA
Thank you for sharing this! Everything you said makes so much sense. I would give anything to have the chance to move to Switzerland. You're so very fortunate. I’m an American with Swiss roots, and it looks impossible for me to ever have the chance to move, with the strict rules for work permits and the cost of living and the logistics of it all. __I agree completely with what you said about the U.S. Freedom only works when there is also virtue. I visited Switzerland a few years ago, and felt more at home there than the U.S. I’m sure there is a honeymoon period though, like you said. I’ve just never been more strongly drawn to a place.
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A country of hope, where everything is possible... that's the image I had of Switzerland, from my teenage years in Portugal... ____I finally had the opportunity to come to this beautiful country almost 11 years ago, despite the many difficulties I encountered, everything is possible, but not without resilience... and tears too.____Regrets? No regrets at all! Today I have a standard of living that I never imagined I would have in my native country. Switzerland opened the doors for me and gave me a future, but not without a lot of sacrifices... ____Arrived unqualified, now qualified in health and I'm continuing to follow my dream and yes, naturalisation is in my plans.
Un pays d'espoir ou tout est possible...voila voici l'image que j'avais de la suisse, depuis mon adolescence au portugal...____J'ai eu finalment l'opportunité de venir dans ce beau pays il y a bientôt 11 ans, malgré les numereuses difficultés rencontrés, tout est possible, mais non sans résiliance... avec des larmes aussi.____Des regrets? Aucun! Aujourd'hui j'ai un niveau de vie que je n'avais jamais imaginé avoir dans mon pays natal. La suisse m'a ouvert les portes et ma donnée un avenir, non sans beaucoup des sacrifices...____Arrivée non qualifiée, aujourd'hui qualifiée dans la santé et je continue a presuivre mon rêve et oui la naturalisation est dans mes projets.
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@Pignat.P
It's the golden cage effect. Just a point of clarification though, it doesn't really work with people from the country. Who knows why? Conformity, ideology? But in this age of climate change, you might want to think about rethinking your plans, because the climate isn't going to change its plans, despite all the procrastination on the part of mankind. In the meantime, good for you, but keep your European identity.
C'est l'effet cage dorée. Juste une précision quand même cela ne fonctionne pas vraiment avec les personnes originaires du pays. Va savoir pourquoi ? Conformisme, idéologie ? Pourtant à l'heure du dérèglement climatique, il faudrait songer à revoir sa copie car le climat, lui par contre, va pas modifier ses plans et ceci en dépit de toutes les tergiversations humaines. En attendant, tant mieux pour vous mais garder votre identité Européenne.
Living in Switzerland for almost 25years I would say thee swiss have grown on me.__The disadvantages I had is my education was not accepted here so I had to start from scratch the same thing was with my driver's license.__What really bothers me now that thee cross signs being removed from institutions.__On the other hand I really like the neatness and the public transport system , I like that you can leave your car outside your home and it is safe.__What is funny for me is tried to learn the dialect and meeting people they would struggle to speak German with me although I will answer in their dialect and they struggle with the German but just because they see a foreign person their assumptions will be that she doesn't understand the dialect.
I am from Ghana and migrated in 2000 to Switzerland.__My experience in the early years were not positive but I think it is because I live in an area which was not confronted with other race apart from theirs.__Since I learnt the language and of course not being a social case things are better.__They are still ignorant people around but I don't let it bother me much.__Switzerland is a great country but sometimes I think they overthink a lot of things.__They spent a lot of money when there's a catastrophe somewhere but they don't really make it easy for their own people when they are struggling financially.
A Journey of Resilience: From Afghanistan to Switzerland
My name is Muhammad Ayub Ayubi,and I am a professional M.D medical doctor from Afghanistan. With over 18 years of experience in healthcare, governance, program and project management, policy development, data management, and advanced monitoring and evaluation, I have dedicated my life to improving the lives of others. I hold a Doctor of Medicine degree from Kabul Medical University and a Master’s degree in Development Policies and Practices (DPP) from the Geneva Graduate Institute—qualifications I earned with the hope of contributing meaningfully to both national and global development.
In December 2022, after the collapse of the Afghan government and amid growing insecurity, I made the painful but necessary decision to leave my homeland. With a heart full of hope and a deep sense of responsibility toward my family, I immigrated to Switzerland—seeking safety, stability, and a future for my children. I currently reside in Zurich with my large family of nine, and hold a B Permit that allows me to live here legally.
Since arriving in Switzerland, I have taken active steps to integrate into society. I immediately began the process of registering my degrees and qualifications, hoping to resume my professional career. Unfortunately, this journey has not been without obstacles. The language barrier has proven to be a significant challenge, making it difficult to engage with the community, apply for jobs, or fully participate in professional opportunities.
Despite my qualifications and extensive experience, I have struggled to find employment in my field. Switzerland’s job market is competitive and highly dependent on fluency in national languages. While I am committed to learning German and have already enrolled in intensive language courses, progress takes time—and time is a luxury when you are the sole provider for a large family.
Another harsh reality I have encountered is the lack of institutional support for professional immigrants. I have yet to find a comprehensive integration program that assists skilled refugees and migrants in re-entering the workforce or connecting with relevant Swiss institutions. This absence of support undermines the potential of many professionals who are eager to contribute to their new society.
Financial assistance, while appreciated, does not adequately meet the needs of large families trying to rebuild their lives. The high cost of living, combined with the lack of access to sustainable work, puts immense pressure on newcomers like myself who are striving for self-reliance and dignity.
I believe that the Swiss system has the capacity—and the moral imperative—to do more. Tailored integration programs for professionals, faster recognition of international qualifications, language support tied to job placement, and financial policies that consider family size could make a significant difference.
My journey is not just one of survival; it is a journey of perseverance and hope. I believe in Switzerland’s values of human dignity, opportunity, and justice. I believe that one day I will return to my profession—not just for myself, but to give back to the country that gave me refuge.
Until then, I will continue to learn, adapt, and advocate—not only for myself but for the many others like me, whose skills and dreams deserve a chance to flourish in their new home.
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Ayubi
The demands you are making. Let's assume all the things you would have needed to regain a foothold like in your home country Afghanistan. What personal contribution would you have made to Swiss society and the environment?
Die Forderungen, die Sie stellen. Bekommt nicht mal ein Eidgenosse (Schweizer).__Nehmen wir mal an, all die Dinge, die Sie Benötigt hätten um wieder, Fuss zu fassen wie in der Heimat Afghanistan. Welcher Persönlicher Beitrag, hätten Sie Erbracht für die Schweizer Gesellschaft und Umwelt.
@Höma69
Thank you for your thoughtful question. It is absolutely fair to expect newcomers to reflect on their role and contributions to their host country. I deeply value the principles of responsibility, contribution, and integration.____Let me start by acknowledging that no society owes individuals automatic success—but every society that welcomes skilled immigrants should recognize their potential and provide a realistic pathway for them to contribute.____In Afghanistan, I served for 18 years in critical roles across healthcare systems, governance, and public policy. I managed complex health programs, led data-driven monitoring and evaluation initiatives, and helped design sustainable, evidence-based health policies for vulnerable populations. These were not just jobs—they were contributions that improved lives under challenging conditions.____Had I been offered structured opportunities to integrate into the Swiss system—including fast-tracked credential recognition, targeted language training aligned with professional work, and job-bridging programs tailored for foreign-trained experts—I would have been able to contribute to Switzerland from the very first year of my arrival.____Here’s what I can—and intend—to offer to Swiss society:___•_Medical and public health expertise that can strengthen community health initiatives, especially in underserved or multilingual populations.___•_Monitoring and evaluation skills that can enhance the efficiency and impact of social programs and public services.___•_Intercultural competence and multilingual communication, which are invaluable in a globally connected Switzerland with diverse communities.___•_A strong work ethic, professional discipline, and a desire to contribute, not only to earn but to give back to the society that offered me refuge.____Additionally, I am actively learning the German language, adapting to local norms, and seeking opportunities not just for employment, but for civic participation.____This is not a matter of asking for privilege—it is a matter of unlocking the potential that already exists among professional immigrants. Integration is a two-way process. If Switzerland invests in inclusive structures for skilled newcomers, the return on that investment will be seen in innovation, diversity, stronger communities, and a healthier society.____I do not seek to recreate Afghanistan here. I seek to bring the best of my experience to enrich my new home.
@Ayubi
A relative of mine had similar experience. Long waiting time , years and years in Basel until he looked outward as he didnt want to work as a shopkeeper in Switzerland. He had his medical qualifications from Iran recognised in Germany. It took 4 months. He already learned German before hand. He got a job offer from Eppendorf Clinic in Hamburg with around 90k Euros yearly pay in the beginning. He could move there with wife and children. Quality of life is much better as he says now and support for Children is fantastic. Most importantly, there is huge respect for doctors and the people are more open and welcoming than anywhere else. By now, he is Oberartz (after 6 years) and says that quality of life is at best and regrets the time wasted in Basel. Swiss are very rigid in terms of foreign qualifications outside of EU. It might be a dead end for many. So, look out if there are opportunities in the neighbouring countries. I heard, for medical professionals, Germany, Holland and UK are very welcoming. Good Luck.
I have lived in a Swiss city for the last 13 years. I originally come from Portugal for a PhD, but later found my first job in Switzerland. Effectively, I found myself as an immigrant aligned with Swiss values such as those based on equality, freedom but respect, duty and structure. I might not always align with all of Swiss values, specially the ones more prevalent in the country side, like for example gender. But overall am planning to become a citizen soon, since already qualifying for a while and can’t imagine myself living/working anywhere else.
My wife moved here for work 4 years ago today (May 1) and I semi followed her later that year. I say 'semi followed' because whilst I have had a B permit since 2024 I still work in the UK and consider the UK to be my primary residence.
When we moved we wanted to do at least 5 years here and although my wife does plan to go for her C permit neither of us expect that Switzerland will become our permanent home. At some point in the next 5-10 years we will buy a home in the UK, which become our primary home.
There is much we both love about Switzerland and we will no doubt continue to spend time here, if only because my wife wants a place in the mountains, but it isn't home and that is something we hear a lot from expats. Especially those who come from wealthy countries, like the UK, Canada and US. Almost every expat/friend/colleague we know from these countries plans to return home, where as fiends etc from what are currently poorer countries, such as Serbia or Brazil etc plan to stay.
There are several reasons why we don't plan to stay permanently, but a major one is that its hard to become part of the community here, especially if you don't have children. That is for us a big one and I think its a major reason why many people return home.
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