Moving abroad made easy

Are you moving abroad or already living there? In our articles and interviews, we let experts have their say and provide essential background information on emigration and everyday life abroad.

Emigration advice
Living abroad
Banks and taxes
Health insurance and pensions
Children and family
Votes and elections
Returning to Switzerland
Swiss Abroad community

Official information from the Swiss federal government can be found on the Swiss foreign ministry website (FDFAExternal link).

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSAExternal link) is available for additional advice.

Emigration advice

From CV to interview: how to apply for a job abroad

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 Applying for jobs in other countries means adjusting to different standards and expectations.

young woman sitting on the floor in an empty room with laptop and suitcase

What you need to know to get a job abroad

This content was published on Feb 5, 2025 Emigrating from Switzerland in search of work in another country? Here is some sound advice.

A family of five paddling in the sea at sunset, on the beach.

Emigration: what steps should I take to leave Switzerland?

This content was published on Jan 23, 2025 This article, along with a practical checklist, will guide you step by step through the emigration process – supplemented with further helpful articles and links.

Private relocation, two young ladies carry a crate into a house. packing boxes well is inmportant for Moving abroad

Moving abroad: a helpful checklist

This content was published on Dec 23, 2024 Planning on emigrating? This checklist including expert tips will guide you through the logistical steps.

Digital nomads: what to consider as a temporary Swiss Abroad

This content was published on Mar 1, 2023 Before the pandemic they were considered exotic; today digital nomads are in vogue. But the dream lifestyle is not without pitfalls.

Everything you need to know to organize your move abroad

This content was published on Apr 28, 2025 Organize your move abroad: everything you need to know in 90 seconds.

What you need to know to get a job abroad

This content was published on Apr 3, 2025 Got a Swiss passport and dreaming of working abroad? We’ll show you how to get started in under 90 seconds – the countdown is on!

Living abroad

From emigration to arrival: How to successfully integrate abroad

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 From culture shock to new friendships: experts share their tips for successful integration and making new friends.

Swiss passengers queuing to check in their luggage in a Swiss airport

Culture shock: The four phases of emigration

This content was published on Dec 23, 2024 Moving abroad is an exciting but often challenging experience. Many emigrants experience different phases between culture shock and assimilation.

How a small cooperative extends a lifeline to Swiss abroad

This content was published on Mar 19, 2023 Every year 30,000 Swiss choose to leave their homeland. A little known cooperative can help them with unforeseen challenges.

Banks and taxes

Files next to a globe on a desk in an office of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in Neuchatel in the canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland, pictured on November 6, 2010.

Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know

This content was published on Jan 7, 2025 Tax liability in Switzerland does not always end at the country’s border – here’s what you should bear in mind when moving abroad.

Bank account for Swiss citizens living abroad

Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating

This content was published on Dec 23, 2024 Swiss Abroad frequently pay significantly higher fees at Swiss banks than their compatriots in Switzerland. You can find an overview of prices here.

How do you deal with high banking fees for the Swiss Abroad?

Are you a Swiss expat? Have you found a solution to this problem? Do you still have a Swiss bank account in Switzerland at all?

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Mar 14, 2022

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85 Comments

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Application de la néo-banque Revolut sur un téléphone mobile

Are neobanks the answer for the Swiss Abroad?

This content was published on Feb 9, 2022 A new generation of digital banks could better meet the financial needs of Swiss citizens living abroad.

Health insurance and pensions

Emigration and pension benefits: how to save on taxes

This content was published on Jan 28, 2025 Taxes are due when withdrawing pension fund capital. Swiss citizens living abroad may, under certain circumstances, reclaim a portion of these taxes.

Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?

This content was published on Jan 6, 2025 Should you take out insurance abroad? Or with a health insurance company in Switzerland? Is that even possible? We explain.

Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know

This content was published on Apr 8, 2023 How can I claim my state pension abroad? Can I still make voluntary contributions from outside Switzerland? Answers to some FAQs.

Children and family

Emigrating with family: what to do if a child doesn’t want to move

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 New surroundings, new school, new friends – emigration can be a daunting prospect for children. Two experts share their tips.

Family with children hiking - taken from behind

Advice for Swiss families moving abroad

This content was published on Dec 12, 2023 Despite all the anticipation, emigrating with your family can be accompanied by numerous uncertainties and worries. Here is some help.

Votes and elections

Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections

This content was published on Oct 16, 2024 Switzerland grants voting rights to its citizens living abroad. If you want to exercise your voting rights, you must first get on the electoral register.

How to vote from abroad as a Swiss citizen

This content was published on Jun 25, 2025 Living outside Switzerland doesn’t mean losing your right to vote. Yet only a small percentage of Swiss citizens living abroad actually cast their ballots. Here’s a short guide on how to vote from abroad.

Returning to Switzerland

Bringing a pet to Switzerland requires meticulous preparation

This content was published on Feb 13, 2025 Whether visiting Switzerland on holiday or arriving to live permanently, entering the country with a pet involves a number of steps and formalities. Here’s what you need to know.

Laptop, coffee, mobile phone and notepad on the table

Unemployed abroad? Returning to Switzerland requires careful preparation

This content was published on Dec 23, 2024 For Swiss nationals planning to return to Switzerland after living abroad, it pays to prepare the ground carefully in order to avoid surprises – especially if job-seeking is on the cards.

“Will I have to do military service when I return to Switzerland?”

This content was published on Sep 5, 2023 Military service in Switzerland always raises questions for young Swiss Abroad.

Swiss Abroad: hurdles to studying in Switzerland remain

This content was published on Nov 13, 2022 Foreign diplomas and financial issues can make it difficult for young Swiss expats to study in Switzerland.

What is it like to work in Switzerland?

This content was published on Oct 28, 2020 Find out how and why the job market has evolved and where Swiss employers are placing their bets for the future.

The Swiss education system explained

This content was published on Jan 11, 2023 Ever wondered how the Swiss education system works? Then this graphic is for you.

Swiss universities are among the best in the world.

Studying in Switzerland: tuition fees, admission, and research explained

This content was published on Feb 19, 2019 Universities, universities of applied sciences, tuition fees and cutting-edge research: everything you need to know about studying in Switzerland.

Social security and Swiss pension system

Swiss social security is split into three ‘pillars’, to help retired people continue to finance their way of life after retirement.

Housing in Switzerland

Most people in Switzerland live in apartments. The key to finding one that’s right for you is knowing how the market works.

Insurance

Supplementary insurance can add additional coverage to standard policies for many scenarios, including the right to a private room in a hospital, more robust accident policies and coverage that remains valid when overseas. In addition, special groups often offer their own insurance to cover potential accidents that could befall their members. For instance, outdoor enthusiasts can…

Why is Switzerland’s higher education so good?

How many universities are there in Switzerland? How can students access them? Where do foreign students fit in?

Swiss Abroad community

The Swiss Abroad in nine charts

This content was published on Mar 28, 2025 The number of Swiss people living abroad continues to increase. Five charts explain their characteristics and geographic distribution.

Goodbye Switzerland, hello world!

This content was published on May 30, 2021 Around 30,000 Swiss men, women and children wave goodbye to Switzerland every year. But who are they, and where do they go?

What were your experiences of moving abroad?

Share your experiences with us.

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Nov 17, 2022

5 Likes

40 Comments

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Did you emigrate for financial reasons?

Did life in Switzerland become unaffordable for you? Is that why you emigrated?

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Nov 7, 2024

11 Likes

72 Comments

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Did you emigrate after retiring because you couldn’t make ends meet at home?

Each year, a certain amount of Swiss move abroad to avoid financial hardship. Are you one of them?

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Jan 11, 2024

330 Likes

154 Comments

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Have you married abroad as a Swiss citizen? What was your experience with the authorities?

Are you living in a mixed-nationality marriage? What experiences have you had with the registration/recognition of your marriage? Tell us.

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Sep 4, 2023

17 Comments

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Do the Swiss Abroad have enough power?

Should Switzerland liberalise or restrict the political rights of its citizens living abroad?

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Jan 31, 2023

82 Comments

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Cooks at work in the kitchen, pictured during a look behind the scenes at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfaeffikon, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, on March 31, 2014. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

Foreign Affairs

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

Swiss oddities

Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

Swiss cantons issue heat warnings

The additional costs that Switzerland will incur when purchasing the US F-35 fighter jet continue to be a concern.

Swiss Politics

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

Criminals are targeting Swiss car dealerships

French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

What were the circumstances of your immigration to Switzerland? And what motivated your decision to stay or leave?

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Apr 1, 2025

26 Likes

50 Comments

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Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

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Jun 13, 2025

23 Likes

17 Comments

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Would you work for your municipality or country for free?

The Swiss militia system gives many people political responsibility but no salary. Would that be something for your country?

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Apr 24, 2025

18 Likes

20 Comments

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Moving abroad made easy

Emigration advice

More

From CV to interview: how to apply for a job abroad

More

What you need to know to get a job abroad

More

Emigration: what steps should I take to leave Switzerland?

More

Moving abroad: a helpful checklist

More

Digital nomads: what to consider as a temporary Swiss Abroad

More

Everything you need to know to organize your move abroad

More

What you need to know to get a job abroad

Living abroad

More

From emigration to arrival: How to successfully integrate abroad

More

Culture shock: The four phases of emigration

More

How a small cooperative extends a lifeline to Swiss abroad

Banks and taxes

More

Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know

More

Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating

More

How do you deal with high banking fees for the Swiss Abroad?

More

Are neobanks the answer for the Swiss Abroad?

Health insurance and pensions

More

Emigration and pension benefits: how to save on taxes

More

Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?

More

Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know

Children and family

More

Emigrating with family: what to do if a child doesn’t want to move

More

Advice for Swiss families moving abroad

Votes and elections

More

Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections

More

How to vote from abroad as a Swiss citizen

Returning to Switzerland

More

Bringing a pet to Switzerland requires meticulous preparation

More

Unemployed abroad? Returning to Switzerland requires careful preparation

More

“Will I have to do military service when I return to Switzerland?”

More

Swiss Abroad: hurdles to studying in Switzerland remain

More

What is it like to work in Switzerland?

More

The Swiss education system explained

More

Studying in Switzerland: tuition fees, admission, and research explained

More

Social security and Swiss pension system

More

Housing in Switzerland

More

Insurance

More

Why is Switzerland’s higher education so good?

Swiss Abroad community

More

The Swiss Abroad in nine charts

More

Goodbye Switzerland, hello world!

More

What were your experiences of moving abroad?

More