Switzerland encourages with its high earnings and standard of living. Although it does not belong to the European Union, every EU citizen can easily find a job there. A lot of people are considering this direction of emigration, which is why we have decided to describe the working conditions and earnings in Switzerland, and what can be expected when taking a job there. We hope that our article will help in making the right decision!
Staying in Switzerland – what is worth remembering?
First of all, we must remember that Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but belongs to the Schengen area. This means that entry into this country is not subjected to additional formalities. A stay of up to 3 months is possible on the basis of a passport or an ID card.
However, if the purpose of going to Switzerland is to work for more than 90 days, we must obtain the appropriate permit. The employer submits the application to the cantonal office for a permit. Only after obtaining the consent of the office, the employee may apply for a work visa.
Work / entry visa
After receiving the above-mentioned permission, you must apply for a work visa. Such applications are processed at the Swiss Embassies.
The application should be accompanied by:
- work permit in Switzerland
- original and a copy of a valid passport
- photos
- visa fee (CHF 57)
Citizens of the European Union should not have a problem with obtaining a similar work permit (and later a visa), it is only a formality. In addition, immediately after arrival (up to 14 days) it is necessary to find an apartment and make a registration.
How to obtain Swiss citizenship? – Necessary information
Jobs in Switzerland – the best paid professions
The Swiss labor market is in demand for specialists and professionals in the construction industry, engineers and trustees. What’s more, the salary paid in these positions is enough to settle permanently in this country. Below we present a list of the highest paid professions in Switzerland. Who is the easiest to find a job in Switzerland?
- Engineers
- Trustees
- Technicians
- IT professions
- Human medicine and pharmacy
- Technical specialists
- Legal professions
- Technical drafting professions
- Professions in the chemical industry and plastics processing
- Professions related to the metallurgical industry and mechanical engineering design and construction.
These are the most profitable professions in Switzerland. In addition, there is a steady demand for employees in these industries. Jobs in these sectors are almost guaranteed!
Important! When taking up a job in Switzerland, knowledge of German (and also English) language is essential. It will be very difficult to find a job without the required foreign language.
Bank account in Switzerland – how to open it?
Working conditions in Switzerland
Working time should be rigidly defined in the employment contract, and depends on the arrangements with the employer and the industry in which you work. Swiss law sets a maximum working time of 45 hours per week for office workers, industrial workers and salespeople. For the rest of the industries, this limit is 50 hours per week. Regardless of the position held, you need to get prepared for a longer stay at work.
Flexible working time
Many employers, especially in the manufacturing industry, offer flexible working hours. The day is divided into several shifts, for which employees can freely dispose of. The first shift starts at 7:00 at the earliest. It is also worth knowing that working at nights and on Sundays is generally prohibited, with the exception of e.g. doctors and policemen.
Overtime in Switzerland
In Switzerland, it is clearly defined in every employment contract, our hourly working time. You can work overtime as long as your total working hours do not exceed the legal weekly norms. Overtime is usually paid at 125% of the rate, or is “paid back” as a day off.
Earnings in Switzerland
In the Swiss employment law, there is no specified required minimum hourly rate. The employee and the employer determine the amount of salary individually.
This does not mean that employees are exploited and their pay is low, on the contrary! Swiss employees enjoy the highest earnings in Europe, and according to some studies – even in the world! In addition, it is common for paying out the so-called “thirteen”, i.e. an additional salary at the end of the year.
| Position | Amount of an average monthly salary |
| Waiter / waitress | CHF 4000 / EUR 4030 |
| Cleaning | CHF 3500 / EUR 3526 |
| Builder’s assistant | CHF 4000 / EUR 4030 |
| Roofer | CHF 5500 / EUR 5541 |
| Plumber | CHF 5200 / EUR 5238 |
| Electrician | CHF 5500 / EUR 5541 |
| Truck driver | CHF 5500 / EUR 5541 |
| Welder | CHF 5600 / EUR 5641 |
| Bricklayer | CHF 5500 / EUR 5541 |
| Caretaker of elderly people | CHF 4500 / EUR 4533 |
| Fitter | CHF 5500 / EUR 5541 |
| Harvest of fruits / vegetables | CHF 3500 / EUR 3526 |
| Nanny | CHF 2500 / EUR 2519 |
Switzerland – where to look for a job?
More and more job offers in Switzerland appear on the europa.jobs portal. It is worth using our search engine and available search filters, to find an offer tailored to your preferences.
Check current job offers in Switzerland on europa.jobs!
In addition, you can find a job in Switzerland through such portals as:
Fixed cost of living in Switzerland
Assuming that a person works and lives permanently in Switzerland, monthly expenses can be extracted:
- Renting an apartment – on average around CHF 1800-2000 (EUR 1813-2015). This is the amount we will pay for a studio apartment or a small 2-room apartment.
- Serafe – CHF 335 (approx. EUR 338) per year. It is a mandatory radio and television subscription. Regardless of whether there is a TV or a radio in the apartment, we have to pay.
- Tax – an average of around CHF 850 (approx. EUR 856). The amount may vary because the tax percentage varies from canton to canton (ranging from 4.5% in the canton of Zug to 16% in Neuchâtel).
- Health insurance – approx. CHF 400 (EUR 403). Every resident should have health insurance, regardless of whether they work or not.
- SIM card, Internet – for the cheapest package (1-3 GB) we will pay about CHF 25-30 (about EUR 26-31). In addition, you have to pay CHF 20 for activating the sim card (one-time payment).
- Swiss ‘Half Fare Card’ – CHF 120 per month (EUR 121). This ticket entitles to a 50% discount on all types of public transport.
Check Public transport in Europe – how does it work?
