Canton of Basel-Stadt Welcome. VARIED CITY OF THE ARTS Basel’s innumerable historical buildings form a picturesque setting for its vibrant cultural scene, which is surprisingly rich for THRIVING BUSINESS LOCATION CENTRE OF EUROPE, TRINATIONAL such a small canton: around 40 museums, AND COSMOPOLITAN some of them world-renowned, such as the Basel is Switzerland’s most dynamic busi- Fondation Beyeler and the Kunstmuseum ness centre. The city built its success on There is a point in Basel, in the Swiss Rhine Basel, the Theater Basel, where opera, the global achievements of its pharmaceut- Ports, where the borders of Switzerland, drama and ballet are performed, as well as ical and chemical companies. Roche, No- France and Germany meet. Basel works 25 smaller theatres, a musical stage, and vartis, Syngenta, Lonza Group, Clariant and closely together with its neighbours Ger- countless galleries and cinemas. The city others have raised Basel’s profile around many and France in the fields of educa- ranks with the European elite in the field of the world. Thanks to the extensive logis- tion, culture, transport and the environment. fine arts, and hosts the world’s leading con- tics know-how that has been established Residents of Basel enjoy the superb recre- temporary art fair, Art Basel. In addition to over the centuries, a number of leading in- ational opportunities in French Alsace as its prominent classical orchestras and over ternational logistics service providers are well as in Germany’s Black Forest. And the 1000 concerts per year, numerous high- also based here. Basel is a successful ex- trinational EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse- profile events make Basel a veritable city hibition and congress city, profiting from an Freiburg is a key transport hub, linking the of the arts. Basel also has a unique den- excellent transport infrastructure and its region with Europe and the world. 2000 sity of modern architectural masterpieces location at the heart of Europe. Finally, years after the area was first settled, and that draw visitors from around the world: Basel has become Switzerland’s second 500 years after it joined the Swiss Confed- Herzog & de Meuron, Renzo Piano, Zaha most-important financial and insurance eration, Basel-Stadt is a dynamic, cosmo- Hadid, Richard Meier and many more have centre, after Zurich. All these factors con- politan and highly productive city. made their mark on the city. tribute to Basel’s high standard of living. EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION OFFICIAL WEBSITE The public school system in Basel ensures The website www.basel.ch offers a wealth that education is tailored to the needs of QUALITY OF LIFE AND of useful information about Basel as a children of all abilities. The international SAVOIR VIVRE business location, an attractive place to schools provide the children of ‘expats’ live and a diverse cultural metropolis. with international certificates and a bac- Switzerland is considered one of the most calaureate. Eleven years of obligatory beautiful, clean and safe countries in the schooling, several institutions of higher ed- world. In Basel, a beautiful old town centre ucation, and the oldest university in Swit- stands in contrast to impressive contem- zerland provide the high level of education porary architecture. The numerous gardens so important to Basel as a centre of re- and parks are complemented by superb rec- search. Over the past three decades, a ver- reational facilities. There is a wide range of itable research hub has grown out of the leisure opportunities, including a varied and substantial investments in research made sophisticated restaurant scene, and people by the successful pharmaceutical and shop for bargains in Basel and across the chemical companies. The close coopera- border in France and Germany. Distances tion between industry, the university and are short, public transport is excellent, the the state – in certain areas, a trinational city centre caters to the needs of pedes- cooperation with France and Germany – trians, and many residential areas are safe has led to much innovation in the Basel from dangerous road traffic. All these fac- area. A number of Nobel Prize winners are tors contribute to a sense of well-being in testimony to this. the city. CONTENTS SWITZERLAND Switzerland’s Strengths 5 Geographic Location, Climate, Population, Structure 6 Economy 7 Political System 8 Switzerland in the World 8 Further Information 9 BASEL More Than One Basel 11 Basel’s Strengths 11 Geography, Climate and Population 12 Political System 12 What’s Typical in Basel? 14 Further Information 15 VIBRANT BASEL The Start of the Year 17 Carnival 17 Spring Approaches 18 Spring Delights 18 Summertime – Holiday Season 19 Late Summer – Festival Season 19 An Autumn Full of Culture and Sports 20 Winter – Sports Events and Christmas Cheer 20 Further Information 21 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Gateway to the World, Gateway to Switzerland 23 The English-Speaking Community 23 English Life in Basel 24 Further Information 25 CONTENTS LIVING IN BASEL SHOPPING WORKING CONDITIONS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAXES Metropolitan Basel 27 Browsing the Shops 47 Basel-Stadt and Its Outlying Municipalities 27 Top Destination for Luxury Brands 47 Working in Switzerland 73 Basel-Stadt and Its Urban Neighbourhoods 28 Attractive Fairs and Markets 47 Social Security 73 Buy or Rent? 29 Taxes in the Canton of Basel-Stadt 74 Safe and Clean 29 Further Information 75 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Initiatives for the Future of Basel-Stadt 30 The Little Ones Come Out on Top 49 Further Information 31 MOVING TO SWITZERLAND Leisure Activities for Children 50 Before You Arrive 77 Further Information 51 ARTS AND CULTURE Entering Switzerland 77 Moving to Basel 77 City of the Arts 33 BUSINESS LOCATION Books about Living and Working Museums and Galleries 34 in Switzerland 78 Importance 53 Art Is Everywhere 34 Further Information 79 World-Class Research 54 Theatre 35 Fast-Growing Sectors 54 Music 35 Economic Policy 56 Art Education and New Media 36 PRACTICAL INFORMATION Attractive Employment Opportunities 56 Architecture 36 Information and Registration Offices Further Information 57 Further Information 37 in Basel-Stadt 81 Payment Transactions and Shopping 81 EDUCATION Miscellaneous 82 LEISURE State School 59 Important Telephone Numbers 84 Excursions in and around Basel 39 Public-Sector Schools 59 Addresses of Embassies and Consulates 84 Restaurants 40 International Schools 61 Further Information 85 Nightlife 40 Private Schools 62 Further Information 41 University and Higher Education 62 HISTORY OF BASEL Further Information 63 History of Basel 87 SPORTS Professional Sports 43 HEALTH AND INSURANCE Mainstream Sports 43 APPENDIX Health System 65 Promoting Sports 44 Canton of Basel-Stadt in Figures 90 General Insurance Policies 66 Further Information 45 Further Information 67 TRANSPORTATION Ideal Location and Infrastructure 69 International Connections 69 Freight Transport and Transit 69 Getting Around Switzerland 70 Getting Around Basel 70 Further Information 71 CONTENTS 2_3 © Valais/Wallis Promotion SWITZERLAND At the heart of Europe, between the river Rhine and the Alps, lies the landlocked country of Switzerland. With its German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic speaking population, the country is a microcosm of Europe’s cultural diversity. Welcome to Europe. Welcome to Switzerland. Switzerland’s Strengths At the heart of Europe Free market economy, good labour High salaries, high productivity Switzerland is surrounded by three of Eur- relations, high educational standards In terms of income, assets and per capita ope’s major – and most populous – coun- Political stability is also expressed in an gross national product, Switzerland ranks tries: France, Germany and Italy. For thou- economic system that manages to balance among the top in the world. The resulting sands of years, the region has been a busy a free market economy with social respon- excellent standard of living is also based trade route, both from east to west as well sibility. Strikes are very rare in Switzerland. on the high level of education and corres- as from north to south. Today, Switzerland In combination with a deeply rooted work ponding work ethic: As a rule, people work is an indispensable part of the European ethic and high educational standards, this 42 hours per week. Taxes are compara- transport network and boasts a superb social harmony represents one of Switzer- tively low, both for businesses and for in- motorway and railway infrastructure. Five land’s key advantages as a place to do busi- dividuals. Corporate taxation as well as the international airports in Zurich, Geneva, ness and has made a major contribution to rate of value added tax are among the low- Basel, Bern and Lugano offer direct links its economic development. est anywhere in the world. to destinations around the world. Strong currency, banking system Safe, clean and beautiful Political stability Stability, a well-developed sense of service All these factors make Switzerland a safe Switzerland is a popular place to do busi- and discretion, and a strong currency have country with a low crime rate. The Swiss ness, a centre of education and a favourite turned Switzerland into a leading financial value being tidy and clean, which is why travel destination. At the heart of this suc- centre. From a historical perspective, the recycling is popular. Add to this a rich cul- cess story lies a stable political system. fact that the country was not involved in tural variety and a beautiful scenery, and The country has not gone through any ma- the two world wars has contributed to this you get a quality of life that is hard to beat. jor political changes since the foundation development. It is a country with few nat- of the federal state in 1848. This has cre- ural resources, so the strength of its ex- ated space for economic, social and artis- port industry has also played a significant tic development.