LIVING IN SWITZERLAND 13.1 Safety and Quality of Life .................................................. 141 13.2 Relocation and Integration ............................................... 143 13.3 Renting an Apartment ...................................................... 143 13 13.4 Telephone, Internet, and TV ............................................ 144 13.5 Insurance .......................................................................... 145 13.6 Public Transport ............................................................... 145 13.7 Leisure Activities ............................................................... 145 13.8 Income and Cost of Living ................................................ 146 Image Lakeside promenade, Lugano Thanks to the excellent quality of life and the safe environ- 13.1 SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE Switzerland is a very safe country and offers an extremely high ment, life expectancy in Switzerland is among the highest in quality of life. Switzerland receives high scores, in both cities and the world. The unspoiled natural surroundings and highly rural regions, for important criteria such as income, healthcare, climate and geography, political stability, safety and security, indi- diverse cultural and recreational opportunities attract not vidual freedom, and family and community life. only many tourists but also qualified foreign employees. The Swiss cities of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern have for years Swiss households have an average monthly earned income occupied the top spots in global rankings of cities compiled by the of 7,566 Swiss francs, of which about 70% remains as global consultancy firm Mercer (see fig. 61). disposable income for consumption after deduction of social security contributions and taxes. Switzerland International Comparison of Quality of Life, 2017 (FIG. 61) therefore has the highest purchasing power in the world, despite relatively high prices. 1 Vienna, Austria 2 Zurich, Switzerland 3 Auckland, New Zealand 4 Munich, Germany 5 Vancouver, Canada 6 Düsseldorf, Germany 7 Frankfurt, Germany 8 Geneva, Switzerland 9 Copenhagen, Denmark 10 Basel, Switzerland 11 Sydney, Australia 12 Amsterdam, Netherlands 13 Berlin, Germany 14 Bern, Switzerland 16 Toronto, Canada 21 Luxemburg, Luxemburg 25 Singapore, Singapore 34 Dublin, Ireland 38 Paris, France 40 London, United Kingdom 41 Milan, Italy 44 New York, USA Sources: Mercer Survey, Quality of Living Rankings, 2017 LIVING IN SWITZERLAND 141 Everyone is guaranteed freedom of movement and safety – every- Personal Safety and Property Rights, 2017 where and at all times. There are relatively few large population 1 = Low, 10 = High centers or extensive monotonous and impersonal housing devel- (FIG. 62) opments. Children generally walk to school unaccompanied. The safe environment and the traditional discretion of the Swiss people 1 Finland 9.39 Finnland are widely valued. Even internationally known celebrities can 2 Denmark 9.23 Dänemark mostly move about in Switzerland without personal protection. 3 Switzerland 9.11 Schweiz 4 Norway 9.07 Switzerland acts like a magnet to qualified workers from abroad. Norwegen An international comparison of the most attractive countries has 5 The Netherlands 8.98 Niederlande ranked it number 1 for several years (see fig. 63) thanks to its stable 6 Singapore 8.92 Singapur economic and political climate, top-notch education system, and 7 Hong Kong SAR 8.89 Hongkong SAR high productivity. Its people also have high level of international 8 Canada 8.79 Kanada expertise and enjoy an excellent quality of life. 10 Austria 8.66 sterreich 12 Ireland 8.48 Irland 14 Germany 8.37 Deutschland 16 USA 8.30 USA 17 Luxembourg 8.28 Luxemburg 19 United Kingdom 8.02 Vereinigtes Knigreich 23 Japan 7.93 Japan 25 France 7.78 Frankreich 39 Italy 6.19 Italien 46 China 5.45 China 52 Russia 4.47 Russland 61 Brazil 3.71 Brasilien “Switzerland is the country of choice for Sources: IMD World Competitiveness Center 2017 qualified workers from abroad.” Recruiting and Retaining Highly Skilled Labor, 2017 Overall score 0–100 (FIG. 63) 1 Switzerland 100,00 Schweiz 2 Denmark 89.36 Dänemark 3 Belgium 83.80 Belgien 4 Austria 83.63 sterreich 5 Finland 83.18 Finnland 6 The Netherlands 82.86 Niederlande 8 Germany 79.87 Deutschland 10 Luxembourg 78.46 Luxemburg 12 Hong Kong SAR 77.90 Hongkong SAR 13 Singapore 75.63 Singapur 14 Ireland 75.46 Irland 16 USA 74.52 USA 21 United Kingdom 68.85 Vereinigtes Knigreich 27 France 65.76 Frankreich 31 Japan 61.45 Japan 36 Italy 58.38 Italien 40 China 53.00 China 43 Russia 50.87 Russland 51 India 42.20 Indien Sources: IMD World Talent Ranking 2017 13.2 RELOCATION AND INTEGRATION 13.2.2 Language Courses More than 10,000 foreign enterprises currently operate in or from Many Swiss citizens understand English and/or a second national Switzerland. Many of them often send foreign managers and language of Switzerland. In order to become integrated into Swiss specialists to Switzerland for short-term temporary stays to work as society, however, knowledge of the national language spoken in expatriates. There are specialized relocation agencies, expat groups, the particular region is a great advantage. Depending on the area, books, and websites designed to help these transferred employees the language may be German, French, Italian, or Romansh. The settle in and adapt quickly to life in Switzerland. fact that there are four national languages in Switzerland does not mean, however, that all Swiss people speak four languages. Moving to a foreign country raises many questions depending on one’s individual situation. Which school is the most appropriate? There are large numbers of private companies and individuals Where can you shop? How do we find a house? How high are the offering language courses tailored to every need. Public institutions taxes, duties, and other fees? There are competent, internationally also offer language courses in the respective national language, experienced consultants in all parts of the country who can give partly in conjunction with immigrant integration efforts. We recom- further assistance with these issues. Specialized relocation agencies mend searching the Internet or consulting the Website of the Swiss offer comprehensive packages that cover relocation issues and Federation for Adult Learning for courses. the initial orientation period in Switzerland. The Internet offers a www.alice.ch > Services > Finding further education wealth of information. A number of the cantonal economic devel- Swiss Federation for Adult Learning opment agencies also have their own online information platforms Languages: German, French that cater specifically to expatriates. www.ch.ch > Moving to Switzerland Moving to Switzerland 13.3 RENTING AN APARTMENT Languages: German, English, French, Italian Anyone interested in renting an apartment should contact the advertiser (often a professional property management company) 13.2.1 Moving and set up an appointment to see the apartment. If the apartment The personal effects of people moving to Switzerland (household meets your expectations, you are generally asked to fill out an ap- items, personal collections, animals, vehicles, etc.) can be imported plication form. This form includes information such as age, marital duty-free. The only requirement is that the imported items must status, profession or occupation, children, residential status, em- have been used personally abroad for at least six months and will ployer, salary, and pets. Applicants are often required to provide an continue to be used in Switzerland after arrival. In addition to a list abstract from the debt enforcement register as proof that they can of personal effects to be imported, the entry-point customs office pay the rent. This document can be obtained from the local debt must on arrival also be provided with an employment contract, enforcement office. rental agreement, or the de-registration certificate from the country of departure (for citizens from EU25/EFTA countries) or residence 13.3.1 Deposits and Rental Agreements permit (nationals of other countries). After entering Switzerland Tenants must often pay a certain amount in advance as a security you are obligated to register with the local residential authori- deposit. This may total up to three monthsʼ rent, which is depos- ties within fourteen days. To do so, the following documents are ited in a special bank account in the tenantʼs name. The deposit required: serves as security for the landlord. After moving out, the tenant receives the deposit back with interest. – A valid official identification document such as a passport or ID card (for each family member entering the country) Tenants have the right to move into a clean and usable property. – Confirmation of health insurance (proof of mandatory basic cov- The formal handover takes place before the new tenant moves erage). The period for registering with a Swiss health insurance in. The tenant and landlord inspect the condition of the property fund is three months, so confirmation of health insurance can together and record any defects in writing. also be submitted later. – A passport photo (for each family member entering the country) In general, tenants pay their rent monthly in advance for the next – Marital status documents (e.g. an excerpt from the register of month. Tenants mostly also pay additional costs for heating, hot births and marriages, marriage certificate, birth certificates for water or cable television, for example. Tenants receive monthly or children,