Zurich 1st and Geneva 3rd in Mercer's 2024 ranking, a median full-time wage of CHF 7,024 a month, 8,500 permits for third-country nationals in 2026 and a quality of life ranked 8th of 31 by expats: what Switzerland offers and how to prepare.
In brief
Switzerland offers stability, safety and high wages: 5th in the Global Peace Index 2025, Zurich 1st and Geneva 3rd in Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living ranking, a median full-time gross wage of CHF 7,024 a month (FSO, 2024) and a quality of life that expats rank 8th of 31 countries in the 2026 Expat Insider survey, where Switzerland is 22nd overall, up from 29th in 2025. The price of that quality is cost: Zurich is 1st in Numbeo's 2026 cost of living index. For non-EU citizens the Federal Council set 8,500 permits for third-country nationals in 2026, 4,500 B and 4,000 L, unchanged from 2025. The move suits specialists with a job offer and families who value order and nature. Checked on 7 November 2026 from search summaries; the permit route for your passport must be confirmed with the cantonal authorities.
What moving to Switzerland gives you
- Safety. Switzerland is 5th in the Global Peace Index 2025, right after Austria in the same list.
- Quality of life that is recognised. Zurich was 1st and Geneva 3rd in Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living ranking. In the Expat Insider 2026 survey Switzerland is 8th of 31 for quality of life.
- High wages. The Federal Statistical Office reports a median gross full-time wage of CHF 7,024 a month in 2024, CHF 7,502 in the Zurich region and CHF 5,708 in Ticino. There is no federal minimum wage, and Geneva has the highest cantonal one at CHF 24.59 per hour from 1 January 2026. According to one source, a professional on CHF 130,000 gross keeps about CHF 7,360 a month after tax, pension and health insurance.
- A direction that is improving. In the 2026 Expat Insider survey Switzerland moved up from 29th to 22nd place overall.
- A stable, international job market, including the Zug area known as Crypto Valley for blockchain companies, a general fact that we have not re-checked here.
- Beautiful, safe nature a short train ride from every city, with mountains and lakes that are part of normal life.
What to prepare for
- Cost of living. Zurich is 1st in Numbeo's 2026 cost of living index, with a score of 118.5 without rent and 97.1 with rent, and Numbeo's figures quoted by Expatica put a family of four at CHF 5,940 a month without rent and a three-bedroom flat in the centre at CHF 5,184. The practical fix is to compare salary and costs together: wages are also high, so the question is the balance, not the price tag. Use the cost of living comparison.
- The permit quota. For third-country nationals the 2026 quota is 8,500 permits, 4,500 B and 4,000 L. The quota is not always used up: 74% of the third-country permits were used by the end of 2024, and 41% of B and 37% of L by the end of July 2026 according to one mid-2026 update. The fix is an employer who files the request and a strong qualification.
- The national D visa route. For stays over 90 days non-EU citizens use a national D visa after cantonal pre-approval, as our checklist explains. Start early: processing times in the sources range from 2 weeks to 12 weeks.
- Making friends. More than half of Expat Insider respondents in Switzerland say that their friends are mostly other expats, and local media call life there beautiful but hard to break into socially. The fix is to join clubs, sports and hiking groups, take a language course and use international communities in the first months.
- Insurance and registration. Registration at your commune is required within 14 days, and basic health insurance within three months, so keep your documents ready. Details are in the first 30 days in Switzerland checklist.
- Banking. A Swiss bank account is easy for most newcomers with a permit, but reports of closures for Russian clients exist, so open your account early and keep your income documents ready. See the resident bank account guide.
Who it suits
- Specialists who already have an offer from a Swiss employer, particularly in fields that the quota system supports.
- Families who want safety, strong schools and nature, and who can plan a higher budget.
- Remote professionals and entrepreneurs who can settle through a cantonal approval, with the route confirmed individually.
- People who value stability and quiet daily life over a quick, cheap start.
Who may prefer another country
- If you need a low-cost start, southern Europe or the Caucasus can be a gentler first step. Use the self-test for choosing a country.
- If you want a residence route through property, Switzerland is not the fastest: foreign buyers face restrictions (Lex Koller), and a purchase does not give a permit. See the comparison of countries that give residence through property.
- If you cannot start without a Swiss job offer, Austria may be easier to plan: should you move to Austria.
Your first 90 days
- Before you go: confirm the route for your passport with the Swiss authorities, collect diplomas and certified translations, and agree your contract and start date with the employer.
- Month 1: registration at the commune within 14 days and health insurance, a bank account and a longer rental. The first 30 days in Switzerland checklist goes step by step, and health insurance and doctors after moving explains the system.
- Month 2: settle into the neighbourhood, test the commute and join a local club or sports group. Read relocating abroad with family and schools and education when relocating if you have children.
- Month 3: compare your real budget with the plan, and think about taxes with tax residency when relocating. A trial stay before you commit is a safe way to test the move.
How a property purchase fits
Most newcomers rent first. When you consider a purchase, remember that foreign buyers face restrictions (Lex Koller), so check what applies to your permit before you plan. Start with what you can buy in Switzerland for CHF 300,000-1,500,000, the best areas to buy and the most expensive, smallest and unusual properties. If you hold crypto, read buying property in Switzerland with crypto. A purchase does not replace a residence route.
Where to go next
The decision framework is in should you move abroad: pros and cons and how to decide. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
FAQ
Is Switzerland worth the cost? For many people yes, because wages are high too: the median full-time gross wage was CHF 7,024 a month in 2024. Compare your own salary with the costs, since Zurich is 1st in Numbeo's 2026 cost of living index.
Can a non-EU citizen get a permit? Yes, within quotas: 8,500 permits for third-country nationals in 2026, 4,500 B and 4,000 L, and the quota is not always fully used. The practical route is through an employer and a cantonal approval, so confirm your case with the authorities.
Is it hard to make friends? Expat surveys say it takes effort: more than half of respondents say their friends are mostly other expats. Clubs, sports and language courses are the simplest start.
Can I buy a home to get a permit? No. A purchase does not give a residence permit, and foreign buyers face restrictions (Lex Koller). Build the residence route first.
How do I test the move? Plan a trial stay of several weeks to months, test the commute, health insurance and the bank account, and then decide. The trial-year article gives a plan.