Why not move to Switzerland

Last updatd: January, 2024

Moving to Switzerland does not only mean finding yourself living in an advanced country with good salaries and a high quality of life. There are cons, even heavy ones, that should not be underestimated.

Cost of living: the cost of living in Switzerland is very high, among the highest in the world. One of the main costs is the roof over one's head, whether renting or buying, prices are high.
Health insurance: health insurance is compulsory and can be quite expensive, from case to case. You can easily spend 150 CHF for less than 10 minutes' chat with a doctor.
Bureaucratic complexities: in order to move to Switzerland, there are a number of documents and permits required, which can make the relocation process complicated. I advise you to ask the HR department of the company that hires you for help, surely they will be able to give you at least a little help, or directly to someone who already lives in Switzerland.
Language barrier: Switzerland has four official languages (German, Italian, French and Romansh), depending on the region you move to, you may need to learn a new language. In Ticino, Italian is sufficient, but beyond the borders of the canton, German is spoken and at the very least you need English to communicate.
Cultural differences: it can be difficult to adapt to cultural differences, which include everything from social norms to culinary traditions. Supermarkets close much earlier than in Italy and you can hardly find anything open on Sundays, for example.
Integration difficulties: due to cultural differences, it can be very difficult to integrate, even years later. The Swiss, especially the older ones, are rather closed-minded and making friends can be more difficult than expected.
Car costs: owning and maintaining a car in Switzerland can be expensive, due to taxes, the cost of insurance and fuel, which in recent years has become more expensive than in Italy. The problem can be solved or at least alleviated by using public transport. But it has to be said that it is nice to drive in Switzerland, the roads are well made and the landscapes...you know.
climate: the climate can be cold and snowy, especially in winter, which may not be suitable for everyone. In addition, it rains very often in some regions. In Ticino, the summer is quite hot, with peaks as high as 35 or 36° and a lot of humidity around the lakes. An air conditioner, useful in both summer and winter, is not a bad idea.
Risk of poverty in retirement: there are concerns about the possibility of risking poverty in retirement.
Minimum wages and subsidies: although Switzerland has high average wages, it is not very clear how subsidies and minimum wages work, especially for foreign workers. One would have to do a lot of research.
Family costs: starting a family is expensive, there are no special allowances for married couples and children entail high costs during youth, always exceeding 4-digit figures every month.