Mentor Talent’sGuide to Relocating to Zurich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is one of the leading global cities in the world. Zurich is a major hub of finance, research, tech, and development.
If you are reading this, we assume that you are thinking of or have received an offer of employment in Zurich. This guide will give you a run-down of all the things you need to know about relocating to Zurich.
Getting Started:
Before relocating to Zurich, there are a number of things that you will want to consider:
1. Accommodation
2. Bank Account
3. Tax Number
4. Cost of Living
5. Visas
6. Other– Overview of the city, healthcare, transport and useful websites.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation in Zurich is competitive, so be prepared and start searching as soon as possible. Rent in apartments in Zurich is high, so it is highly recommended that you start your search early, online if possible to have accommodation sorted upon your arrival in Zurich.
An option for those unsure of searching for property on their own, or want to streamline the experience can visit www.spotahome.com and they will provide you with the help you need looking for a new place to call home. Just visit the website and input your search, you can then take one of their virtual tours and see what the place is like and check out the landlord policies.
When you make a reservation on a property, that property stays blocked until the landlord responds to your request (up to 24hours). Once the landlord accepts, your payment method will automatically be charged. This is where you pay the first payment of the property as well as a small fee for the websites expenses.
They will then put you in direct contact with your landlord via email, so you can arrange a time to collect keys, move in time, and transfer any documents that have been requested by the landlord.
For more information visit their website.
UsefulLinks:
Rental Prices:
Asof 2018, please see the rental prices of an apartment in Zurich:
Averagecost of 1 Bed apartment in Zurich City Centre – CHF 1,772
Averagecost of 3 Bed apartment in Zurich City Centre – CHF 3,348
Roomsfor rent around Zurich can vary between – CHF 650-1,650
Sources:https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Zurich
Supporting Documents:
When looking to rent you will be asked for the following documents, so have them ready when you begin your search to avoid any delays:
· Copies of Photo ID, Permits and Visas
· A bank statement/ CreditReport/ Tax ID
· Proof of employment – Usually your contract
· A letter of reference from your previous landlord
Fees, Keys and Deposits
Utilities:
The typical deposit you should expect to pay upfront is equivalent to between 1-3 months’ rent, which you should receive back on the expiry of your lease. Any more than this should raise suspicions.When paid, you should then agree on a mutually suitable time and place with your landlord to pick up your keys and move in. It is highly advisable to have a written Tenant’s Agreement, in the event of any future disagreements with your landlord.
Make sure you are clear of which (if any)utilities are included in the property. The landlord should be able to give youa good indication of how much you should expect to pay in utilities.
Bank Account
Opening a bank account upon arrival is one of the most important things you should do. This will be used for your employer to pay you, and for you to pay rent/bills etc.
Most popular banks in Switzerland:
· UBS Group AG
· Credit Suisse Group
· Raiffeisen Group
· Zürcher Kantonalbank
Tax Number
If you are living and working in Switzerland, you will typically be liable to pay taxes in the country. In Switzerland, two unique number codes are used when determining who is liable to pay taxes, these are the UID number and the VAT identification number. The Swiss tax system is complex due to the federalist structure of Switzerland. There are 26 cantons and around 2,250 municipalities that levy their own income taxes, wealth taxes, inheritances taxes, and other taxes. Swiss residents as well as temporary residents employed in Switzerland are subject to unlimited (worldwide) tax liability, with tax treaty provisions prevailing.
For more information: https://www.expatica.com/ch/finance/Taxes-in-Switzerland_101589.html
Cost of Living
Please see below for the cost of living in Zurich, as of September 2018.
Source:https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Zurich
Visas
EU/EEA:
Citizens of member states of the EU/EEA do not require a visa when coming to Switzerland for periods up to 90 days. A longer stay would require an application for a residence permit if planning to stay longer than 90 days.
Citizens of all other states:
Many citizens of other states will need a visa to enter Switzerland. You will need to obtain a visa prior to entering Switzerland, if you wish to stay for longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a residence permit. You can also apply for a work permit, which allows you to work in Switzerland, your prospective employer must apply to Swiss authorities for a work visa on your behalf before you can begin to work in Switzerland.
Formore information: https://www.internations.org/switzerland-expats/guide/working-in-switzerland-15505
Other
Overview of Zurich –
Quick Facts:
· Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, with a population of 409,241.
· Zurich is home to the largest church clock face in Europe.
· In Zurich you’ll never be short of a place to drink, the city has over 1,200 drinking fountains!
· Every year, Zurich hosts the Street Parade – The largest techno street party in Europe.
· Lake Zurich is one of the largest lakes in Switzerland, covering an area of 88.66 square kilometres.
Healthcare
There is no state-provided health service, but private health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland (for more than 3 months). This health insurance covers the cost of medical treatment and hospitalisation. However, the insured person However, the insured person pays part of the cost of treatment. This is done in one of two ways – by means of an annual deductible(called the franchise), which ranges from CHF 300 to a maximum of CHF 2,500 for an adult as chosen by the insured person, or by a charge of 10% of the costs over and above the excess up to a stop-loss amount of CHF 700.
Transport
Public transport is extremely popular in Zurich, and its inhabitants use public transport in large numbers. About 70% of the visitors to the city use the tram or bus, and about half of the journeys within the municipality take place on public transport. Within Zurich, the ZVV network of public transport has traffic density ratings among the highest worldwide. Three means of mass-transit exist – The S-Bahn (local trains), trams, and buses (both diesel and electric). In addition, the public transport network includes boats on the lake and river, funicular railways and even a cable car. Tickets purchased fora trip are valid on all means of public transportation (train, tram, bus, boat).
For more information: https://www.zuerich.com/en/visit/public-transport-in-zuerich
Useful Websites
Finally we would like to leave you with some links to some websites you might find helpful. You can click on the links below which we hope provide you with even more useful information.
https://www.internations.org/zurich-expats/guide
http://www.easyexpat.com/en/guides/switzerland/zurich.htm
http://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4590/104/Switzerland/Expats-in-Zurich-5-Tips-for-Living-in-Zurich,-Switzerland