Integration in Switzerland
Your move from abroad to Switzerland or Zurich will have raised a series of logistical and administrative questions. We are here to help you break down these barriers and to make the right decisions for your family in terms of Housing, Family, Finance and Insurances, Taxes as well as Language and Culture.
Houses in Switzerland are built to last forever. As a result, buying property can be very expensive and it is common for Swiss residents to rent a house or apartment. We recommend that foreign professors and their families rent furnished ETH Zurich objects called Gastdozentenwohnungen, since it is very difficult to obtain an object on the open market within reasonable time and before the relocation. Please contact Dual Career Advice if you are interested in this possibility. In addition, we are happy to arrange a meeting for you with the professional apartment agencies.
Housing Office of University / ETH Zurich
On the website of the Housing Office of University / ETH Zurich, you find ads posted by private landlords. These offers are exclusively reserved for members of ETH and the University of Zurich. Register there and search for the ideal house or apartment to rent. The main objective of the database consists in providing cheap lodgings for students. However, there are also attractive apartments specifically meant for professors to rent. As long as you have no nethz username yet, you may register as ?incoming student“ to profit from unlimited access to all ads posted.
From a Swiss perspective, Zurich is a large city. Yet, it is an easily comprehensible place with high living standards, where families feel comfortable. It is a safe city surrounded by nature and it prides itself on unique childcare offers and an outstanding education system, which carefully promotes the integration of children who do not speak German. In addition, there is a wide range of private and international schools in and around Zurich, completing the already highly diversified range of offers.
Foundation for childcare at the University and ETH Zurich
In the summer of 2002, the external page kihz Foundation was established jointly by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. Please consult their informative website for any information regarding childcare services in Zurich itself or within the canton.
The team of the kihz will be happy to advise you.
Day care centres in the greater Zurich area have the problem of long waiting lists. It is therefore highly recommended to put your child’s name on one or several of the waiting list(s) as soon as possible. The Dual Career Advice office is able to help you more efficiently regarding the two ETH centres.
ETH Zurich has set up a dedicated central service point for all ETH parents: Hello Kids!
Schools System
The international move will raise questions regarding insurances and finances. We explain the Swiss social security system and show you how you may best provide for your family and yourself. Please refer to the website of the Welcome Center.
Professors receive individual counselling from the Head of the Dual Career Advice office, namely on the 1st and 2nd Pillar of the pension plan as well as on possible additional insurances during the first five years of employment. Employees of ETH Zurich are insured by the Swiss federal pension plan PUBLICA; the corresponding pension plan (German version only) applies to professors.
Switzerland and Zurich in particular typically ranks amongst the most expensive countries and cities when it comes to cost of living. But Switzerland and again Zurich in particular also ranks number one or two when it comes to quality of living and according to the external page OECD Better Life Index also holds a top rank when it comes to life satisfaction.
Taxes are levied on three levels in Switzerland: the Federal Government levies taxes on the income. This federal tax goes with a uniform tax rate. The 26 cantons and the some 2,400 municipalities levy taxes also on the income and, additionally, on the asset. Tax rates are different in each canton and municipality; this is typical for the federalist structure of Switzerland. Therefore, where you live defines the amount of taxes you have to pay. Compared with the rest of Switzerland and other countries, taxes in the canton of Zurich may be considered moderate.
The Statutory Assessment is applied to Swiss citizens and professors with a Swiss type C permanent resident permit.
It bases on an annual self-declaration. The amount of tax payable by the end of the year is assessed annually based on the tax return submitted and is billed to the taxpayer.
An international move may be complicated and a logistical challenge; however, experience shows that the many contact points at ETH Zurich and the city itself help to make such a relocation a rather smooth and elegant endeavour. It seems to be much more difficult to approach Switzerland’s language and culture. Hereby, it is decisive that you and your family learn to speak German so that you truly feel at home in Switzerland.
Zurich is among the cities with the highest quality of living: enjoy and explore our little big city!
