Moving to Switzerland from South Africa: Complete Guide

With an average life expectancy of 10 years higher than the global average,⁵ Switzerland’s high quality of life is just one of the many reasons it has long been known as one of the most desirable countries in the world for expats looking to relocate.

Which, of course, includes those interested in moving to Switzerland from South Africa.

If you’re tempted by the high standard of living (and even higher salaries) offered by this mountainous country in Central Europe, this article will act as a guide on everything you need to know about moving to Switzerland from South Africa. Including, how to apply for a Visa to gain residency, the average cost of living in Switzerland for South Africans, and how to open a bank account as a South African relocating to the country.

We will also briefly explain Wise, a money service provider that specialises in international money transfers⁴.

Moving to Switzerland from South Africa (quick facts

Currency	Swiss Franc (CHF)
Population	8.812 million⁶
Capital	Bern
Language(s)	Swiss German, French, Italian, Romanish
Weather	Mild climate - the areas north of the Alps are cooler, while south of the Alps benefits from the warmer southern European climate.
Number of expats	2.89 million⁷
Biggest cities	Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne
Average yearly salary	Full-time employees earned an average of 65,902 CHF (13,796,72 ZAR) for the tax year ending on 5 April 2022.⁸

Send money to South Africa from Switzerland using the mid-market rate

For South African expats living in Switzerland, the money service provider Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.

The majority of Swiss banks allow expats to make international transactions, however, they typically apply a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate which customers end up paying.

Unlike banks, Wise only uses the mid-market rate for international payments and applies just a small transparent fee¹.

This means that our bank alternative can help South African expats save money¹ when making overseas payments from Switzerland.

Visa types and requirements for South Africans looking to move to Switzerland

South Africans who want to move to Switzerland to work need a Switzerland work visa. This visa is one of the different Switzerland long-stay visas that are also known as national or D-visas.

It’s important to note that admitting foreign workers to Swiss employers is subject to various authorisations. Only when these authorisations are granted will the entry visa be granted.⁹

To apply for a Swiss work visa, you need to complete these steps in order:

1. Find a job in Switzerland
2. Complete your Swiss work visa document
3. Wait for your employer to apply for your Swiss residence permit
4. Apply for the Switzerland work visa in South Africa (details of the required documents can be found later in this article)

You need to submit your Visa application to the Regional Consular Center Southern Africa in Pretoria.¹⁰

If you have already obtained a Schengen visa in a neighbouring European country, South African nationals are also eligible for a Swiss G-Visa which allows you to commute to Switzerland to complete your work duties.

Cost of living in Switzerland for South Africans

The high salaries and quality of living in Switzerland come at a price: the cost of living in Switzerland is extremely high.

For example, the Swiss cities of Basel, Zurich, and Lausanne are ranked as some of the most expensive places to live in the world.¹¹

Below is the average cost of living in Switzerland per month.

Estimated monthly costs for a single person (without rent)	1,539 CHF (32,066 ZAR)¹¹
Average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre	1,674 CHF per month (34,878 ZAR)¹¹
Average monthly price of a one-bedroom apartment *outside *the centre	1,322 CHF (27,544 ZAR)¹¹

As expected, living outside of the cities in Switzerland is much cheaper. In fact, the recent revelation that a Swiss mountain village is offering families the equivalent of 1,144,722 ZAR to move there has got many people interested in moving to Albinen Switzerland…

…However, to take advantage of this offer, you need to have a Swiss C residence Visa. And to be eligible for this visa, you need to have lived in Switzerland for 10 years already.

How can South Africans open a bank account in Switzerland?

The Swiss economy is known for being extremely stable, and it isn’t difficult to open a bank account in Switzerland when relocating there.

It’s possible to open a Swiss bank account remotely. However, to complete this process, you’ll likely be asked to send the relevant documentation via post.

Whether you open a bank account in Switzerland remotely or in person, you will need to present the following documents.

• Proof of identity (valid passport)
• Proof of residence status (visa, residence or work permit)
• Proof of address (recent utility bills or official correspondence)

Depending on which bank you choose, you will likely be assigned an individual account manager to help you with your banking. If you don’t speak one of the four official languages in Switzerland, make sure to ask for an English-speaking contact in advance.

Maintenance fees and charges

Everyday bank accounts can also charge maintenance fees, for example, a monthly operating charge. There might also be an additional charge for withdrawing cash from an ATM outside your chosen bank network or making a transfer to another bank.

Any credit or debit cards come with an additional annual fee. Further to this, you might need to give a deposit equivalent to the monthly credit limit if you’re interested in taking out a credit card in Switzerland.

Be careful also not to sign up for a ‘numbered’ account when opening a Swiss bank account. This account charges a yearly operating charge of around CHF 2000 (41,713 ZAR) which can leave South African expats with a big hole in their pocket.

Wise Card

The Wise card automatically converts 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, so you can start spending in CHF. With a Wise multi-currency account⁴, South Africans moving to Switzerland can skip the long-winded process of setting up a Swiss bank account, and manage their money from the moment they step off the plane².

For those who prefer paying through their smartphone, the digital Wise card can be added to a mobile wallet; this allows you to pay in Switzerland with the local currency, avoiding exchange rate differences or hidden conversion fees.

South Africans Finding a job in Switzerland

Since the Swiss job market is known for regularly welcoming foreigners, many South Africans often opt for moving to Switzerland without a job. However, finding employment when they get there can sometimes be difficult.

The high Swiss salaries are reflected in the stiff competition for positions. Many international workers often head to major Swiss cities like Basel, Geneva, Bern, Lausanne and Zurich for more job opportunities. And since most jobs will likely be in German, brushing up on your language skills can also increase your chances of getting hired.

Below are some job websites that advertise job vacancies in Switzerland:

• Jobs.ch - available in English, German and French.¹²
• JobsinGeneva.com¹³
• The Local¹⁴
• JobsinZurich.com¹⁵
• Xpat Jobs Switzerland¹⁶
• Jobscout 24¹⁷

Requirements for professionals moving to Switzerland from South Africa

Swiss employers must first prove there is no suitable person to fill the position from Switzerland or from an EU/EFTA state.

Once they have done this, the entry visa is granted to the South African professional who will then need to provide the following documents:¹⁸

• Authorisation issued by the cantonal authority (original or copy)
• Valid passport
• Two recent photographs
• Copy of the date page passport

They also need to pay the visa fee, which amounts to 1'440.00 ZAR.¹⁹

Requirement for students moving to Switzerland from South Africa

Switzerland is a popular choice for South Africans looking to study abroad. In 2020-2021, around 26% of university students in Switzerland were foreign.²⁰

Students from South Africa can study in Switzerland for three months or less with a Schengen C Visa.

To apply for a Schengen C Visa, students need to submit the following documents along with their visa application:

• Visa costs (88 CHF /1971 ZAR)
• Valid passport/ID
• Proof of adequate financial resources
• Healthcare insurance
• Confirmation of course acceptance

For courses lasting longer than three months, South African students need to apply for a Swiss student D Visa.

To apply for a Swiss student D Visa, students need to submit the following documents along with their visa application:

• Visa costs (88 CHF / 1971 ZAR)
• Swiss residence permit (160 CHF / 3401 ZAR)
• Four passport-sized photographs
• Valid passport
• Letter of acceptance from Swiss university
• Proof of payment of registration and tuition fees
• Proof of adequate financial resources
• Proof of scholarship/loan (if required)
• CV
• Letter of motivation
• Commitment to leave Switzerland after completing studies

Make friends and socialise

An important part of living in Switzerland as an expat is making friends and socialising. However, given the stereotype that the Swiss are often introverted and somewhat distant, establishing a new friend group in the country can sometimes be a little harder than usual.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to meet new people in Switzerland. There are a few different ways you can chat with locals and find a home in the Swiss expat community:

• Online groups like meetup.com²¹ will connect you with people also interested in the same hobbies.
• Mobile apps like Bumble BFF²² join together people also looking for new friends.
• Hiking Facebook groups like Outdoors in Switzerland²³ are great for finding friends who love hiking and outdoor sports - both very popular hobbies in the country.
• After-work drinks are an easy way to get to know your new colleagues better.
• Joining a club is a guaranteed way to make new friends outside of work. Especially since almost half of Swiss adults are active members of a club.

Healthcare in Switzerland

Another important aspect of living in Switzerland is accessing healthcare. The Swiss healthcare system has been ranked the 10th best healthcare in the world and is a common reason many make the move.²⁴

However, the Swiss healthcare system isn’t free. It’s also compulsory to take out health insurance when relocating to the country.²⁵

Even with health insurance, you will still likely need to pay for some additional fees. This might be to access certain health services or pay for a portion of annual treatment costs.

For example, most people will have to pay:

• A standard daily fee if admitted to hospital (15 CHF / 318 ZAR)
• The first 300 CHF (6375 ZAR) towards your treatment per year - this is the ‘deductible’ and can be higher or lower depending on your insurance premium
• 10% of your treatment costs over the deductible, up to a maximum of 700 CHF (14875 ZAR) or 350 CHF (7437 ZAR) for those under 18 years old

Is it worth moving to Switzerland from South Africa

There are a number of pros and cons to moving to Switzerland from South Africa. The table below provides a brief summary.

Pros	Cons
Switzerland has one of the highest percentages of foreign residents in the world.²⁶	For non-language learners, Switzerland’s four official languages might prove difficult. Especially since multilingualism is an important part of Swiss identity.
Unemployment levels are extremely low in Switzerland.	Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world.
Switzerland has a stable economy, with traditionally low inflation and a good investment climate.²⁷	The Swiss are stereotypically introverted, making it more difficult to meet new people and build meaningful connections.
The Swiss healthcare system has been voted one of the top 10 in the world.	Finding a job in Switzerland can be hard, with considerably more applicants than positions available.
Swiss weather is mild, and part of Switzerland benefits from the warm climate in Southern Europe.	Applying for a work visa is more difficult if you’re not part of the EU or an ETUC member.

If you’re considering moving to Switzerland from South Africa, there are a number of important things to consider. In particular, how easy it is to find employment in Switzerland, and how to manage your finances in the country.

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When it comes to money management, Wise is a great alternative to money service providers or even other multi-currency accounts for both local and international⁴ payments.

Join Wise!

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Sources

1. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
2. Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
3. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
4. Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
5. _https://data.who.int/countries/756 _
6. Population stats
7. Population stats
8. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/data/oecd-employment-and-labour-market-statistics/average-annual-wages_data-00571-en
9. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/south-africa/en/home/visa/entry-ch/work-permits.html
10. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/south-africa/en/home/visa/entry-ch/work-permits/where-to-apply-work-permits.html
11. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings.jsp
12. https://www.jobs.ch/de/
13. http://www.jobsingeneva.com/
14. https://www.thelocal.ch/jobs/
15. http://www.jobsinzurich.com/
16. https://switzerland.xpatjobs.com/
17. https://www.jobscout24.ch/de/
18. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/south-africa/en/home/visa/entry-ch/work-permits.html
19. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/south-africa/en/home/visa/entry-ch/work-permits/fees-work-permits.html
20. Higher education
21. https://www.meetup.com/find/switzerland/
22. https://bumble.com/en/bff
23. Switzerland outdoor activities community
24. https://www.prosperity.com/rankings
25. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-switzerland
26. Foreigners in Switzerland
27. Swiss economy