Living and Working in Zurich

The tiny paradise in the heart of Europe – Zurich is among the cities with the highest quality of living in the world. In Switzerland’s largest city, urban charm meets pure, unadulterated nature.
Summer in Zurich, View on the River Limmat

The Lifestyle: What It Is Like to Live in Zurich

Zurich is clean, has an excellent infrastructure, and offers first-class shopping opportunities – not to mention one of the best healthcare systems worldwide. But what really sets the city apart from the rest is the combination of unspoilt nature, urban flair, and cultural wealth.

Consequently, you can live your life in Zurich just as you please: morning jogs along the glittering lakeshore, leisurely brunches in one of the cozy cafés, shopping trips along the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse, relaxing afternoons with the family in one of the verdant city parks, or exuberant nights out in one of the trendy bars.

Nature & Sport

Zurich offers the largest range of leisure activities in Switzerland, and the surrounding nature is just a few minutes away. But there are also plenty of green spaces directly on the doorstep – with numerous parks and the Sihl and Limmat rivers that flow through the city.

Art & Culture

Zurich is home to a lively and dynamic cultural scene. With a wealth of museums, art galleries, music festivals, and theaters that can be visited all year round, Zurich is a veritable melting pot of cultures.

Cuisine & Nightlife

No other Swiss city has such a high density of restaurants, cafés, and clubs as Zurich. Here, culinary delights from all over the world go hand in hand with a lively nightlife.

Mobility & Trips

It is really easy to get around in Zurich. Short distances and an efficient transportation system invite you to explore – whether in the city or further afield on an excursion into the surrounding region.

Family Life in Zurich: Education & Childcare

As part of Switzerland, Zurich boasts one of the world’s best education systems, which means you will find excellent schools for your children here. Numerous districts, such as Kreis 7 or Kreis 11, also offer a child-friendly infrastructure, with plenty of green spaces, playgrounds, and short distances to school.

There are 9,500 childcare places available in the city of Zurich. Parents looking for childcare outside the family can contact the relevant authority in the place where they live to obtain financial support if required.

Municipal Daycare Centers and Houses for Children with Special Needs
More About Childcare Outside the Family

Working Life in Zurich

Zurich offers the highest salaries, both nationally and internationally. At the same time, the tax burden remains moderate: high tax rates only apply to very high incomes. The average tax burden in Switzerland is between 15 and 25% – in contrast to the 40–50% that is common in Germany.

Zurich is also home to the largest labor market in Switzerland, with secure jobs and progressive working conditions. The city’s international environment creates diverse career and training opportunities, making Zurich a desirable place to work for people from all over the world.

More About Salaries in Switzerland

The Cost of Living: an Overview

Living costs in Zurich are high – especially for rent and public transportation. On lohncomputer, you can obtain an overview of the potential fixed costs, and also make use of a helpful budget calculator.

However, rental prices vary greatly: while you can easily pay over CHF 2,000 for a two-room apartment in the city center, prices for apartments in more rural areas in the vicinity are cheaper. On the other hand, the above-average salaries in Zurich help to offset the high cost of living.

Expats in Zurich

Zurich is a magnet for international companies, which is also reflected in the population structure: 30% of residents have their roots abroad. Our neighbors from Germany make up the largest group of expats. Many Germans notice that Swiss culture differs from their own – the Swiss are often more reserved and less direct.

The biggest challenge in everyday life, however, is the language: High German is used for writing, while Swiss German is spoken. But there is no need to worry – you will quickly get used to the Swiss dialect, and if you have problems communicating, the Swiss are happy to switch to High German.

Additional Useful Information

Foreign Nationals Working in Switzerland Relate Their Experiences