Moving to Switzerland from USA: Everything you need to know

Switzerland consistently ranks among the world's happiest and safest countries, with universal healthcare, many outdoor activities, and a stable economy that attracts Americans seeking a higher quality of life.

Moving to Switzerland from the USA requires careful planning, but many Americans have successfully made the transition.

Here's everything you need to know about visa requirements, housing options, healthcare systems, and Swiss living costs to help you navigate one of the world's most desirable—but exclusive—expat destinations.

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Table of contents
Quick facts about Switzerland Visa options for Americans in Switzerland Cost of living in Switzerland Opening a bank account in Switzerland Getting accommodation in Switzerland Healthcare system in Switzerland Best cities to live in Switzerland as an expat Is it safe to live in Switzerland?

Quick facts about Switzerland

Switzerland is quite different from the US.

For example, most Swiss residents rent rather than own their homes, and living spaces tend to be smaller than those in typical American houses. The entire country also has universal healthcare that's not tied to your job, but you'll still pay monthly premiums just like in the US.

Here are some quick facts about the Swiss society:

Capital	Bern
Language	German, French, Italian, and Romansh
Population	8.9 million¹
Currency	Swiss Franc (CHF)
Government type	Federal republic
Religion	Christian majority (Catholic and Protestant), with a growing secular population
Weather	Temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers
Tax treaty	Yes²

Overall, Swiss people value precision, punctuality, and quiet. The cost of living is among the world's highest, but salaries often reflect this reality, and Switzerland's economy is very stable.

Visa options for Americans in Switzerland

To stay in Switzerland long-term, Americans need a long-stay visa. Switzerland doesn't make it easy, and the government carefully controls who gets residency, especially for non-EU nationals.

Generally speaking, US citizens can get Swiss long-stay visas through a Swiss employer, study, family reunification, or retirement. There's also a Golden Visa program, but it requires a significant financial investment every year.

After living in Switzerland for 5 years, Americans can get a permanent Swiss residence permit (Swiss Permit C).³

Swiss work visa

To get a Swiss work visa, you need to land a job with a Swiss employer. Your role needs to be highly skilled, such as a doctor, an engineer, an IT specialist, or a finance professional. You'll also need relevant education credentials and experience to qualify.

Your employer handles most of the paperwork, but you'll still need to provide documents like your passport, diploma certificates, and a clean criminal record.

Swiss study visa³

Swiss universities have relatively affordable tuition, around 1,300 to 1,600 CHF per year at public institutions. Naturally, this attracts many American students, since higher education in the US is much more expensive.

Once you're accepted to a Swiss school, you can apply for a student visa that covers your entire study period. You'll need to prove you have at least 21,000 CHF in your bank account to cover living expenses, plus admission letters and health insurance.

Family reunification

If you're married to a Swiss citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for family reunification. You'll need to prove that your relationship is genuine, so expect to show marriage certificates and evidence of having a strong relationship.

Retirement visa

Switzerland allows Americans over 55 to retire there, but you need substantial financial resources and existing ties to the country.³ You must prove you won't work in Switzerland and have enough money to support yourself without relying on social services.

The connection to Switzerland can be previous residence, Swiss ancestry, owning real estate there, or other meaningful ties.

Switzerland Golden Visa⁴

Switzerland has a Golden Visa program for wealthy Americans who want to relocate. There are two main options: the lump sum tax arrangement or the entrepreneurial investor scheme.

Under the lump sum tax option, you pay a predetermined annual tax starting at around 200,000 CHF per year, though some cantons can require 600,000 CHF or more annually. You can't work on your Golden Visa, so you also need to be able to support yourself independently.

The entrepreneurial investor route requires establishing a Swiss company or investing at least 1 million CHF in an existing Swiss business. This option allows you to work and manage your investment.

Cost of living in Switzerland

The cost of living in Switzerland is high. On average, it's 66% higher than in the US, with rent, groceries, and restaurants all costing significantly more.⁵

However, the local purchasing power in Switzerland is also 14.6% higher, which means that Swiss salaries often help offset the living costs, but you'll still need to budget carefully.⁵ If you're moving to Switzerland for a job, negotiate your salary with these realities in mind.

Here's a snapshot of what you can expect:

Expense	Approximate cost (USD)⁶
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	32 USD
Meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant	126 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre	2,027 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city centre	3,680 USD
Basic utilities	269 USD
Internet	61 USD
Phone plan	43 USD
International school (yearly for 1 child)	35,963 USD
Toyota Corolla Sedan (or similar new car)	41,096 USD

The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,805 USD, excluding rent. For a family of 4, living costs go up to a whopping 6,606 USD per month in addition to rent.⁶ However, you may be able to live on a lower budget outside of major cities like Zurich and Geneva.

Public schools in Switzerland offer excellent education, but instruction happens in the local language, such as German, French, or Italian, depending on the region. So, your children will need to learn the local language to succeed in the public system.

International schools conduct classes in English or use a bilingual model, but they can be quite expensive—35,963 USD per year, per child, on average.⁶

Opening a bank account in Switzerland

As long as you're staying in Switzerland long-term with a proper visa, you should have no problem opening a Swiss bank account. Most major banks like UBS, Credit Suisse, and PostFinance have experience with American clients.

To start the process, you'll need to visit a branch in person and show documents like:

• Valid passport
• Swiss visa or residence permit
• Proof of Swiss address (rental contract or utility bill)
• Employment contract or proof of income
• US Social Security number and tax ID
• Birth certificate (sometimes required)

Depending on the bank and your situation, you may need to show other documents, too.

You'll also need to complete forms declaring your US taxpayer status under FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act). Swiss banks automatically report your account information to the IRS, as required by law.

Tax implications for Americans in Switzerland

As a Swiss resident, you'll need to pay Swiss taxes on your wordwide income at federal, cantonal (state), and municipal levels.

However, as an American citizen, you also still have US tax obligations, even if you don't live in the US anymore. You must continue filing US tax returns every year, including your Swiss salary and any other income you receive from anywhere in the world.

That said, the US-Switzerland tax treaty helps prevent paying full taxes to both countries. Typically, you can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit to minimize the amount of taxes you pay in the US, if any.

But filing US tax returns is mandatory regardless of whether or not you end up paying anything to the IRS.

Getting accommodation in Switzerland

In contrast with the US, many Swiss citizens rent their entire lives. The rental market is quite fast, and it shouldn't be too hard to find accomodations, as long as you're ready for Switzerland's high prices.

💡 Here's where you can search for a rental:
Rentola Homegate ImmoScout24

Housing costs drop outside of major cities. For families, this price difference can mean thousands of CHF in monthly savings, though you'll need to factor in commuting costs and time.

Before you move permanently, you may want to visit Switzerland and rent an Airbnb apartment for a couple of weeks to get a sense of different neighborhoods and figure out where you want to live.

Healthcare system in Switzerland

Switzerland has a universal healthcare system that's not tied to your job. Every resident must purchase health insurance within 3 months of arrival, and it isn't optional.³

You'll pay premiums directly to a private insurance company, averaging 400 to 600 CHF monthly.³ Insurance companies like Helsana, CSS, and Sanitas offer different plans, but all must provide the same basic coverage mandated by law. Your employer doesn't contribute.

The system covers all medically necessary treatments, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and emergency care. Dental care and some alternative treatments aren't included in basic coverage but can be added through supplementary insurance.

Best cities to live in Switzerland as an expat

Zurich

Zurich draws Americans working in banking, insurance, and tech companies. It's an efficient city, and your kids can attend prestigious international schools, though they will be costly. There are many restaurants, and the city is beautiful.

However, some Americans end up in Zug or other nearby towns, commuting to Zurich for work, to find more affordable housing.

Geneva

Geneva is home to many people from all around the world, and you'll likely hear conversations in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic while walking down the streets. It's a very safe city, but the cost of living can be quite high.

Basel

Basel attracts Americans working for pharmaceutical companies or biotech startups. The expat community here is smaller than in bigger cities like Zurich and Geneva, but you'll still find quite a few Americans here.

Is it safe to live in Switzerland?

Yes, Switzerland is one of the world's safest countries. Many American families move here because they're concerned about crime rates back home. Violent crime is extremely rare.

Women can walk alone at night in major cities without concern, and children commonly travel to school by themselves from a young age. Police are professional and approachable, though you'll rarely need their services. Even in larger cities like Zurich and Geneva, petty crime like pickpocketing are uncommon compared to other European countries.

The bottom line

Moving to Switzerland from the USA gives you a high quality of life, but in return, you'll need significant financial resources. Many Americans immigrate through employment contracts, but you need to be highly skilled in an in-demand field to land a job offer.

The living costs are high, but so are the Swiss salaries. Your healthcare isn't tied to your job, the crime rates are extremely low, and your children will likely grow up multilingual.

Overall, if you can afford it, Switzerland is a wonderful destination for an international move.

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Sources

1. Worlddometer - Switzerland Population
2. IRS - Switzerland Tax Treaty Documents
3. Taxes for Expats - Moving to Switzerland from the US
4. Get Golden Visa - Swiss Golden Visa
5. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Switzerland
6. Numbeo - Cost of Living in Switzerland

Sources checked 09/26/2025