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Thinking of a fresh new start? Moving to Switzerland from Australia is an exciting life change, but like all changes, it requires planning. Our guide covers everything you need: from moving costs and visa options to job opportunities, taxes, and settling into Swiss life.
| Shipping Method | Costs (AUD) | Duration |
| 20ft Container Sea Freight | $6,000 – $8,500 | 8-12 weeks |
| 40ft Container Sea Freight | $10,000 – $14,000 | 8-12 weeks |
| Air Freight | $4,000 – $6,000 per m³ | 1-2 weeks |
*Disclaimer: The costs are mere estimates, but can change based on weight, distance, volume, and route.
Requesting your free removal quotes is the best way to get accurate cost estimates. By filling out our form, you can receive up to five free moving quotes instantly. Before requesting your quotes, we recommend you calculate your volume with our furniture removal calculator.
| Expense | Cost in Australia | Cost in Switzerland |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $ 25.00 | $ 47.11 |
| Cappuccino | $ 5.36 | $ 9.30 |
| 12 eggs | $ 6.64 | $ 11.33 |
| 1kg of Chicken | $ 13.00 | $ 51.07 |
| Monthly Bus Pass | $ 150.00 | $ 150.75 |
| 1L Gasoline | $ 1.82 | $ 3.41 |
| 1BD rent in the city center | $ 2,125 | $ 3,117 |
*Source: Numbeo
Switzerland is known to be one of the world’s most expensive countries, which can sound frightening at first glance. However, the high average salaries and excellent quality of life will more than make up for it.
Living in smaller cities like Lucerne or Bern can reduce your living expenses up to 30%, compared to the bigger cities such as Zurich.
Before moving to Switzerland, you’ll need to make sure you apply for the right kind of visa. You can apply for one through the Embassy of Switzerland.
Below, we have arranged an overview of the possible visas to apply for:
| Visa Type | Purpose | Key Requirements |
| Work visa | Employment or self-employment | Job offer, employer sponsorship |
| Study visa | University, exchange | Admission letter, financial proof |
| Family reunification | Join spouse/parent | Legal family tie, resident sponsor |
| Youth Mobility | Work & travel (up to 12 months) | Age 18–35, Australian citizen |
You will be considered a tax resident if you live in Switzerland for 30+ days while working, or for 90+ days not working. Switzerland taxes most tax residents on worldwide income, but for Australians, there is a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) in place to prevent double taxation.
Switzerland is known for its international job market, an easy-to-integrate environment, and high salaries. The income tax rate is lower than in most other European countries, between 10% and 30%.
We have listed the best industries for Australians looking for a job:
The best places to look for a job in Switzerland:
After securing a job and your visa, you’ll need to set up a few more things upon your arrival in Switzerland.
Here is our arrival checklist when moving to Switzerland:
Life in Switzerland, much like Australia, is very focused on nature and activities like hiking, skiing, and biking.
The main languages are German, French, and Italian. The culture is characterized by respect for privacy, rules, punctuality, precision, and order.
Switzerland has both private and public education possibilities. The public education in Switzerland is free for all residents, while private education can cost between AUD 34,000 and AUD 59,500 per child.
For internationals in Switzerland, choosing a private school is the most common option, since they offer international curricula like the American, IB, and British curricula, while the public side is often taught in German or French.
Switzerland has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Having a valid health insurance is required for all residents, and you must apply for one within 3 months of moving.
The costs of private healthcare (recommended for internationals) are listed below:
We hope that you found this article helpful and complete. If you still have questions left, have a look at our FAQs and related articles.
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