High salaries, mesmerising landscapes, and exceptional quality of life
From its snow-capped mountains to its vast lakes, Switzerland’s geographical positioning in the heart of Europe makes this country the perfect hub for top global companies. Although small in size, the country is an economic model with the second highest GDP per capita in the world.
Besides its internationally renowned education system, Switzerland also comes out on top for personal and financial security, being ranked as one of the safest and stablest countries in the world.
With the country topping international rankings for life satisfaction, education, and accessible and affordable healthcare, it’s not just the flag that’s ‘a big plus.’
It’s easy for expatriates to set up businesses and even easier for them to open up bank accounts. However, certain complications can arise from complex labour regulations and applicable tax schemes as they can vary considerably between different cantons and municipalities. Partnering with a Switzerland PEO partner such as Procorre Global can help simplify this process so your business can start to benefit from this country’s economic prosperity.
Working in Switzerland
Switzerland possesses one of the most efficient financial systems in the world. With generous salaries, Switzerland offers expatriates a high standard of living.
Public Holidays
Public holidays vary a lot in Switzerland, with each canton setting their public holidays independently. August 1st is Swiss National Day and Switzerland’s only national public holiday.
There are also eight additional public holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Ascension Day
- National Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Working Hours
According to the Federal Statute on Employment, contractually agreed working hours are 40-42 hours per week, with a maximum 45-50 hours.
Taxes
Tax returns must be completed by the 31st March for federal taxes.
The income tax brackets are as follows (please note these may change each year):
0%: 0-6,700 CHF
2%: 6,700-11,400 CHF
3%: 11,400-16,100 + 94 CHF
4%: 16,100-23,700 + 235 CHF
5%: 23,700-33,000 + 539 CHF
6%: 33,000-43,700 + 1,004 CHF
7%: 43,700-56,100 + 1,646 CHF
8%: 56,100-73,000 + 2,514 CHF
9%: 73,000-105,500 + 3,866 CHF
10%: 105,500-137,700 + 6,791 CHF
Holiday and Sickness Allowances
The healthcare system in Switzerland has a global reputation for being outstanding.
Employees over the age of 20 receive 4 weeks of paid holiday whilst under 20s receive 5 weeks.
Switzerland also has the longest paid sick leave allowance in the world, however, this amount depends on the length of employment. During the first year of employment, employers are entitled up to 3 weeks. There is also the option of taking out a daily benefits insurance scheme where employees can receive 80% of their last salary for up to 720 days.
Maternity/Paternity Allowances
Mothers receive 80% of their wages in the form of a daily allowance for 98 days and fathers are entitled to 14 days.
Visas
The Swiss National visa (D-visa) allows the holder to work in the country for the duration that the visa is issued. As is the case for many other countries, the process of applying for a work visa depends on various factors and different rules apply for EU/EFTA citizens than to non-EU/EFTA citizens.
Cultural information
Switzerland is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Therefore, its immense cultural diversity makes it an extremely popular location for expats. This country has a reputation of being punctual, efficient, and welcoming.
It has four official languages: Swiss German (Spoken by over 60% of the population), Swiss French, Swiss Italian, and Romansh, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population.
Switzerland’s primary religion is Roman Catholicism followed by Protestantism. Its religious landscape has shifted considerably over the last few decades with an increasing number of Swiss residents belonging to no religion as well as new communities that practice different faiths.
The Swiss Market - Did You Know?
- As well as hosting some of the best skiing resorts in Europe, Switzerland has over 7,000 lakes.
- Switzerland boasts an impressive number of Nobel Prize laureates, a testament to their strong work ethic.
- The country was voted Most Innovative Country in the World, according to The Global Innovation Index.
- This alpine country is also the leading consumer of chocolate in the world. The average Swiss person eats around 11 kilograms of chocolate per year- no wonder they’ve been ranked one of the happiest countries in the world!
Switzerland PEO Services
High salaries, mesmerising landscapes, and exceptional quality of life
From its snow-capped mountains to its vast lakes, Switzerland’s geographical positioning in the heart of Europe makes this country the perfect hub for top global companies. Although small in size, the country is an economic model with the second highest GDP per capita in the world.
Besides its internationally renowned education system, Switzerland also comes out on top for personal and financial security, being ranked as one of the safest and stablest countries in the world.
With the country topping international rankings for life satisfaction, education, and accessible and affordable healthcare, it’s not just the flag that’s ‘a big plus.’
It’s easy for expatriates to set up businesses and even easier for them to open up bank accounts. However, certain complications can arise from complex labour regulations and applicable tax schemes as they can vary considerably between different cantons and municipalities. Partnering with a Switzerland PEO partner such as Procorre Global can help simplify this process so your business can start to benefit from this country’s economic prosperity.
Working in Switzerland
Switzerland possesses one of the most efficient financial systems in the world. With generous salaries, Switzerland offers expatriates a high standard of living.
Public Holidays
There are 12 public holidays in Switzerland, with each canton setting their public holidays independently:
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Ascension Day
- National Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Working hours
According to the Federal Statute on Employment, contractually agreed working hours are 40-42 hours per week, with a maximum 45-50 hours.
Taxes
The income tax brackets are as follows (please note these may change each year):
0%: 0-6,700 CHF
2%: 6,700-11,400 CHF
3%: 11,400-16,100 + 94 CHF
4%: 16,100-23,700 + 235 CHF
5%: 23,700-33,000 + 539 CHF
6%: 33,000-43,700 + 1,004 CHF
7%: 43,700-56,100 + 1,646 CHF
8%: 56,100-73,000 + 2,514 CHF
9%: 73,000-105,500 + 3,866 CHF
10%: 105,500-137,700 + 6,791 CHF
- Tax returns must be completed by the 31st March for federal taxes.
Holiday and sickness allowances
The healthcare system in Switzerland has a global reputation for being outstanding.
Employees over the age of 20 receive 4 weeks of paid holiday whilst under 20s receive 5 weeks.
Switzerland also has the longest paid sick leave allowance in the world, however, this amount depends on the length of employment. During the first year of employment, employers are entitled up to 3 weeks. There is also the option of taking out a daily benefits insurance scheme where employees can receive 80% of their last salary for up to 720 days.
Maternity/paternity allowances
Mothers receive 80% of their wages in the form of a daily allowance for 98 days and fathers are entitled to 14 days.
Visas
The Swiss National visa (D-visa) allows the holder to work in the country for the duration that the visa is issued. As is the case for many other countries, the process of applying for a work visa depends on various factors and different rules apply for EU/EFTA citizens than to non-EU/EFTA citizens.
Cultural information
Switzerland is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Therefore, its immense cultural diversity makes it an extremely popular location for expats. This country has a reputation of being punctual, efficient, and welcoming.
It has four official languages: Swiss German (Spoken by over 60% of the population), Swiss French, Swiss Italian, and Romansh, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population.
Switzerland’s primary religion is Roman Catholicism followed by Protestantism. Its religious landscape has shifted considerably over the last few decades with an increasing number of Swiss residents belonging to no religion as well as new communities that practice different faiths.
The Swiss Market - Did You Know?
- As well as hosting some of the best skiing resorts in Europe, Switzerland has over 7,000 lakes.
- Switzerland boasts an impressive number of Nobel Prize laureates, a testament to their strong work ethic.
- The country was voted Most Innovative Country in the World, according to The Global Innovation Index.
- This alpine country is also the leading consumer of chocolate in the world. The average Swiss person eats around 11 kilograms of chocolate per year- no wonder they’ve been ranked one of the happiest countries in the world!
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Procorre (UK) Ltd, 1 Temple Quay, Bristol, England, BS1 6DZ. Company Number: 07644727
