Living in Switzerland: What to expect as a UK expat in 2025

Life in Switzerland

Maybe you’re just in the early stages of picturing yourself living in Switzerland or maybe you’re already there and just want a deeper understanding of the area to help you settle – and honestly – who can blame you? With a vast amount of natural beauty such as pristine lakes and mountain framed cities, it’s not a surprise that more and more brits are making the big move.

In this article we will delve into what its really like living in Switzerland in 2025 – we will cover day-to-day living and cultural quirks so that you’re able to seamlessly settle in.

If you’re still weighing up the idea – our complete guide to moving to Switzerland from the UK – is the perfect place to start your relocation journey.

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Is living in Switzerland Right for you?

Switzerland often tops global lists for great quality of life, safety, and beautiful breath-taking landscapes – this isn’t to say that it’ll be the perfect fit for everyone though! Before you go packing your bags and booking your move with us – let’s take a realistic look into whether or not you’ll be suited to a new life in Switzerland.

What you’ll likely love:

Breath-taking Scenery, every single day.
Incredible public services – the trains run like clockwork and the healthcare is world-class
Safety & Stability – There are incredibly low crime rates and political neutrality will mean peace of mind.
Work-life balance – The Swiss are well known for their high levels of productivity. As a result, they fiercely protect their downtime.

Potentially drawbacks:

Cost of living is high – especially in major cities like Zurich and Geneva, you can definitely expect some premium prices on every single purchase you’ll make out there.
Cultural reserve – The Swiss are very polite and private… great but…. this is probably going to make it a lot harder to make deep local friendships and build a sense of community in your new homeplace.
Rules really matter – From recycling protocols to Sunday noise laws! There isn’t a lot of leeway on this.
Potentially language barriers – depending on where you’re from and where you plan on going you may struggle. English is common but daily life also involves German, French or Italian depending on where about you are located.

Still unsure? We recommend that you check out our full guide on Moving to Switzerland from the UK — it’s a great first step for anyone still weighing things up. OR read about how Switzerland stacks up against other top destinations

What is the cost of living like in Switzerland in 2025?

Housing Costs 🏠

City	1-bed (city centre)	1-bed (outside centre)
Zurich	CHF 2,500 (~£2,250)	CHF 1,900 (~£1,710)
Geneva	CHF 2,400 (~£2,160)	CHF 1,800 (~£1,620)
Basel	CHF 2,000 (~£1,800)	CHF 1,600 (~£1,440)
London (UK)	~£2,000	~£1,600

Groceries & Essentials 🛒

Item	🇨🇭	UK 🇬🇧
1L Milk	CHF 1.65 (~£1.47)	£1.00
Bread (500g)	CHF 2.80 (~£2.49)	£1.30
Dozen Eggs	CHF 5.30 (~£4.72)	£2.50
Bottle of Wine	CHF 14.00 (~£12.46)	£7.00
Public Transport monthlyPass	CHF 75–100 (~£67–90)	£80–150 (varies by city)

Utilities 💡

Service	🇨🇭	UK 🇬🇧
Electric, heating, water (85m² flat)	CHF 200–250	£150–200
Internet (month)	CHF 45–70	£25–40

Eating Out 🍽

Meal Type	Switzerland 🇨🇭	UK 🇬🇧
Meal at inexpensive restaurant	CHF 25–30 (~£22–27)	£12–15
Three-course for two (mid-range)	CHF 100–120 (~£90–110)	£50–70

As you can see – it is certainly expensive. Don’t forget that salaries are significantly higher than the UK to balance things out.

Job	Avg UK Salary (£)	Avg Swiss Salary (CHF)	CHF to £
Software Dev	£45,000	CHF 110,000	~£98,000
Nurse	£35,000	CHF 75,000	~£67,000
Primary School Teacher	£38,000	CHF 90,000	~£80,000
Civil Engineer	£42,000	CHF 105,000	~£94,500
Finance Analyst	£50,000	CHF 120,000	~£108,000
Retail Worker	£25,000	CHF 55,000	~£49,500

The salaries are clearly quite good in Switzerland! It is important to note that Salaries will vary based on experience, region, and company – but in general, you can expect a notable boost across the board.

More than just money. Let’s discuss Swiss culture.

Switzerland has far more to it than just clean streets and high incomes – it has some extremely deep-rooted values and interesting routines. You’ll be expect to assimilate into this way of living if you plan to remain here long-term.

Time is money – it’s sacred

The Swiss are absolutely obsessed with punctuality. If you are late to something (even just by a few minutes) this wont just be frowned upon – it’s considered incredibly disrespectful. This is a benefit though, you can expect everything to function on a timely manner, everything is taken seriously.

Friendly… but very distant.

You may find yourself missing loud pub banter, especially if you’re hailing from the UK, or a casual chat in a queue at the shops. Friendships do not come by fast.

Sundays are for silence. It’s taken very seriously.

A very interesting thing to note about Switzerland that not many people know is that Sunday is a legally protected day of rest. Everything will be closed and there are noise protection laws – You can read more about this here

Food is local and simple

Food can cost a small fortune, but the Swiss supermarkets are full of fresh local produce and the quality is consistently great.

Odd cultural quirks and strange rules

There are a few things that you might find to be unexpected when moving to Switzerland from other parts of Europe. For instance, dog training is the law even if you’re an experienced dog owner.

Another interesting fun fact about Switzerland is that most apartment buildings have cleaning rotas for the stairways. Whilst many might see these things as peculiar, if you frame your mindset and outlook differently – it becomes obvious as to why Switzerland is such a highly efficient and well-functioning country!

European Removals

At EuromoveDirect, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive and reliable European removals services that cover the entire continent. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or a fresh start, our extensive network and experienced team ensure that your move is smooth, stress-free, and fully supported from start to finish.

Our coverage spans all major European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and beyond. From bustling cities to quiet countryside towns, we have the resources and logistics in place to handle moves of all sizes and complexities. Whether it’s a full household relocation or just a few items, we tailor our services to suit your needs.

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Why do so many people choose to partner with EuromoveDirect?

There is a lot to like about us at EuromoveDirect. We are very proud of the services that we provide to our customer-base.

We specialise only in European relocation services, especially between the UK and Switzerland which helps to ensure fewer delays and better logistics. This is great for you; due to our extensive experience you can rest assured that we know what we are doing.

Our customers love our clear communication and transparency -there are absolutely no hidden fees at any given point of the move – and no confusing jargon.

We treat every move as if it was for our own, going above and beyond with personalised support.

Finding a place to live in Switzerland

Whether you’re drawing to city living in the likes of Zurich or you’re more inclined to opt for a chalet in the Alps, Switzerland has a wide variety of housing options. However.. the rental market has proven to be competitive and expensive – especially in the more popular areas.

Things to know:

Short supply, high demand – when it comes to housing – many locals tend to stay in the same place for years, which means few properties become available.
Application packs are a thing – it’s common to submit a full dossier – including proof of income, rental references from previous landlords and sometimes even a cover letter.
Renting is very common – Buying property as a foreigner is possible but can be complicated and expensive – the majority of expats rent long-term.

Tip! Sites such as homegate.ch, comparis.ch, and immoscout24.ch are great places to start your housing search for when you are living in Switzerland.

Healthcare and Insurance in Switzerland

Switzerland’s healthcare system is top-tier — but it’s also mandatory and privately run.

Key points:

Health insurance is required within 3 months of registering your Swiss address.

Insurance is private, but basic coverage is regulated and must include essentials.

Monthly premiums average CHF 250–400, and you pay out of pocket for part of your treatment (called the franchise or deductible).

You can compare providers and prices on sites like comparis.ch. Employers rarely cover your insurance, so it’s important to factor this into your cost of living early on.

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