Got 2 new gigs: Munich (520Euro/day) or Zurich (650CHF/day)

**northernladuk** · 12 March 2014, 16:21

Zurich is very expensive but to help your research here are all the threads on the two cities mentioned...

Personally I would be out to Zurich like a shot. My brother in law works out there and is having a blast. Forget which is best financially. Live a little and explore. You got the rest of your life to worry about the bottom line.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=zu...sm=93&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=zu...ntractoruk.com

**oracleslave** · 12 March 2014, 17:13

I worked in Zurich for a year. Dullest (and most expensive) place I have ever had the misfortune to contract and that includes my time in Burton Upon Trent and Derby.

I'd definitely got to Munich.

**stek** · 12 March 2014, 17:54

Originally posted by oracleslave View Post

I worked in Zurich for a year. Dullest (and most expensive) place I have ever had the misfortune to contract and that includes my time in Burton Upon Trent and Derby.

I'd definitely got to Munich.

But not for 550€!

**BlasterBates** · 13 March 2014, 18:54

Very similar really, Switzerland has lower taxes but more deductions so you're looking at 69-70% take home in Switzerland and 65% in Germany. Things are more expensive in Switzerland so what you gain in take home you spend anyway. Munich has a much bigger contractor market than Zürich, and is generally more fun than Zürich. I love bavarian restaurants fantastic feelgood factor in a bavarian restaurant as opposed to the extremely expensive rather sterile Swiss restaurants and bars.

If you're looking for short term I don't think it matters, you can find some meetups in Zürich where you can meet s few people, but I would say Munich offers a better long term future, much easier to settle there and you don't have go begging for your C-Permit.

Both places are near the mountains so no difference there.

**jamesbrown** · 13 March 2014, 19:44

Concur with the others on Munich. Nicer overall atmosphere and place to live IMO. Similar rates, but you'd probably be significantly better off in Munich after living costs, especially if you like to explore and eat out. Good luck.

**darrylmg** · 14 March 2014, 09:30

If you choose Munich, start looking for a place to stay now!
It's lovely and not too expensive to eat and drink, but to pay for accommodation is expensive and difficult to find.

**Magpie252** · 17 March 2014, 14:05

Originally posted by budrul View Post

-Is really Zurich that expensive? I am single.

In a word, Yes - Zurich was listed as the 4th most expensive city in the world: BBC News - Singapore named the world's most expensive city

Originally posted by budrul View Post

-Is it possible to work as contractor in CH, after some years, what do I need to do? get B permit?

You will need to work through a Swiss employment agency & pay Swiss tax, you'll get an L permit for the duration of your contract, your agent should help you with that

Try here for accomodation in Switzerland: homegate.ch | Immobilien, Wohnung, Wohnungen oder Haus suchen und finden. good site with English option
As a single person, work out your current expenditure on eating/drinking out etc & at least double that number to maintain the same lifestyle in CH

**sunflower** · 18 March 2014, 21:08

Zurich is expensive but I hear Munich has high costs for a flat and it's just as difficult to find a place in both cities.

Take into consideration that if you do go to Munich and set up as a freiberufler, you need to proove that you have 3 customers per year if you are vetted or you can fall into what they call "scheinselbstandigkeit" which is like IR35 in the UK. You won't net 65% then.

Some permis I know in Zurich are on CHF 450 per day plus benefits. They work in banking. If you live in Zug or Baden, your canton tax will be a bit cheaper.

If Zurich is too quiet, just book a few flights home at the weekend with Swiss, Easyjet or BA and offers for weekend trips to other European destination. You can also get a discount train pass for Switzerland and go exploring at the weekend.

**Eirikur** · 18 March 2014, 21:13

Zurich is a death trap of taxes. I had an offer of CHF 850 per day which I refused as I would make more a lot more profit for £425 pd with a local contract

Got 2 new gigs: Munich (520Euro/day) or Zurich (650CHF/day)