Reply to: Switzerland

[BlasterBates]

oh dear...I'm here for a quick buck.

[expat]

If you are in for a quick buck I don't think Switzerland is the right place. If you want good services and a good lifestyle for an adequate price then it's good. I lost all hope for savings since I arrived and noticed how easy the money goes here. On the other hand the pension is good and that would be the major saving. But only on the long run. If you plan to stay for a short time just to make a little money and then move somewhere else I would go directly somewhere else.

As they say of Lausanne, it's a nice place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there.

[Francko]

I find it isn't too bad. Somethings are cheap, eg petrol and electronic goods.

Food is more expensive. Your flat doesn't have to be expensive if you live in the outskirts, and not in the centre of town.

I find all in all if you look and shop around you can keep costs down.

If you are in for a quick buck I don't think Switzerland is the right place. If you want good services and a good lifestyle for an adequate price then it's good. I lost all hope for savings since I arrived and noticed how easy the money goes here. On the other hand the pension is good and that would be the major saving. But only on the long run. If you plan to stay for a short time just to make a little money and then move somewhere else I would go directly somewhere else.

[BlasterBates]

I find it isn't too bad. Somethings are cheap, eg petrol and electronic goods.

Food is more expensive. Your flat doesn't have to be expensive if you live in the outskirts, and not in the centre of town.

I find all in all if you look and shop around you can keep costs down.

[expat]

So my plan of living in a hovel off bread and cheese for six months will still take all my profits?

cheese is more expensive in Switzerland than you might think.

[PharmaContractor]

It's been a while since I was there, but living in Oz where life is cheaper than the UK, I have just had a colleague return who says she finds lots of 'everyday stuff' expensive.

I think if you live in moderation you could be well off financially.

If you're going as an employee (contractor may count as well, not sure) it will make a difference on your tax depending on the canton that you live in. E.g canton X will charge you 7% whilst canton y will charge 12%.

[Tin Pot]

Mostly good advice it seems to me. I'd only quarrel with one point from my time in Zurich: no 4. ISTM that there were no cheap things to do.

Don't get me wrong: money's good, tax is low as nowhere else in Europe, and I'd go back tomorrow. But cheap it ain't.

So my plan of living in a hovel off bread and cheese for six months will still take all my profits?

[expat]

I hear you.

I'm working of this post from the thread I linked from 2006:

Mostly good advice it seems to me. I'd only quarrel with one point from my time in Zurich: no 4. ISTM that there were no cheap things to do.

Don't get me wrong: money's good, tax is low as nowhere else in Europe, and I'd go back tomorrow. But cheap it ain't.

[Tin Pot]

I hear you.

I'm working of this post from the thread I linked from 2006:

My tips in Swizterland are:

1. Even going perm or contract, make sure your agent secures you at least 1 months free accomodation(contract 1-2 months....perm 6 months min). Its very pricey there, a furnished 1 bed apt will cost you between 800-2500 a month!

2. If you have a home in the UK, do not let it out until at leat 3 months is past. that way you'll be sure whether its right for you or not. Things could be tight having two homes....but you get a months free rent at the start, so budget.

3. when looking for an apartment, make sure the agent(who got you there in the first place) take you round in his car....you'll get lost in the first month or so. do not get palmed off by him/her saying we can take you round......yeah right...get him/her to garuntee this before you fly.

4. Eating out, and drinking in are the cheap things to do....its eating in and drinking out that cost....so be aware

5. Make your agent pay for the visas....a family can cost around £100 or so, depending on children

6. Ask your agent about the most cost effective way of PAYE and LPP(this is your compulsary pension)....there are two ways..1st, pay less tax and more pension(which is refunded when you leave), or 2nd pay more tax and less pension.......good if you need money(refundable)

7. The expat community know best, every fiddle there is....like this gem....if you stay for more than 12 months, you can even claim back through swiss Inland Revenue, the interest on your UK mortgage, loans, credit cards etc. so basically network....and network to find out stuff like this.

8. when being paid, dont get palmed off by late payments...by law in Switzerland, after invoice, payment should be made within 48 hours...so take this into account when being promised payment.....BTW, legal cover is free in Switzerland as its included in your salary dedeuctions compulsary.

9. after 6 months you are free agent...swap agents if you like....you can get a better deal.....

10. My last tip....as its such a move, even the flying in for an interview....the agent should pay for the flights....no question........its a big move, whether you are on your own or not..............so no need to be out of pocket...after all a 6 month contract could net the agent 10% of your income....over 6 months, that will pay for the pimps M3's petrol, valet, service and food shopping.....so do not be taken for a ride.

[Francko]

Thanks guys.

Any idea whether pressing the agent to pay for visas, the flight for the interview, and the first month's accomodation are still options these days?

Visas payment are very low, this is not like in US. For the rest is all up to your skills and how difficult is to find them. However, if you are a contractor I would expect that your rate will cover those expenses. Flights and accomodation should cover marketing expenses and your rate should include a premium for these expenses contractors normally have from contract to contract. Perks and relocation packages are for permies.

[Sysman]

Any idea whether pressing the agent to pay for visas, the flight for the interview, and the first month's accomodation are still options these days?

I would expect them to pay for a flight and accommodation for the interview, although they would probably want to claw that back if you turned down a solid job offer. They should also pick up work/residence permit costs (extensions included). I doubt that you'd get the first month's accommodation, but you could ask for an advance to cover that - you won't get it if you don't ask for it.

[Jubber]

Thanks guys.

Any idea whether pressing the agent to pay for visas, the flight for the interview, and the first month's accomodation are still options these days?

Visa? Do you need one?
Interview flight - most definitely
First month's rent? Jeepers - if you can get it why not - not something I've ever considered - too cheeky.

[Tin Pot]

Thanks guys.

Any idea whether pressing the agent to pay for visas, the flight for the interview, and the first month's accomodation are still options these days?

[BlasterBates]

There really isn't much point, the tax rates in Switzerland are very low. Just become an employee.

[Francko]

Hi, I've resurrected the thread for two reasons;

1) Prove I did a search first
2) To ask the same question!

This thread was interesting but if anyone can advise on choosing between working through a company like Swisslinx and setting up your own Swiss company I'd appreciate it.

Thanks all,

TP

Setting up a swiss company is not as easy as in the UK and you either speak very fluent german (or french or italian depending where) or you'll be in trouble with the bureacracy. Considering that taxes are low anyway I wouldn't bother with the trouble. Besides, before you get the C permit you need to spend an amount in solicitors and taxes to open your own company which might counterbalance the gain anway.