Zurich

[Francko]

Indeed, even if you are born and raised there, it is no guarantee. Hence my friend living there until his twenties and still unsure if he would receive swiss nationality.

To my knowledge the ultimate decision is up to the canton. That I believe is an utterly unfair system as potentially you might never be swiss even though you were born there and lived there all your life. On the other hand perhaps someone who never lived there but with a swiss grand-grand-parent may have more rights to get it.

However, I guess your friend did not try too hard either, did he?

[Joe Black]

Correct. I meant indeed born and raised in Switzerland, I told Sunny in a private message that the child will not automatically get the citizenship.

Indeed, even if you are born and raised there, it is no guarantee. Hence my friend living there until his twenties and still unsure if he would receive swiss nationality.

[Francko]

Not correct either as Switzerland is not a country which recognises 'jus soli'. Hence a swiss born friend of mine some years ago (he was 25 at the time) still having only a UK passport.

Correct. I meant indeed born and raised in Switzerland, I told Sunny in a private message that the child will not automatically get the citizenship.

[Joe Black]

Not really. You get the C permit, but you might lose it if you go away for longer than 3-6 months. So the only way to have a guaranteed permit to stay in Switzerland is to be born there.

Rates aren't as good as in London. 100 CHF an hour sounds quite common these days. Rather hard to get something more and do not expect too much more in any case.

Not correct either as Switzerland is not a country which recognises 'jus soli'. Hence a swiss born friend of mine some years ago (he was 25 at the time) still having only a UK passport.

[Francko]

It appears although expensive, cost of living is slightly less than London and I imagine the quality of life is better if you are looking for space and peace and quiet.

Francko, since it appears that you live there could you comment on that

Yes, I'd say it's cheaper. Mainly for accomodation since you can get something quite decent (like a 2-3 bedroom flat) for a thousand pounds while in London you'd be able to get a studio flat only. Transport is also cheaper and about half the costs or a third than what is in London. Most other expenses are pretty much the same with some even more (food, though the quality is higher). I'd say that if you are young and pretty much into going out, you'd better stay in London as you have more choice. As you said if you are older and you want some quietness than it's a better place to be as it looks much safer and quiet. Flats are also bigger than in London. However, finding a flat is extremely difficult as the locals are strongly preferred so you have to consider a short term accomodation for six months and perhaps even more, unless you are willing to go into less desirable areas (which are still 10 times more safe and green than the ones in London).

[sunnysan]

Zurich

It appears although expensive, cost of living is slightly less than London and I imagine the quality of life is better if you are looking for space and peace and quiet.

Francko, since it appears that you live there could you comment on that

[Francko]

After surfing around a bit it appears you can get permenant residence after 5 years which is as good nationality.

It appears CH is a big java shop as well, which works well for me

Whats the going rate in CHfr for a devloper/senior developer(JAVA) there?

Not really. You get the C permit, but you might lose it if you go away for longer than 3-6 months. So the only way to have a guaranteed permit to stay in Switzerland is to be born there.

Rates aren't as good as in London. 100 CHF an hour sounds quite common these days. Rather hard to get something more and do not expect too much more in any case.

[sunnysan]

Research

After surfing around a bit it appears you can get permenant residence after 5 years which is as good nationality.

It appears CH is a big java shop as well, which works well for me

Whats the going rate in CHfr for a devloper/senior developer(JAVA) there?

[BlasterBates]

The answers:

Yes wouldn't worry about residency, eventually you get permanent status, and after 12 or is it 15 years you can get Swiss nationality, though personally I wouldn't want it. It is actually useful to have EU citizenship. Germany is a stone's throw, and has a lot of the things you may be wanting from Switzerland, like, idyllic villages, Alpine resorts, forests, and hot summer weather.

A positive aspect of contracting in Switzerland is that you are actually entitled to perhaps the most generous unemployment benefit you can get anywhere. It is 70% of your salary and you get it for 18 months. You're entitled to this after 12 months. If the agency doesn't renew your contract you can claim your booty. Contractors are actually employees; though you're paid according to the hours you work. The tax and social security in Switzerland are extremely low, so there is no incentive to avoid anything.

A huge benefit for those who dabble on the stock market, is there is no capital gains . Houses on the other hand are subject to capital gains if you're a foreigner and leave the country. Also if you own a house there is a special tax because of the benefit of not paying rent.

[Joe Black]

Hi

I have had some interesting bites about work in CH(Zurich)

My main concerns are the following

a) What kind of residency do you get?
b) What is the potential to get something more permenent visa wise(I know citizenship is not likely but something like "leave to remain")
c) My missus is getting broody so I reckon the arrival of "Mini San" in some shape or form is immenent in the next 2 years. If my kid is there, will it have Swiss nationality?

d) Whats the work environment like?

Any answers, including the usual pisstake are welcome

Answer to c is a big....maybe...after 10 years or more.

After that, unless things have changed, it will quite often be a case of how many brownie points you can get from the neighbours in whichever canton you live in, his/her knowledge of Swiss cheese and such like.

[Euro-commuter]

So in fact EU membership and EU citizens treatment is split between the "old chaps" and the "new loosers"...Fair...

Hmm, sounds a bit like "Old Commonwealth" and "New Commonwealth".....

[Viktor]

From 1st of June all EU citizens of the original state members are entitled to receive a B permit.

So in fact EU membership and EU citizens treatment is split between the "old chaps" and the "new loosers"...Fair...

[Francko]

An EU citizen will normally get an L Visa. It's trouble-free to get but is specific to the job (and I mean job, you will not normally work freelance). You can easily get another for another job in Switzerland, but that won't let you and your family live there while you work elsewhere.

Don't know about other visas. I did have a Germaqn colleague who lived just over the border and drove in daily.

From 1st of June all EU citizens of the original state members are entitled to receive a B permit.

[Euro-commuter]

Hi

I have had some interesting bites about work in CH(Zurich)

My main concerns are the following

a) What kind of residency do you get?
b) What is the potential to get something more permenent visa wise(I know citizenship is not likely but something like "leave to remain")
c) My missus is getting broody so I reckon the arrival of "Mini San" in some shape or form is immenent in the next 2 years. If my kid is there, will it have Swiss nationality?

d) Whats the work environment like?

Any answers, including the usual pisstake are welcome

An EU citizen will normally get an L Visa. It's trouble-free to get but is specific to the job (and I mean job, you will not normally work freelance). You can easily get another for another job in Switzerland, but that won't let you and your family live there while you work elsewhere.

Don't know about other visas. I did have a Germaqn colleague who lived just over the border and drove in daily.

[sunnysan]

Hi

I have had some interesting bites about work in CH(Zurich)

My main concerns are the following

a) What kind of residency do you get?
b) What is the potential to get something more permenent visa wise(I know citizenship is not likely but something like "leave to remain")
c) My missus is getting broody so I reckon the arrival of "Mini San" in some shape or form is immenent in the next 2 years. If my kid is there, will it have Swiss nationality?

d) Whats the work environment like?

Any answers, including the usual pisstake are welcome