- Andrey Vasilyev
I was able to connect with other expats in Zurich who enjoy cycling as much as I do and organize weekly rides.
Get tips, join events & make friends in Zurich
Are you a British citizen in Zurich or thinking about living here? When moving abroad, you’re bound to feel homesick and may need to connect with other Brits who know what it’s like. Whether you’re craving authentic fish and chips, are looking for some buddies to watch football or rugby with, or need advice about living in Zurich — our community for British expats has got you covered!
Why you'll love InterNations in Zurich
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Zurich
No place is perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Discover what our British members love about life abroad but also the challenges they face in Zurich.
Pros of living in Zurich
Healthcare: The quality of healthcare in Zurich gets high marks. In fact, the hospitals in Switzerland regularly rank among the best in Europe.
Public transportation: Zurich offers efficient public transportation. It has a great train system that is well connected and is almost always on time.
Safety: Zurich is one of the safest cities in the world. Petty crime is very low and major crimes are a rare occurrence. Walking the streets alone at any time is not an issue.
Cleanliness: Zurich is an extremely clean city. The city employs a team of cleaners but citizens can (and do!) organize their own clean-up days, too.
Language: English is widely spoken though it is not an official language of Switzerland. It is common in the business sector, making it easier to find a job here than in most other European countries.
Cons of living in Zurich
Cost of living: Zurich is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. The prices of groceries, rent, and other expenses take some adjusting.
Bureaucracy: Swiss bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, especially when it comes to work and residence permits.
Work–life balance: The Swiss have a strong work ethic, and typical work hours in Switzerland can be long. So, if you’re looking for a change in pace from the UK, this could be difficult.
Frequent questions about expat life in Zurich
Most internationals enjoy residing along Lake Zurich, attracted by the availability of popular international schools on either side of the lake. Additionally, stores, restaurants, and other facilities in this area cater to English-speaking customers, as most residents are expats. However, living there can be quite costly. Many people only move to this area if their housing is provided by their employer or if they do not require much space and can manage with a smaller house or apartment. Popular suburbs and nearby villages on the Gold Coast of Lake Zurich include:
Zollikon
Küsnacht
Erlenbach
Meilen
And on the Silver Coast:
Kilchberg
Thalwil
Rüschlikon
Horgen
For a single person to live comfortably in Zurich, you would need about 3,500 CHF net income per month. For a family of four, you’d need about 9,000 CHF. Let’s break down the costs of living in Zurich:
| GBP per month | Local currency per month | |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1,860 GBP | 2,100 CHF |
Rent for a small family home | 3,000 GBP | 3,400 CHF |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 200 GBP | 225 CHF |
Mobile phone & internet | 30 GBP | 30 CHF |
Basic health insurance | 355 GBP | 400 CHF |
Public transportation | 90 GBP | 100 CHF |
Groceries (per person) | 100 CHF | 70 CHF (per week) |
Meal at a restaurant | 20 GBP | 25 CHF |
Zurich is a very international city that receives many tourists every year. So, it’s not too hard to get around with no to very limited local language skills. Still, this will feel limiting soon, especially regarding social contacts and activities. So ideally, you treat your time in Zurich as an opportunity to learn some German. There are many affordable language schools to get you started. Or you take your pick from the many different apps that allow you to improve on your own time and budget. The most challenging moments usually occur when you have official paperwork to do, are looking for a flat, need to see a doctor, etc. To make your time in Zurich a bit easier, we have collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
GPs, dentists & other healthcare services | Doctena Find a doctor that speaks your language and book your appointment with just a few clicks. |
Urgent care | Universitäts Spital Zürich University hospital providing urgent care in English. |
Immigration assistance | Immigration-Lawyer.ch English-speaking immigration lawyer to assist you with your needs. |
Tax advisor | Aconta Tax expert for expats in Zurich. |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet British expats at our events in Zurich
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. At our events everyone is from somewhere else and it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. You’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time and get first-hand information about your new home. So check our upcoming events and become part of Zurich’s large expat family. Especially the Newcomers’ Events are a great way to find your feet in the city. Our event hosts, called Ambassadors, will greet you with open arms and introduce you to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in Zurich.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
Why British expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other Brits in Zurich
Our Global Partners
Find friends to pursue your passions with
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Zurich? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to running. These are managed by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as eating out at Zurich’s finest restaurants with the DinnerNations Group or visiting a comedy show with the Theater Group. You’d like to be more active? Then you can look forward to outings into the nearby mountains with the Zurich Hiking Group, discover ultimate frisbee, or join the Sports Group. There’s something for everyone!
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Zurich — InterNations offers lively communities in most of Switzerland’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving somewhere else in the country, check out our British communities in Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, Zug, Neuchatel Lake, or St. Gallen. But that’s not all: we have communities in over 420 cities worldwide! So, if you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, we’ve got you covered: Browse InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Andrey Vasilyev
I was able to connect with other expats in Zurich who enjoy cycling as much as I do and organize weekly rides.
- Elin Gustavson
At the first InterNations event that I attended, I met my wonderful partner. We now live together in a flat next to the Limmat.
