Your Expat Community in Zurich

Your New Life as an Expat

Ranked as #2 in a list of 200 expat locations for quality of life, Zurich is a thriving, cosmopolitan city nestled in beautiful surroundings next to the Limmat River and Swiss Alps. With one-quarter of the population foreign born, you'll find excellent schools for expatriate children, a wide variety of leisure activities, and minimal language barriers. Although Zurich is located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, most of the population speaks English in addition to German, as well as a variety of other European languages such as Italian and French. If you will be working in Zurich, the service industry employs up to 90% of the workforce, or you might find a career in finance, a sector where Zurich is particularly well-known. If you will be starting your own business, the city offers lots of advantages such as strategic location with low taxes, trusted bank corporations, and motivated young people possessing diplomas from local well-ranked universities. Whatever you choose, you have the comfort of knowing that the economy is strong and unemployment figures low. A big challenge for expats, in addition to adapting to the local culture, could be the housing search. The prices are high and the competition for quality apartments is fierce. Therefore, it is best to do your research, get all the necessary paper in order, and start looking as early as possible. If you have any questions, you can ask other expats who have already been through the Zurich housing search process before in our forums. Zurich is a city whose reputation of being a world-class financial center precedes it. It's not all about work, though: nowadays, in contemporary Zurich, expats can find many new bars, restaurants, and clubs where they can taste the real nightlife. Speaking of entertainment, during the winter, expats have the chance to visit many of the ski resorts close to Zurich or enjoy the famous Christmas bazaar filled with the unforgettable aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. In this sense, one of the most irresistible temptations which this city offers is the various types of chocolate. If you are interested in which kind is the best and where you can find it at an expensive price, you can always ask for advice in InterNations' Zurich forums.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Amsterdam or Jeddah, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Socialize and Network with InterNations Groups

After you've found the answers to your most pressing questions about moving to Zurich in our guide and forum sections and settle into life in this bustling capital, you can start building up your social network through InterNations. Possibly the best part of InterNations is our ability to put you in touch with real people through our organized events and groups. Our larger community-wide social events are great for networking and having a great time. For get-togethers in a smaller group, join some of our groups dedicated to different hobbies and interests. For example, in Zurich you can find groups dedicated to photography, theater, dance, wine and food, soccer, hiking, entrepreneurs and fitness; the list of groups is so extensive we're sure you'll find one to suit you. Pretty soon you'll be navigating the city with ease as you meet with your fellow global travelers in your new life in Zurich.