Switzerland offers numerous benefits to international residents, but a new survey reveals that there are a few downsides as well.
The study in question, “Expat Insider 2026” by InterNations, ranked Switzerland relatively low – in 22nd place out of 31 countries surveyed.
This is a far cry from some other international rankings, which have consistently placed Switzerland in the top 10. In fact, it remained in 1st place for years as the ‘World’s Best Country’ according to rankings from US News & World Report.
But taking a look at the InterNations results in more detail, respondents clearly outline where they believe Switzerland’s strengths and weaknesses lie as a country.
The negative side of life in Switzerland
The country ranks low in the ‘Housing’ category – 27th place – followed by the ‘Ease of Settling in’ (26th), and ‘Personal Finance’ (25th).
None of these findings will come as a shock to those living in Switzerland: high rents and property prices are already among the main challenges for newcomers.
READ MORE: Why do foreigners in Switzerland often pay higher rent than the Swiss?
Making Swiss friends and the high cost of living have also been consistently cited as downsides of living in Switzerland.
As one German national living in Geneva pointed out: “It’s very difficult to make local friends, despite efforts like joining local associations and having a child in local school. It never gets beyond the acquaintance level.”
In fact, according to InterNations, “More than half the respondents say their friends are mostly other expats, reflecting a community that takes time to break into the local social fabric.”
READ MORE: How hard is it to make friends in Switzerland?
And then there is a matter of prices: the high cost of living is the top worry for 49 percent of expats, versus 21 percent globally.
On the positive side, however, “high salaries soften the blow,” InterNations reports, with 74 percent of respondents saying their incomes are sufficient for a comfortable life.
What about the advantages of Swiss life?
Switzerland ranks relatively high (8th place) in the ‘Quality of Life’ category, and particularly in terms of its environment, where it sits in top position, followed by 2nd place for air quality, and 3rd for urban environment.
Furthermore, the vast majority of expats appreciate Switzerland’s political stability – 92 percent versus 58 percent globally – as well as their personal safety (93 percent against 81 percent).
Some results are, however, more nuanced, especially the healthcare category.
InterNations found that “The country ranks well for the availability (11th) and quality (10th) of medical care, but a lack of affordability (29th) drags the wider result down.”
A definite ‘plus’ – the economy and wages
“Switzerland ranks 14th in the Working Abroad Index, anchored by a 3rd-place result for the state of the economy,” the survey reveals – with 89 percent of respondents giving this factor a positive rating, which is well over the global average of 59 percent.
International residents “mostly feel paid fairly for their work and salaries are high: 10 percent report a gross annual income above $250,000 [203,000 francs], and 43 percent earn between $100,000 [85,000 francs] and $250,000 per year, versus a global average of 4 and 19 percent, respectively.
READ MORE: Why are Swiss wages so high?
Feedback from a US expat in Lausanne pretty much sums up the upside of living in Switzerland:
“What I like? Everything works; easy access to nature; it’s beautiful, organised, calm, and with many international companies here; low taxes and good infrastructure; good overall quality of life.”
