With Germany sinking further into malaise, local newspaper WELT has suggested that people in the Federal Republic should pack their bags and move to Switzerland to take advantage of higher living standards. They added that despite higher costs, those in the alpine nation see better financial returns than German workers.

Salaries in Switzerland 60 percent higher than in Germany

In the piece, entitled "Emigrate to Switzerland? Who is Wanted and what salaries await you", Sandra Hackenberg went into painstaking detail as to why people living in Germany should move to the cantons. Alongside listing the benefits, she also highlighted which jobs in Switzerland are set to be in highest demand.

With the median salary in Switzerland hovering around 78.000 francs a year, she noted that pay, which is 60 percent higher than in Germany on average, is one of the biggest draws. She attributed the higher wages to the “high level of education and good qualifications; productivity in Switzerland is the highest of all OECD countries."

Where should new expats move to in Switzerland?

As to where German expats should move to, Hackenberg suggested the area around Lake Zurich as it has “numerous international specialist companies” to choose from. The emerging tech sector of Lucerne and the diplomatic institutions of Geneva were also top choices.

Workers living in Germany are in high demand in Switzerland thanks to the ongoing staff shortages - a 2024 study from EconomieSuisse predicted that the country will be short of 460.000 workers by 2045. “Switzerland cannot meet its high demand for skilled workers with Swiss citizens alone, it is dependent on qualified immigration. One in three companies is experiencing a shortage of staff, and one in two large companies is affected," wrote Hackenberg.

Swiss economy in dire need of new workers

WELT went on to recommend sectors where “top salaries” are paid for the most “sought-after skilled workers.” Top of the list was the healthcare sector, followed by construction and tech. However, Hackenberg added that “practically all professional groups” would be welcome in Switzerland, provided they are well educated.

While wages may be high, WELT conceded that the promise of higher living standards is muddied slightly when the cost is added to the mix. She estimated that people in Switzerland pay between 35 and 40 percent more at the supermarket compared to Germany, and while Swiss taxes are significantly lower, everyone is required to pay for basic health insurance. Nevertheless, even after the higher cost is accounted for, take-home pay is still higher.

But what challenges do new expats face?

While Hackenberg focused on the financial reasons why the largest expat group in Switzerland moved in the first place, Germans and other expats need to bear a few caveats in mind. While quality of life, living standards and pay are high, surveys from expats note that it can be a challenge for newcomers to integrate and make friends.

In addition, while German and other EU and EEA citizens are able to acquire a Swiss residence permit with relative ease, the same cannot be said for those from outside the blocs. In the vast majority of cases, so-called “third country nationals” have to have secured a job offer before moving to the alpine nation, and typically only highly skilled migrants are allowed.

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