After an article for budget travelers and enjoying Swiss food culture without spending too much, I write this article gathering what international students must know when planning their move to Switzerland for studies regarding visas, accommodation, saving money with groceries, and public transportation. Living in Switzerland as a student, in order to cut costs, cook at home and find a place at a reasonable price are the core measures to deal with the expensive Swiss cost of living.
Visa and Immigration
Switzerland is not part of the European Union but part of the Schengen Zone, so a student visa application usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. For international students, Swiss authorities require a minimum financial fund of CHF 18,000 yearly in your bank account or on a voucher’s account. As Switzerland is a confederation divided into 26 cantons, each one has its migration rules. Some cantons may demand you open a bank account during the visa application while others may demand only financial proof before your arrival. When applying for a Swiss visa, you send your documents to the embassy or consulate, which will forward them to the cantonal immigration police. Your permit will be valid to study and reside in the canton you applied to, if you move to another canton you will be to apply for a permit again. If you have doubts about your visa application to Switzerland, iVisa can help you.
Accommodation Challenges
Due to the restriction on building and urbanization, the demand for accommodation in Switzerland is higher than the offer. Then, places at reasonable prices are the most disputed. You will likely have several interviews with your possible roommates when searching for a place to rent. From experience, I recommend finding a place as soon as possible since it’s hard to find after the classes are back. The migration process usually requires a rental contract before arrival and your documents will be sent by mail service. How much is the rent? It depends on the apartment, location, and average prices in the city you will study.
Healthcare Insurance
Healthcare insurance is mandatory for everyone in Switzerland, including international students. From your first day of arrival, you already need to hold your insurance. In case of delaying it, you’ll be charged retroactively referring to the month of arrival if hiring later. A worker usually pays around CHF 600-CHF 800 but for students, there are cheaper packages closing around CHF 280, maybe a little less. Your insurance may not cover everything and if you need a doctor, it may cost you more than expected. So for students on a tight budget, the smartest option is to take care of their health and avoid risky sports such as ski.
Eating Cheap in Switzerland
Eating outside is one of the most expensive things to do in Switzerland and the solution for students to save cash is to cook at home. A portion of cheap fast food like a kebab costs between CHF 11 and CHF 15 depending on the city, for example. Aldi is the cheapest supermarket to buy groceries, so as Denner, Lidl and Radikal. In other articles, I share tips on how to eat cheaply in Switzerland and what to eat without getting bankrupt. Another tip for students who want to cut costs is to buy their drinks at the supermarket since at bars a beer glass will start on CHF 7. Meat is very expensive, so if you’re used to meat, either you reduce your consumption or cross the borders between Germany and Italy from time to time.
Plan your Shopping
When it comes to shopping and buying groceries in Switzerland, be aware that supermarkets and grocery shops close at 19:00h or at 20:00h, depending on the retailer. On Saturdays, they close at 17:00h and on Sundays, everything is closed except a few shops at train stations, gas stations, and some shops run by immigrants. So you need to plan when to buy your food.
Second-hand Shops
Everything in Switzerland from food to clothing is normally more expensive than in your home country. When you need to buy a piece of furniture for your room or even some clothing, the best place to save cash is to buy at second-hand shops where you find many items in good condition. As supermarkets, they also open until 19:00h and on Saturdays until 17:00h.
Halbtax Card for Train and Public Transportation
For public transportation in Switzerland, it’s worth taking the Halbtax card that is valid for train tickets and trams. You pay CHF 180 a year and get a discount of 50% on train tickets and around 30% on trams and buses. To apply for a Halbatx, you need to go to SBB station, the Swiss Railway Company, presenting your documents and proof of residence.
It’s also worth buying a bicycle to move around the city quickly, using public transportation for larger distances if you want to cut costs with transportation.
Socialize through Internations
The difficulty to socialize with Swiss people is one of the main culture shocks in Switzerland, whether you arrive as a student or a migrant worker. A practical solution to socialize with other foreigners living there is joining Internations‘ events, where you can meet people to build your social life.
Mobile and Internet
For mobile and internet, the main service providers are Swisscom, Vodafone, and Orange, largely used in Switzerland. Generally speaking, the internet in Switzerland is fast.
If you have an important tip for international students in Switzerland that is missing, feel free to comment.
Originally posted 2022-07-17 23:09:38.
