Can I survive in Switzerland with just English?

English is the most commonly spoken non-national language in Switzerland. It is regularly spoken by 45 percent of the population in Switzerland although it is more prevalent in German parts of the country than French and Italian. It is also more widely spoken in Switzerland's big cities such as Geneva and Zurich.



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English and Portuguese are the most commonly spoken foreign languages in Switzerland. Spanish, Serbian, Croatian and Albanian are also common languages in Switzerland. Multilingualism is important to people's identity, and Switzerland has a law to govern the use of the official languages and promote multilingualism.

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If you wish to settle in Switzerland without taking up gainful employment, you must apply for a residence permit from the cantonal immigration and employment market authorities. Depending on your nationality, you must also obtain a visa from the Swiss representation abroad.

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Switzerland is notoriously expensive, and expats generally spend far more on housing, education, healthcare, and daily necessities than they do at home. Many expats also report feeling frustrated with Swiss culture, which can be overly reserved, polite, and traditional. This also makes integrating with locals tricky.

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Around 6,1 percent of people living in Switzerland speak English at home, especially in Geneva, Zug, Basel and Canton Vaud. According to the FSO, Geneva has the highest proportion of English speakers in Switzerland, with approximately 12 percent of residents speaking English at home.

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Swiss people earn USD 64 824 per year on average, much more than the OECD average of USD 49 165 and one of the highest in the OECD. Another essential factor of employment quality is job security, in terms of expected loss of earnings when someone becomes unemployed.

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Like many other developed countries, Switzerland faces a significant shortage of personnel in many sectors. The immigration of skilled workers helps to meet much of the demand from companies, but the issue is politically controversial.

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