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My Journey from the UK to Switzerland: Lessons Learned




Back in 2015, I started exploring the idea of moving abroad from the UK. I was itching for a change and decided to search for jobs outside the UK on various job boards. My search took me to some interesting places - I interviewed for a company called MIMS, which has offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, and I even considered the US. But the US can be tricky; without a green card, it’s challenging to secure a job, so I quickly realised that wasn’t the best option for me at the time.


Then, there was Italy. I landed a job with a medical advertising agency there, but it turned out not to be the right fit. After that, I shifted my focus to opportunities in Germany and Switzerland. This was all pre-Brexit, so the landscape was a bit different back then, but some things remain the same. If you’re a specialist in biosciences, medicine, nursing, or pharmacy, you’re in demand in Switzerland. It’s a small country, and the pool of experts, particularly English-speaking ones, is limited. So, if you have the right skills, moving there can be more straightforward than you might think.


One of the smartest moves you can make is to find a job with a large corporate company that has offices in Switzerland (or wherever you’re hoping to move). If there’s a presence in the country, your chances of relocating successfully are much higher. Big companies often have the resources and the motivation to sponsor your move. Plus, if you’re already established in the company, it’s easier to make the case for your relocation. I know several people who’ve done this recently and found it to be a smooth process.


If Switzerland is on your radar, here’s a tip: aim to move at the beginning of the year. Switzerland operates on a quota system for residence permits, known as the B permit, and these permits are more likely to be available early in the year. If you wait until later, you might find that the quota has already been met.

Now, let’s talk about money. Yes, living in Switzerland is expensive, but the salaries are excellent. When I was in the UK, I had what was considered a good salary, but I still found myself relying on credit cards and struggling to save. Since moving to Switzerland, my financial situation has completely turned around. I’ve been able to build substantial investments, max out my pension contributions, and save up an emergency fund that could cover six months of living expenses if needed. The difference in disposable income is night and day compared to the UK.


As a Brit, moving to Switzerland post-Brexit does come with a few extra hoops to jump through, particularly when it comes to language requirements. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to show basic proficiency in French, German, or Italian to get your residence permit. But honestly, the language requirements are pretty minimal—just enough to get by.


There’s also a bilateral agreement that makes it easier for citizens of certain countries, like Germany, Spain, and France, to move to Switzerland without needing to meet the same language requirements. This can be a bit of a relief if you’re coming from one of those countries.


To get a B permit, which lasts five years, you’ll need to prove basic language skills - an oral A1 level according to the Council of European Language Tables. If you’re aiming for a C permit (permanent residence permit), the requirements are a bit higher: oral A2 and written A1. Brits can either wait 10 years for a C permit or apply for an accelerated C permit after five years, provided they can demonstrate higher language proficiency and successful integration into Swiss society.


Living in Switzerland has been a game changer for me in terms of quality of life. If you’re considering making the move, especially with the backing of a large company, I’d say go for it. The financial and personal rewards have been well worth the challenges of adapting to a new country.


Here's a link great resource to search biotech companies in Switzerland.

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