Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#972
47.558107, 7.587826
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Basel is a vibrant city located in northwestern Switzerland, known for its rich cultural scene and historical significance. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps, widely available across the city. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 CHF ≈ 1.08 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Main providers include Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks include UBS, Credit Suisse, and PostFinance. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Various options available including Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Options include Airbnb, Vrbo, and local property management companies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Basel and Youth Hostel Basel offer affordable options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Basel offers excellent facilities for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Les Trois Rois is a popular café with good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular Meetups occur through platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Basel International Network hosts monthly events for expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Basel. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Tandem has bike rental services throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Basel is the closest recreational water area. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Swiss International Air Lines for regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa is a major carrier for international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A2 and A3 highways nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Basel SBB is the main train station serving regional and international connections. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly Basel Transport (BVB) passes available for unlimited travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train connections to Zurich, Geneva, and other Swiss cities are frequent. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Universitätsspital Basel is a top medical facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga im Hof offers various classes and wellness services. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Park and JUMP Fitness are popular options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Waschsalon Basel provides laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Eat.ch are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Basler Läckerli, a local gingerbread cookie. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Kitchener and Hiltl are renowned vegetarian restaurants. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Confiserie Schiesser offers exquisite pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Freie Strasse is a popular area for shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Migros Online and Coop Online for groceries and essentials. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coop and Migros provide delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Kleinbasel has a vibrant nightlife scene with bar options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Basilea offers local craft beer tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Weine & Winzer serves a selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Marktplatz often features street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Tibits for a variety of international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Basel Minster and Tinguely Fountain are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Kunstmuseum Basel and Fondation Beyeler showcase modern art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Rathaus (Town Hall) is a beautiful historical building. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's Church is notable for its stunning architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Basel Art Museum hosts major cultural events throughout the year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old Town (Altstadt) is rich in history and culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theater Basel offers a range of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Basel’s Münsterplatz market is famous for its local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Basel hosts several music festivals including the Basel Music Festival. |
| 🎨 Street Art | St. Johanns Tor has vibrant street art to explore. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Attend classes at Kochschule Basel to learn Swiss cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Müller showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Spalentor is a well-preserved city gate. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Basel's Carnival (Basler Fasnacht) is a significant cultural event. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The surrounding countryside offers hiking trails and vineyards. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Parc Jura Vaudois is accessible for day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Rhine riverbank offers scenic walking and cycling paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Küchlin Hill offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Rhine River banks are great for observing birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Visit the nearby countryside for designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | PostOffice Switzerland offers reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Media Markt and local shops provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Tischtennis Basel offers tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language center Sprachschule Schneider offers German courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Basel Public Library is ideal for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Gemeindehaus offers cultural activities and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Local Zone is a popular gaming spot. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Basel provides various gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 200,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 4,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 168,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 288,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 228,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 360,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 256,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Estimated at 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Swiss withholding tax rate is 35%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on residency. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate approx. 40%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 7.7%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Moderate CFC rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on local tax assessments. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically around 1.5% to 2% depending on the canton. |