Biel/Bienne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#978
47.140207, 7.243902
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Biel/Bienne is a bilingual city located in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, known for its watchmaking industry and picturesque lake. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 55,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average download speed is around 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Swiss Franc (CHF); 1 CHF ≈ 1.08 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/J sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt are popular mobile providers with extensive coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks like UBS, Credit Suisse; Revolut also widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from renting apartments to Airbnb, with prices around CHF 1,200 for a 1-bedroom. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental platforms are available, starting from CHF 100 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Biel/Bienne offers dormitory beds from CHF 30 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Biel provides a vibrant space with essential amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Vignoble has excellent espresso and a quiet atmosphere for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups organized by local expat groups, check Facebook events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Biel/Bienne Facebook Group offers a platform for socializing. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and local taxis available, with typical fares around CHF 25 for local trips. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Biel Bahn offers bike rentals within the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Biel beaches are accessible within 15 minutes by bike. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Helvetic Airways for regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Swiss International Air Lines operates from Bern Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A5 and A1 highways nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Biel/Bienne train station is a major hub for regional and national trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Biel public transport offers monthly passes for CHF 70. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to Bern and Lausanne available regularly, approx. 30 minutes to Bern. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hôpital de La Ville de Bienne provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogawelt Biel offers various classes and workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitnesspark Biel is a well-equipped facility with various membership options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavomatic Biel offers self-service laundry facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and local service Eat.ch for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Rösti, a Swiss potato dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veggie Bistro offers a variety of plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Patisserie Muth has an excellent selection of pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local grocery stores like Coop and Migros offer competitive prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local online shops include Digitec and Galaxus for electronics. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coop@home provides grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Visit the Vignoble district for bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bieler Beer offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinothek Biel offers various local wines for tasting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets occasionally pop up in the city center. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Try Sushi or Italian at Ristorante Da Michele. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Omega Museum showcases the city's watchmaking history. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Kunsthaus Biel presents local and international art exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the old wooden bridges in the city center. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Marien Church is a notable landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Biel/Bienne Festival of Photography attracts photography lovers. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The old town features charming streets and shops. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theaters such as Theater Biel offer various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Biel market is held every Saturday with local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various music events happen at the nearby lakeside parks. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be found near the railway station. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking schools offer Swiss cuisine classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Various independent galleries in the old town. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The unique architecture of the Swiss House is a must-see. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The watchmaking tradition is a key part of the city’s identity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Jura mountains offer hiking opportunities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parc Chasseral is a nearby national park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Lake Biel has stunning cycling and walking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at the Röschtigraben offers stunning views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nature park around Lake Biel is ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Public parks along Lake Biel allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Swiss Post offer reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like MediaMarkt provide tech repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong club at Bahnhof offers facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools are available for German and French lessons. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biel public library offers study spaces and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Community center in the old town hosts events and classes. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local gaming lounges offer a space for video game enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Bienne provides 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 3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 280,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Corporate tax rate is approximately 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend tax rate is about 35% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income with progressive rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum income tax rate is approximately 40% |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 7.7% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules are applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on municipal regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically around 1.5% of purchase price. |