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Guide
Geneva, Switzerland π¨π
#971
,
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
ποΈ City | Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland and serves as a global hub for diplomacy and banking. |
π₯ Population | Approximately 200,000 |
π» Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps |
πΈ Currency & Banking | CHF (Swiss Franc); 1 CHF β 1.10 USD |
π° Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality |
π Power | 230V, 50Hz, π Type C and J sockets |
πΆ SIM Card | Available providers include Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. |
π³ Banking for Expats | Popular banks include UBS, Credit Suisse, and Revolut. |
π Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, rental agencies, and local hostels. |
π³ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
π Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short stays. |
ποΈ Budget Accommodation | Hostel GenΓ¨ve and Geneve Hostel offer affordable rates. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is recommended for its sights and charm. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Paquis and Eaux-Vives are vibrant neighborhoods with coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
π’ Best Coworking Space | Mighty Diner and Geneve coworking, known for great amenities and community. |
β Best Cafe for Work | CafΓ© de Flore offers a conducive environment for working remotely. |
πΌ Networking Events | Meetups hosted by Geneva Entrepreneurs and local startup events. |
π₯ Social Events for Expats | Expat Meetup in Geneva offers regular community events. |
Transportation
π Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and taxi.ch are popular for on-demand services. |
π² Bike/Scooter Rental | Geneva Bike and Trottin'GenΓ¨ve offer easy rentals. |
ποΈ Best Beach Nearby | Bains des PΓ’quis offers a popular beach area on Lake Geneva. |
βοΈ Top Regional Airline | Swiss International Air Lines is the main regional carrier. |
βοΈ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Air France are major international carriers. |
π£οΈ Highway Access | A1 and A40 highways connect Geneva to other major Swiss cities. |
π Main Train/Transit Hub | Gare Cornavin serves as the main train station. |
π Public Transport Passes | Swiss Travel Pass and local ticketing options are available. |
βοΈ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect to nearby cities like Lausanne and Annecy. |
Health and Wellness
π₯ Best Hospital | Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) is the primary healthcare facility. |
π§ Yoga & Wellness Centers | Soleil Yoga and Breathe Yoga are popular options. |
ποΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Club Med Gym offer various fitness options. |
π§Ί Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique and Express Lavage provide convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
π± Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, Just Eat, and Smood popular in the area. |
π½οΈ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Fondue and Raclette, iconic Swiss dishes. |
π± Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green van and CafΓ© de la Paix are excellent choices. |
π« Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Dufaux is renowned for its pastries and confections. |
π Affordable Shopping Spots | Plainpalais Market offers fresh produce and local specialties. |
π E-commerce/Online Store | Local picks include Coop and LeShop for grocery shopping. |
π Grocery Delivery | Migros and Coop deliver groceries to your home. |
πΈ Bar/Nightlife Area | Carouge is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. |
π» Local Brewery | Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes offers locally brewed beers. |
π· Wine Bars | Cave des Vieux-Grenadiers is a popular wine bar in town. |
π² Street Food Stalls | Bains des PΓ’quis serves delicious street food options. |
π Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like CafΓ© des NΓ©gociants offer diverse international flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
ποΈ Must-See Landmarks | The Jet d'Eau and St. Pierre Cathedral are iconic attractions. |
ποΈ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Natural History and Art and History Museum. |
π° Historical Sites | Reformation Wall and Palais des Nations are essential historical sites. |
π Religious Sites | St. Pierre Cathedral and the Russian Church are notable. |
π Annual Events | FΓͺte de la Musique and Geneva International Film Festival highlight the calendar. |
π¨ Cultural Districts | Etang de la Madeleine is a cultural hub with events and showcases. |
π Theater Venues | Grand ThéÒtre de GenΓ¨ve is famous for its performances. |
ποΈ Local Markets | Carouge Market is a vibrant local shopping experience. |
πΌ Music Scene | Places like Les Docks and L'Usine host local and international acts. |
π¨ Street Art | Diverse street art can be found in the Quartier des Bains. |
π§βπ³ Cooking Classes | The Geneva Cooking Club offers culinary workshops. |
π©βπ¨ Art Galleries | Galerie Templon showcases contemporary artworks. |
π°οΈ Historic Buildings | The Old Town boasts many historic buildings and architecture. |
π΄ Local Heritage | Geneva has a rich heritage tied to its history and international organizations. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
π Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parc des Bastions and Parc la Grange offer beautiful nature spaces. |
ποΈ National Parks Nearby | Fauvray Nature Reserve is close for nature lovers. |
π² Cycling/Walking Paths | The lakeside promenades offer scenic paths for walking and biking. |
π Scenic Viewpoints | The Jardin Anglais offers panoramic views of the city and Lake Geneva. |
π¦ Birdwatching Locations | The RΓ©serve Naturelle de la Plaine de la Raisse is ideal for birdwatching. |
π₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in the surrounding parks allow bonfires with permits. |
Other Services and Amenities
π¦ Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Swiss Post offer reliable parcel services. |
π οΈ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and FixmyPhone provide good tech repair options. |
π Table Tennis Spots | Local parks and community centers often have table tennis spots. |
π§βπ« Language Classes | The Alliance FranΓ§aise and Sprachschule GenΓ¨ve offer language learning. |
π Libraries & Study Spots | The BibliothΓ¨que de GenΓ¨ve provides quiet study areas. |
ποΈ Community Centers | The Centre Social Protestant hosts various community activities. |
πΉοΈ Gaming Lounges | E-sports lounges like Arena Gaming attract a local crowd. |
π° Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de GenΓ¨ve offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
π’ Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬6,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = β¬260,000) |
π’ Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬4,800 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = β¬192,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬5,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = β¬330,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬4,200 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = β¬252,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬5,200 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = β¬416,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬3,800 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = β¬304,000) |
πΌ Corporate Tax | A standard rate of 24% |
π΅ Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% |
π¦ Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
π Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is around 40%. |
π§Ύ VAT | A standard Value Added Tax rate of 7.7% |
π Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable. |
π Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
π Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate of approximately 5%. |
π» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Switzerland offers various tax treaties to avoid double taxation. |