Geneva, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#971
46.201755, 6.146601
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Geneva is a major city in Switzerland known for its Red Cross headquarters, international organizations, and financial services. |
| 👥 Population | Around 200,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CHF ≈ 1.10 USD. Major banks include UBS, Crédit Suisse, and PostFinance. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers are Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut, TransferWise, and local banks such as UBS. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Homelike, and local real estate websites. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local platforms like Flatfox. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Geneva and Geneva Youth Hostel. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Makerspace Geneva & Coworking Genève. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de la Paix, known for a cozy atmosphere and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Geneva Entrepreneurs Meetup; look for events on Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Geneva Facebook Group hosts regular gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and local taxi services like Taxi Genève. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Geneva Roue libre for bikes and Lime for scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plage des Eaux-Vives, around 10-minute drive. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Swiss International Air Lines. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A1 highway connects to Zurich and Lausanne. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Geneva Cornavin Station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly public transport pass costs around CHF 75. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to Lausanne, Annecy, and Geneva's own extensive tram system. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Genève University Hospitals (HUG). |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Biodanza Geneva and Yoga Place. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit, Fitness Park, and Movement Gym. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavoir Public, with facilities around the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Just Eat. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fondue, a Swiss classic. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Manora, Café du Centre and Le Botaniste. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Papon and Chocolaterie Stettler. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plainpalais Market, held on Wednesdays and Sundays. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Manor and Coop Online. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coop and Migros offer online grocery shopping. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Carouge and the Old Town (Vieille Ville). |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bains de Pâquis Brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | La Cave de l'Observatoire. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets can be found on the weekends at Parc des Bastions. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | La Buvette for a mix of cuisines. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Jet d'Eau, Parc des Bastions, and St. Pierre Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Natural History and the Patek Philippe Museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Reformation Wall and Maison Tavel. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Pierre Cathedral and the Russian Orthodox Church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Geneva International Motor Show and Fête de la Musique. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Carouge is known for its artistic vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Grand Théâtre de Genève. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Les Grottes Market and Plainpalais flea market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at L'Usine and Bâtiment d'Art Contemporain. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the murals in the Jonction district. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Atelier des Chefs offers cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Catherine Issert and Galerie des Bains. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palais des Nations and Hôtel de Ville. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Birthplace of the Red Cross and the United Nations. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parc la Grange offers beautiful gardens and views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Jura Vaudois Regional Nature Park about an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Lakeside paths along Lake Geneva. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Bains des Pâquis and Parc des Bastions. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nyon Nature Reserve nearby. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas of Les Parks are allowed for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Posta Swiss and DHL. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and local phone repair shops. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Genève. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institut de Langues et d'Économie in Eaux-Vives. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliothèque de la Cité and Bibliothèque de Genève. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre de la Vieille Ville. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over Geneva for video gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Genève. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 400,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 7,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 280,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 9,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 540,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 390,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 640,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 440,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Around 24.2%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 35%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 41%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 7.7%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cantonal tax assessments. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 3-5% depending on the canton. |