Geneva, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#971
,
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland and serves as a global hub for diplomacy and banking. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | CHF (Swiss Franc); 1 CHF ≈ 1.10 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and J sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available providers include Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include UBS, Credit Suisse, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, rental agencies, and local hostels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Genève and Geneve Hostel offer affordable rates. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is recommended for its sights and charm. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Paquis and Eaux-Vives are vibrant neighborhoods with coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Mighty Diner and Geneve coworking, known for great amenities and community. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de Flore offers a conducive environment for working remotely. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups hosted by Geneva Entrepreneurs and local startup events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat Meetup in Geneva offers regular community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and taxi.ch are popular for on-demand services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Geneva Bike and Trottin'Genève offer easy rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Bains des Pâquis offers a popular beach area on Lake Geneva. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Swiss International Air Lines is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Air France are major international carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A1 and A40 highways connect Geneva to other major Swiss cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gare Cornavin serves as the main train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Swiss Travel Pass and local ticketing options are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect to nearby cities like Lausanne and Annecy. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Soleil Yoga and Breathe Yoga are popular options. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Club Med Gym offer various fitness options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique and Express Lavage provide convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, Just Eat, and Smood popular in the area. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Fondue and Raclette, iconic Swiss dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green van and Café de la Paix are excellent choices. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Dufaux is renowned for its pastries and confections. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plainpalais Market offers fresh produce and local specialties. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local picks include Coop and LeShop for grocery shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Migros and Coop deliver groceries to your home. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Carouge is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes offers locally brewed beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Cave des Vieux-Grenadiers is a popular wine bar in town. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Bains des Pâquis serves delicious street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Café des Négociants offer diverse international flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Jet d'Eau and St. Pierre Cathedral are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Natural History and Art and History Museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Reformation Wall and Palais des Nations are essential historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Pierre Cathedral and the Russian Church are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fête de la Musique and Geneva International Film Festival highlight the calendar. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Etang de la Madeleine is a cultural hub with events and showcases. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Grand Théâtre de Genève is famous for its performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Carouge Market is a vibrant local shopping experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Places like Les Docks and L'Usine host local and international acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Diverse street art can be found in the Quartier des Bains. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Geneva Cooking Club offers culinary workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Templon showcases contemporary artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Town boasts many historic buildings and architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Geneva has a rich heritage tied to its history and international organizations. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parc des Bastions and Parc la Grange offer beautiful nature spaces. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Fauvray Nature Reserve is close for nature lovers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The lakeside promenades offer scenic paths for walking and biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Jardin Anglais offers panoramic views of the city and Lake Geneva. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Réserve Naturelle de la Plaine de la Raisse is ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in the surrounding parks allow bonfires with permits. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Swiss Post offer reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and FixmyPhone provide good tech repair options. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks and community centers often have table tennis spots. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Alliance Française and Sprachschule Genève offer language learning. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Bibliothèque de Genève provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Centre Social Protestant hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | E-sports lounges like Arena Gaming attract a local crowd. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Genève offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €260,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €330,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €252,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €416,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €304,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | A standard rate of 24% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is around 40%. |
| 🧾 VAT | A standard Value Added Tax rate of 7.7% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate of approximately 5%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Switzerland offers various tax treaties to avoid double taxation. |