Essentials
- Population
- 26,000
- City
- Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber Optics widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CHF ≈ 1.14 USD, 1 USD ≈ 0.88 CHF
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality Alpine mineral water from all taps
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type J (3-pin) and Type C sockets
- SIM Card
- Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt (Sunrise Prepaid: ~20 CHF/month)
- Banking for Expats
- UBS, BCV (Banque Cantonale Vaudoise), Neon, Revolut
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Homegate.ch, Comparis.ch
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and TWINT (Swiss mobile payment) are universal
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Visionapartments (nearby Lausanne/Vevey)
- Budget Accommodation
- Montreux Youth Hostel (approx. 55 CHF/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Quai des Fleurs / Lakeside promenade
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Clarens or Territet (more residential and slightly cheaper)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Gotham Riviera (Vevey, 5 mins away) - ~40 CHF/day; La Muse Montreux
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mövenpick Café (Avenue des Alpes 47) or Fairplay (Vevey)
- Networking Events
- Montreux Business Club, Swiss Digital Nomad meetups via Meetup.com
- Social Events for Expats
- Montreux-Vevey Expat Group on Facebook; Glocals.com
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Taxi Riviera (+41 21 963 63 63)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rent a Bike (at Montreux Station), Donkey Republic
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage du Pierrier (Clarens)
- Top Regional Airline
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Top International Airline
- EasyJet (hub in Geneva), Lufthansa, Emirates
- Highway Access
- A9 Motorway (connects to Lausanne and Valais)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Montreux
- Public Transport Passes
- Riviera Card (free for tourists), SBB Half-Fare Travelcard (185 CHF/year)
- Regional Travel
- SBB Trains, CGN Steamships (to France/Lausanne), VMCV Buses
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Riviera-Chablais (Rennaz) - 15 mins away
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Riviera (Rue du Théâtre 2), Clinique La Prairie (Luxury medical spa)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Let's Go Fitness (Grand' Rue 3), Silhouette
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de la Gare (Avenue des Alpes 72)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, JustEat.ch, Smood.ch
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Filets de Perche (Lake Perch), Fondue moitié-moitié
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- BadouxThèque (Grand' Rue 3), Aux Deux Sapins (nearby)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Confiserie Zurcher (Avenue du Casino 45)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Denner, Aldi, Lidl (slightly outside center in Clarens)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Galaxus.ch, Digitec.ch, Amazon.de (with Swiss shipping)
- Grocery Delivery
- Coop.ch, Migros Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Place du Marché, Barrel & Co, Mayfair
- Local Brewery
- La Base (nearby Lausanne/Vevey craft beers)
- Wine Bars
- The Barrel (Avenue des Alpes 22)
- Street Food Stalls
- Market Hall (Marché Couvert) events
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Palais Oriental (Lebanese/Moroccan), Paradise (Indian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Château de Chillon, Freddie Mercury Statue
- Museums & Art Venues
- Queen: The Studio Experience, Chaplin's World (Corsier-sur-Vevey)
- Historical Sites
- Old Town (Vieille-Ville), Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
- Religious Sites
- Saint Vincent Church (Vieille-Ville)
- Annual Events
- Montreux Jazz Festival (July), Montreux Noël (Christmas Market)
- Cultural Districts
- Montreux Lakeside Promenade
- Theater Venues
- Auditorium Stravinski, Théâtre Montreux-Riviera
- Local Markets
- Montreux Friday Market (Place du Marché)
- Music Scene
- Montreux Jazz Lab, Funky Claude's Bar
- Street Art
- Freddie Mercury lakeside mural, sculptures on the promenade
- Cooking Classes
- Alimentarium (Academy of Food) in nearby Vevey
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Atelier (Grand' Rue 15)
- Historic Buildings
- Grand Hôtel de Territet
- Local Heritage
- Lavaux Vineyard Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rochers-de-Naye (2,042m accessible by cogwheel train)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc Naturel Régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lakeside path from Montreux to Villeneuve
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Glion village (panoramic lake views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Les Grangettes Nature Reserve (at the mouth of the Rhone)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Gresaley/Villeneuve beach public BBQ spots
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Swiss Post (La Poste), DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Store (Geneva/Lausanne), PC-Clinique (Vevey)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Parc de l'Indépendance
- Language Classes
- Swiss French School (Montreux), Alpadia Language School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque de Montreux (Grand' Rue 92)
- Community Centers
- Maison de Quartier d'Eterpe
- Gaming Lounges
- No-Limit (Lausanne)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Barrière Montreux
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 13,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 520,000 CHF)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 420,000 CHF)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 750,000 CHF)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 600,000 CHF)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 960,000 CHF)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 760,000 CHF)
- Corporate Tax
- Approx. 13.5% (Vaud Cantonal/Federal rate combined)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 35% (Can be reclaimed depending on residency)
- Tax System
- Three levels: Federal, Cantonal, and Communal
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 41% combined
- VAT
- 8.1% (standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but subject to anti-abuse provisions
- Property Tax
- Yes, Canton of Vaud applies an annual tax on real estate (impôt foncier)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Total ~3.3% (Transfer tax and notary fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low tax compared to neighbors, and 'lump-sum' taxation for high-net-worth non-EU residents