Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#970
47.374448, 8.541042
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, known for its high quality of life, vibrant cultural scene, and as a global financial hub. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 421,878 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100-300 Mbps, with widespread availability of fiber optic connections. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 CHF ≈ 1.06 USD as of November 2024. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality; Zurich has some of the best tap water in the world. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt are popular mobile providers offering various prepaid and postpaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Credit Suisse, UBS, and online banking services like Revolut and N26. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments for rent via Airbnb and local rental sites like Homegate and ImmoScout. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, widely cashless-friendly with cards accepted almost everywhere. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is widely used, with proper regulations in place in the city. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Zurich and Zurich Youth Hostels offer budget-friendly lodging options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Zurich, known for its vibrant community and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Bureau, a popular spot with great coffee and a conducive working environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech Open Air (TOA) and Meetup.com events cater to various interests for networking. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Zurich Facebook group and local events organized by International Community Zurich. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available in Zurich, alongside local taxis. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Züri rollt offers free bike rentals, and Lime provides electric scooters across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Strandbad Mythenquai, a popular lakeside beach area about 10 minutes by tram. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Swiss International Air Lines operates regional routes within Switzerland and to neighboring countries. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa service major international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via A1 and A3 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB) is the main train station, providing extensive rail services. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | ZVV travel passes offer discounts for unlimited travel on trams, buses, and trains within Zurich. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regional trains and buses easily connect to nearby cities like Lucerne and Zug. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Hospital Zurich (UniversitätsSpital Zürich) for comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Circle and The Yoga Academy Zurich are popular wellness centers. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Park and McFit offer various fitness options across the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat Zurich and similar self-service laundry facilities available in various neighborhoods. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Smood are popular food delivery options in Zurich. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Zurich-style veal (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) is a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Hiltl, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, offers a diverse menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Confiserie Sprüngli, famous for its Luxemburgerli macarons and treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Helvetiaplatz offers fresh produce at local markets. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local marketplaces like Galaxus and online giants like Amazon operate here. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coop and Migros offer grocery delivery services through their respective apps. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Zurich West is known for its vibrant nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Zurich's oldest brewery, Wolfram, offers guided tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wagenhallen is a trendy spot offering a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Zurich Street Food Market at Helvetiaplatz features various vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Guanabara serves a wide range of Latin American dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Lake Zurich and the Altstadt (Old Town) are iconic Zurich attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Kunsthaus Zürich and the Swiss National Museum offer rich cultural insights. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Grossmünster and Fraumünster are pivotal historical churches in Zurich. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Fraumünster, famous for its stained glass windows, is a key religious landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Street Parade, held in August, is one of the largest techno parades in the world. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Zurich West is known for its artistic vibe and cultural spaces. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Zurich Opera House features world-class performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and the Freitag Design Shop for creative products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Zurich hosts various music events at venues like maag Halle and Kaserne. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Visit the Langstrasse area for vibrant street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Zürich's local cuisine classes at Markt and Kulinarik offer hands-on experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The ETH Zurich main building is a notable architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Zurcher Zunft houses represent Zurich’s historical guilds. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Uetliberg Mountain offers stunning views and hiking trails just outside the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Swiss National Park is accessible for scenic day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The lakeside promenades offer beautiful walking and biking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | To get panoramic views, visit the observatory on Uetliberg. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Fallenbrunnen and Lake Zurich are good spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas along Lake Zurich allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Swiss Post provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit Zurich offers electronic repairs for various devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various parks in Zurich have free public table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Migros Clubschule offers a wide range of language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Zürich Central Library is a peaceful study space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Zürcher Volkshaus is a cultural community hub with various events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Spot gaming lounge offers a place for gamers to gather. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Zurich offers gaming experiences and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 12,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = CHF 360,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 8,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = CHF 255,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 11,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 660,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 450,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CHF 9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 760,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CHF 6,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 520,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is approximately 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The applicable withholding tax is around 35%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rate system based on global income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 40%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard Value Added Tax rate is 7.7%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict regulations governing CFC taxation. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on the estimated rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically, a fee of 1% applies to property purchases. |