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Expat gu idE : Switzerlandincludes geneva c i ty g u i dethis expat guide offers information and advice if you are moving to switzerland.

click on the different tabs to find out about anything from tax rules and banking to education and cultural highlights.

You can also read our city guide to Zurich.

Bupa International is the specialist international division of Bupa, and we have operations in UK, Denmark, USA,

Spain, France, Hong Kong, Egypt, UAE and Australia.We care for the lives in our hands, and are dedicated to providing all the insurance services, help and advice you need to keep yourself and your family in the best of health. Our dedicated team respects everyone’s individuality, culture, privacy and dignity, and aims to provide a personal service you can rely on throughout your Bupa International membership.

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Moving to SwitzerlandSwitzerland’s prosperous cities and cantons make the country an ideal expat destination. Expat workers have long been

integrated into the economy, particularly the financial and diplomatic sectors, where the demand is high. More than 21%

of Switzerland’s 7.5 million workers are foreign nationals.

Although above average salaries compensate for it, the cost of living is exceptionally high. Crime is a rarity, and social

problems virtually non-existent. Appropriately for a country famed for its watch-making, Switzerland runs likes clockwork,

a point of great pride for the Swiss.

Switzerland ranks second in quality of life according to the Economist. The few drawbacks include an occasionally insular

population of locals who don’t fully welcome expats, and comprehensively cold and snowy winters. But as they say, if life

gives you snow, go skiing, and that is precisely what many expats find themselves doing on the world-class Alpine slopes

around Geneva, Interlaken and St Moritz.

Shipping and removalsTo import your household goods into Switzerland, you need to complete Form 18.44: “Declaration/Application for

clearance of household effects”. Together with this you need to submit assurance of a residence authorisation or proof of

accommodation. Ensure your removals company advises you on these requirements. You can find out more information

here and download the form from the Swiss Federal Customs Administration.

To import pets from your home country, you need a veterinary certificate and electronic tagging. Check in with the

Federal Veterinary Office (www.bvet.admin.ch) for the precise details.

Customs information: www.ezv.admin.ch

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Working in SwitzerlandBelow you will find information about:

• Visas and work permits

• Banking, money and taxes

• Business culture

• Public holidays

Switzerland has a formal work culture where it is important to observe rules of decorum and etiquette. The Swiss are

typically reserved and should be greeted with the appropriate title of Herr or Frau rather than first names. Punctuality is

important as meetings start on time and are run efficiently. The right to four weeks holiday per year is guaranteed by law.

Visa and work permitsGetting a work visa and residence permit for Switzerland is not easy unless you work for the United Nations or have

specialist skills. Non-EU candidates will need to possess skills that are not available among the local population.

For UN employees, it is a simple matter of being issued with a carte de legitimation which entitles the bearer to live in

Switzerland for the duration of their employment.

A bilateral agreement between the EU and Swiss government now makes it straightforward for citizens of the European

Union to work in Switzerland. By 2014 it is planned to scrap work visa requirements entirely for EU citizens.

Banking, money and taxesYour money is very welcome in Switzerland. There are more than 600 banks in Switzerland and opening an account

is quick and easy. All you need is a passport, proof of address and either an employment contract or proof of income.

Accounts cannot be opened anonymously, although bank-client confidentiality rules are still strictly observed. A minimum

initial deposit will be required; the amount varies according to the bank.

Customer service levels are high and banking charges low. Special salary accounts pay a higher rate of interest in

exchange for fewer services. Wealthy clients might use a private bank in one of the smaller cantons.

Cash is used more frequently than credit cards and cheques for day-to-day transactions. The most popular credit card is

Eurocard. Monthly charges are around CHF50.

Expats living in Switzerland more than 180 days per year are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income.

However, thanks to double taxation treaties with over 50 countries, tax paid in one country can be deducted from the

other. Tax rates are low and seldom exceed 30 percent. Foreign workers who are not residents will have their tax deducted

from the salaries by their employers.

Expats retiring to Switzerland, and not making an income, can opt for lump-sum taxation, the amount of which is

negotiated based on your standard of living.

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Business cultureBusiness in Switzerland is formal and punctuality is vital for meetings. Different styles vary depending on the type of

business, as well as from the Swiss-French to the Swiss-German and Swiss-Italian side. For example, Swiss-Italian/French

meetings frequently occur over meals while Swiss-German meetings are often brief and curt.

Business suits are normal for meetings for both men and women, and handshakes are the acceptable form of greeting.

Business hours are generally Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.30pm.

Public holidaysMany public holidays are cantonal, so that each canton is free to allow them or not.

You can see a full overview of the holiday system here.

2011 2012

New Year’s Day 1 Jan 1 Jan

Saint Berchtold Day 2 Jan 2 Jan

Good Friday 22 Apr 6 Apr

Easter Sunday 24 Apr 8 Apr

Easter Monday 25 Apr 9 Apr

Ascension Day 2 Jun 17 May

Whit Monday 13 Jun 28 May

Corpus Christi 23 Jun 7 Jun

Swiss National Day 1 Aug 1 Aug

Assumption of Mary 15 Aug 15 Aug

St. Leodegar’s Day 2 Oct 2 Oct

All Saint’s Day 1 Nov 1 Nov

Immaculate Conception 8 Dec 8 Dec

Christmas Day 25 Dec 25 Dec

St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) 26 Dec 26 Dec

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Living and cultureBelow you will find information about:

• Cost of living

• Language

• Popular expat cities

• Will I need a car?

For information about Bupa International healthcare click here.

With four official languages and a surprisingly multicultural population, Switzerland is diverse enough to encompass its

expat population. English is widely spoken and you will get by without having to learn one of the official languages —

German, French, Italian and Romansch.

Many expats remark on how hard it is to make friends with the local Swiss. It is true that the locals have a reputation for

being reserved and conservative, and while never hostile to expats, they are seldom outgoing. One thing that can be hard

to adjust to is the petty laws which restrict certain behaviours. For example, if you live in a block of flats, there are set

times you can use the washing machine and you cannot wash your car on a Sunday. Overall, however, Switzerland is an

easy country to adapt to, with sufficient expat communities to ease the transition from home should you need it.

Cost of livingSwitzerland is ranked the fourth most expensive place to live, according to Mercer’s 2009 Cost of Living survey. Salaries

are amongst the highest in Europe too. It is therefore essential for expats moving to Switzerland to earn a salary that

reflects the high cost of living — anything less than CHF50,000 a year will be a struggle.

The cost of living in Switzerland may be high but you get a lot for your money. Everything works in Switzerland — the

public transport is efficient, the roads are safe, there is low crime, it’s clean and extremely picturesque. For these reasons

Zurich and Geneva often rank in the top 5 cities to live in the world.

Restaurants, bars, and grocery stores are more expensive than almost anywhere else. Expect to pay 20-30% more on

groceries in Switzerland than in neighbouring countries. There are a few discount grocery stores, however these are

generally frowned upon by the Swiss.

Alcohol is still relatively reasonable due to the level of VAT and state taxes charged. VAT in Switzerland is about 8%,

compared to nearly 20% in Germany and France.

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Housing is a huge expense for expats — expect to pay anything from CHF 1000 to CHF 3000 per month for a decent

tw- bedroom apartment. This does not include water and electricity which is billed annually. Also, the availability of

apartments is not great, especially in places such as Geneva where occupancy rates are very high.

Purchasing a house is very difficult in Switzerland and is not recommended unless you plan to stay in Switzerland for the

long term. An expat’s ability to purchase will depend on:

1. their employment visa status

2. whether they are prepared to keep the house for at least 5 years to prevent price speculation

3. whether they can afford the 20% minimum down payment to be paid on the total house value

A bit of a relief comes from the low income taxes. Services are also paid for as you use them so you can definitely save

some money here.

LanguageSwitzerland has four official languages: Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansch. Most Swiss people understand

English, but it helps if you speak one of the official languages, although Romansch is only spoken by an estimated 1% of

the population.

Popular expat citiesGeneva, Basel and Zurich are the most densely populated cities and the most popular expat destinations.

Will I need a car?With reliable and comfortable public transport, you can commute very easily without requiring your own vehicle. However,

on weekends, when you might want to explore the countryside or head for the slopes, you will appreciate having your

own car.

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EducationFor more information about education and schools view the guides to Geneva or Zurich

Education and schools in Geneva Swiss schools are uniformly excellent. Children are allocated places according to where the parents live, so bear this in

mind when choosing accommodation in Geneva.

The school terms run from September to December, January to March and April to June. School hours are typically from

8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm.

Wednesday afternoons are free, but certain schools have classes on Saturday mornings. Children tend to work harder at

Swiss schools, and there is plenty of homework.

Tuition is in French, so it might be worth getting language lessons before arrival, or enrolling in one of the English-

language international schools.

Education and schools in Zurich A deserved reputation for exclusive, top, private education means that you can be safe in the knowledge that your child

will receive the best education at any school in Zurich.

The city’s international schools are excellent, but come at a premium. They prepare children beyond the demands of

college and university requirements, often focusing on other aspects of life such as the outdoors, religion or deportment.

The Swiss schools in Zurich place a strong emphasis on mastering mathematics as a subject and on being able to

understand the curriculum in German. A much more rigid and disciplined method of teaching is employed in Swiss

Schools and school hours are different to those at American or British schools. Children in primary school are, for

example, required to eat lunch at home.

Education and Schools in Zurich:

Comprehensive list of private schools: http://www.zurich-relocation.ch/web/?details=39

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Useful informationTime: The local time in Switzerland is GMT + 1 hour (GMT + 2 hours between March and October).

Currency: The Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland. It is divided into 100 rappen in German, centimes

in French, centesimo in Italian or rap in Romansh. You can check the latest exchange rates here.

Electricity: The electrical current in Switzerland is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the linear, rounded three-pin type, but

rounded two-pin plugs will fit the outlet.

Safety: Switzerland’s crime rate is very low. Petty criminals, such as thieves and pickpockets, operate in the larger cities

and at public places. Expats who relocate here should exercise the same caution as they would in any other big city in the

world and should be aware of robberies on overnight trains.

Communications: When dialling out of the country, the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (eg

0027 for the SWITZERLAND) and the international country dialling code for Switzerland is +41. City/area codes are also

in use, while mobile phones operate on GSM 1800 and 900 networks and can be found all over the country. High speed

broadband ADSL internet is common in most businesses and homes available through a range of providers. Internet cafes

are available in the main towns and resorts. Some public phone booths have internet and email access.

Climate in Switzerland: Expats moving to Switzerland should prepare themselves for moderate temperatures with no

extreme in either hot or cold. The summer months from June to September are warm and the best time for outdoor

activities. Winter is cold with snow and expats should make use of the ski resorts open in late November before the

tourist season begins.

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zu r ic h

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Embassy contact details Switzerland Embassies:

• Swiss Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 745 7900

• Swiss Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7616 6000

• Swiss Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 1837

• Swiss Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6162 8400

• Swiss Embassy, Pretoria, SWITZERLAND: +27 (0)12 452 0660

• Swiss Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 218 6382

• Swiss Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 472 1593/4.

Foreign Embassies in Switzerland :

• United States Embassy, Berne: +41(0)31 357 7011

• British Embassy, Berne: +41 (0)31 359 7700

• Canadian Embassy, Berne: +41 (0)31 357 3200

• Australian Consulate-General, Geneva: +41 (0)22 799 9100

• SWITZERLANDn Embassy, Berne: +41 (0)31 350 1313

• Irish Embassy, Berne: +41 (0)31 352 1442

• New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Switzerland): +49 (0)30 206 210.

Useful links Wordtravels.com has an extensive travel guide to Switzerland:

• http://wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Switzerland

Banking, Money and Taxes in Switzerland:

• Directory of Swiss banks: www.swconsult.ch/cgi-bin/banklist.pl

• Details on banking in Switzerland: www.swissbanking.org/en/home/faq-kontoeroeffnung.htm

Visa and Work Permits for Switzerland:

• Immigration information: www.swissemigration.ch

• Switzerland government portal: www.ch.ch

• Recruitment website: www.jobs.ch

• Recruitment resource: www.jobwinner.ch

Useful expat resource:

• http://www.expatica.com/ch/main.html

This content is provided by www.expatarrivals.com, copyright © 2011 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this expat guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they’re relying with the relevant authorities.Neither Globe Media nor Bupa International can be held liable for any errors or omissions, or any loss, damage, illness and/or injury that may occur as a result of this information.Bupa International is not responsible for the content of external websites.

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Expat gu idE : GeneVa

this expat guide offers information and advice if you are moving to geneva. click on the different tabs to find out about anything from tax rules and banking to education and cultural highlights.

You can also read our guides to switzerland and zurich.

Bupa International is the specialist international division of Bupa, and we have operations in UK, Denmark, USA,

Spain, France, Hong Kong, Egypt, UAE and Australia.We care for the lives in our hands, and are dedicated to providing all the insurance services, help and advice you need to keep yourself and your family in the best of health. Our dedicated team respects everyone’s individuality, culture, privacy and dignity, and aims to provide a personal service you can rely on throughout your Bupa International membership.

1 1 /20

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Moving to GenevaGeneva is Switzerland’s most international city, a long-established haven for skilled expats from every corner of the globe.

As the European headquarters of the UN, WHO and several key multinationals, such as IBM and Dell, Geneva has an

identity far broader than the Swiss parochialism of its rural cantons. The official language is French but you are just as

likely to hear English, Spanish, Russian or even Arabic from its polyglot population.

Geneva has plenty of beauty to seduce expats; wonderful parks, superb museums and close proximity to the best skiing in

the Alps combine to offer respite from the rigidity and punctuality of the Swiss working week.

One key advantage of living in Geneva is the proximity to other European countries. This makes Geneva a perfect base to

explore the wider charms of the continent while building a career in one of the most competitive and rewarding cities.

Shipping and removalsIn order to move to Switzerland, you need a resident permit or work permit, or authorisation for a second residence.

Once you’ve made the move you need to notify the local cantonal authority and provide the necessary paperwork.

A range of other documentation is required to import your household contents, and separate documents for bringing

your car in to the county.

• Swiss removals company: http://www.devis-demenageurs-internationaux.ch/

• Useful guide to relocation: www.expats-moving-and-relocation-guide.com/index.html

• Details and advice on moving pets overseas: www.petrelocation.com/petrules-87.html

• Moving Home Company: www.movinghomecompany.com

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Working in GenevaBelow you will find information about:

• Visa and work permits

• Banking, money and taxes

• Business

• Public holidays

Most expats working in Geneva were recruited to come here, but it is possible to find work through local publications such

as the Tribune de Genève and Tout l’Emploi.

The work culture is serious and task-focused. The Swiss are punctual and disciplined in their business dealings. Formal

greetings such as Herr and Frau are preferred to first names.

Visa and work permits (Switzerland)Getting a work visa and residence permit for Switzerland is not easy unless you work for the United Nations or have

specialist skills. Non-EU candidates will need to possess skills that are not available among the local population.

For UN employees, it is a simple matter of being issued with a carte de legitimation which entitles the bearer to live in

Switzerland for the duration of their employment.

A bilateral agreement between the EU and Swiss government now makes it straightforward for citizens of the European

Union to work in Switzerland. By 2014 it is planned to scrap work visa requirements entirely for EU citizens.

Banking, money and taxes (Switzerland)Your money is very welcome in Switzerland. There are more than 600 banks in Switzerland and opening an account

is quick and easy. All you need is a passport, proof of address and either an employment contract or proof of income.

Accounts cannot be opened anonymously, although bank-client confidentiality rules are still strictly observed. A minimum

initial deposit will be required; the amount varies according to the bank.

Customer service levels are high and banking charges low. Special salary accounts pay a higher rate of interest in

exchange for fewer services. Wealthy clients might use a private bank in one of the smaller cantons.

Cash is used more frequently than credit cards and cheques for day-to-day transactions. The most popular credit card is

Eurocard. Monthly charges are around CHF50.

Expats living in Switzerland more than 180 days per year are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income.

However, thanks to double taxation treaties with over 50 countries, tax paid in one country can be deducted from the

other. Tax rates are low and seldom exceed 30 percent. Foreign workers who are not residents will have their tax deducted

from the salaries by their employers.

Expats retiring to Switzerland, and not making an income, can opt for lump-sum taxation, the amount of which is

negotiated based on your standard of living.

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Business culture (Switzerland)Business in Switzerland is formal and punctuality is vital for meetings. Different styles vary depending on the type of

business, as well as from the Swiss-French to the Swiss-German and Swiss-Italian side. For example, Swiss-Italian/French

meetings frequently occur over meals while Swiss-German meetings are often brief and curt.

Business suits are normal for meetings for both men and women, and handshakes are the acceptable form of greeting.

Business hours are generally Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.30pm.

Public holidaysMany public holidays are cantonal, so that each canton is free to allow them or not.

You can see a full overview of the holiday system here.

2011 2012

New Year’s Day 1 Jan 1 Jan

Saint Berchtold Day 2 Jan 2 Jan

Saint Berchtold Day 2 Jan 2 Jan

Good Friday 22 Apr 6 Apr

Easter Sunday 24 Apr 8 Apr

Easter Monday 25 Apr 9 Apr

Ascension Day 2 Jun 17 May

Whit Monday 13 Jun 28 May

Corpus Christi 23 Jun 7 Jun

Swiss National Day 1 Aug 1 Aug

Assumption of Mary 15 Aug 15 Aug

St. Leodegar’s Day 2 Oct 2 Oct

All Saint’s Day 1 Nov 1 Nov

Immaculate Conception 8 Dec 8 Dec

Christmas Day 25 Dec 25 Dec

St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) 26 Dec 26 Dec

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Living and accommodationBelow you will find information about:

• Accommodation

• Weather

• Property and tax benefits

• Distance to the ski slopes

• Nurseries

For information about Bupa International healthcare click here.

Accommodation Switzerland has one of Europe’s lowest rates of personal property ownership. This means that accommodation in

Switzerland is rented by most people — and that equates to a general shortage of flats and high rentals for expats.

By some estimates, less than 0.2 percent of Geneva’s 210,000 domiciles are available for rent.

For those struggling to find a decent apartment, a good alternative to the inner-city suburbs of Geneva are the peripheral

areas of Cologny, Chênes-Bougeries, Meyrin, Grand-Saconnex, Veyrier, Carouge and Lancy, all of which have decent

transport into the city.

Rentals run from around CHF1,000 per month for a 2-bedroom flat, with an extra amount for a parking bay. Flats tend

to be well maintained and governed by a range of rules that ensure civil behaviour from neighbours. Buying a property in

Geneva can be tricky as, without permanent residency, you require the authorisation of the Cantonal authority.

For a complete listing of registered Geneva estate agents, call the Société des Régisseurs de Genève — 022 715 02 20.

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Weather With a moderate continental climate, Geneva experiences warm to hot summers while the winter months are relatively

mild with the temperatures dropping to around freezing. Expats relocating to Geneva should invest in a good umbrella as

rainfall occurs throughout the year.

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Property and tax benefits by living in France?By living over the border and going home every evening, you are a frontalier for Swiss tax purposes. This means you are

taxed at source on your Swiss salary by your employer. Then, as you are a French resident, you must file a French tax

return to cover all your remaining income and property. See www.frontalier.com for more information.

Distance to the ski slopesGeneva is considered to be the gateway to the Alps. You can get to the slopes of Verbier — one the very best ski areas in

Switzerland — within two hours by train. Chamonix in France is just one hour away.

NurseriesGeneva has excellent childcare facilities running from 7am to 6.30pm. The cost is calculated according to how much you

earn. See www.genevefamille.ch for more details.

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Below you will find about:

• See and do

• Attractions for kids

• Restaurants

• Shopping

• Nightlife

• Annual events

See and doWith historic, religious and natural attractions to discover, Geneva will provide its new residents with plenty of great

activities and sightseeing opportunities.

Visit the largest lake in Europe, Lake Geneva, marvel at the Jet d-Eau that shoots water high up into the air, stroll through

the Jardin Anglais and have your picture taken at the Ile Rousseau monument. Culture vultures will love the Museum of

Modern and Contemporary Art, the Barbier-Mueller Museum as well as the Museum of Art and History, while history

buffs should visit the Palais des Nations (United Nations) and pass some time at the Patek Philippe Museum.

Public parks: More than one quarter of Geneva is made up of public parks, so this city is a great place to get out and

stretch the legs after a long day at the office. Visit Bastion Park to see the 328-foot (100m) Reformation Wall, the English

Garden to see the flower clock, or Park Moynier for breathtaking views of Mont Blanc.

St Peter’s Cathedral: First built in 1160, St Peter’s Cathedral has become an eclectic mix of architectural style over

the years, featuring Romanesque, Gothic and Neoclassical styles. Climb the 157 steps that lead to the summit of the

cathedral’s north tower for panoramic views over the city.

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman): Shared by Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to

its shores each year. Featuring little chalet villages, it is the perfect weekend getaway for expats to come and discover one

of the country’s most famed attractions.

Jet d’Eau: This is the tallest fountain in the world, with water shooting 460 feet (140m) into the air at a speed of

124 miles per hour (200km/h). A great place for a romantic stroll at night, the Jet d’Eau is lit up after dark creating a

magical spectacle that is not to be missed.

International Red Cross and red Crescent Museum: This museum brings together sculpture, installation, photography

and film to showcase and highlight the importance of human rights as well as reflecting on the work that the Red Cross

has done over the years when it comes to humanitarian work with natural disasters and wars. www.micr.ch / Tel: (0)22

748 9525

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Palais des Nations (United Nations): Built between 1929 and 1937 to host the League of Nations, Palais des Nations

now houses the United Nations Office at Geneva, and is the biggest UN office outside the headquarters in New York.

Take a tour of the building and enjoy the peacocks who roam freely through the vast gardens.

www.unog.ch / Tel: (0)22 917 4896

Plaine de Plainpalais Flea Market: This bustling flea market is a must on Tuesday and Friday mornings when fresh fruit

and vegetables abound. Wednesday and Saturdays are the days to come and look for antiques, vintage clothing, clocks,

paintings, records and books.

Place Neuve: The best access point for the Old Town, Place Neuve is home to three of the city’s performance and

exhibition halls, namely the Grand Theatre (opera house), Conservatory of Music and Rath Museum.

Barbier-Mueller Museum: Home to 7,000 artworks and artefacts from around the world, a visit to the Barbier-Mueller

Museum is a must for history and culture buffs. Marvel at megalithic monuments from Indonesia, pre-Columbian art from

the Americas, statues and items of worship from Oceania and ancient masks and shields from Africa.

www.barbier-mueller.ch / Tel: (0)22 312 0270

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: Spend hours marvelling at the range of contemporary art it houses.

Exhibitions are constantly changing and every four months the museum reinvents itself, making it a great place to visit

more than just once. Tel: (0)22 320 6122

Attractions for kidsFor a lazy day with the family, pack a picnic and head to one of the city’s fabulous parks; the English Garden is a favourite

with children where the flower clock will amaze young minds.

During the summer months, kids can splash and cool off in the Aquaparc on the many water rides and slides. Forestland

is also a good place for kids to let off some steam on the monkey bridges and climbing apparatus. Younger kids will love

meeting their favourite farm animals at La Ferme Foraine Bonaventure, and Happyland has numerous rides and games. For

something more educational, the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle is a good place to learn about the world in a fun way.

RestaurantsGeneva boasts more restaurants per capita than New York City and offers an explosion for the senses Traditional local

restaurants serve Swiss fare such as fresh fish from the lake, petit salé (salt pork) and longeole (pork sausage). However,

your favourite cuisine from home can also be found here.

Head to the hotels on Quai Du Mont Blanc and Chemin du Petit Saconnex for some seriously mouth-watering French

cuisine, while the Rue du Prieuré is home to one of the city’s most popular Indian restaurants and Boulevard Helvetique

features plenty of cafés. Most restaurants include a 15% service charge on bills.

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ShoppingSpecialising in some of the world’s best chocolate, jewellery, wine and watches, Geneva is a great place to enjoy the

finer things in life. However, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Look out for bargains at some of the city’s markets, such as

the Kane Country Flea Market which takes place on the first weekend of every month; the clothes and book market on

the Place de la Madeleine; and the Plaine de Plainpalais Flea Market where you will find everything from fresh fruit and

vegetables to leather goods.

The Rues Basses is where it all happens though and is considered the main shopping drag in Geneva, while Rue de la

Confédération and Rue du Marché are great for clothing and La Chocolaterie Rohr on Rue du Rhone sells the city’s finest

chocolates.

NightlifeGeneva’s nightlife might not exactly blow your hair back, but it has its fair share of trendy pubs and bars, and even a few

clubs. The Plaine de Plainpalais is a good place for the younger crowd, where student bars congregate, while the Place du

Bourg de Four, near the old Town Hall is another good bet.

Annual eventsInternational Tree and Lights Festival (November to January): Inviting artists from all over the world, the International

Tree and Lights Festival sees the city’s tree-lined streets light up with breathtaking fairy lights. The walls of the city are

also adorned with works from a multitude of artistic disciplines. Street parties, competitions and shows bring the city’s

residents together in a unique celebration.

Geneva Festival (July/August): Attracting thousands of people to the shores of Lake Geneva, this annual festival is a

celebration of food, music, parades and fairs with a grand finale of fireworks and a celebration to rival no other in the city.

Geneva Music Festival (June): The streets of Geneva are turned into a musical stage each year when the Geneva Music

Festival takes place featuring performances by renowned local and international artists. With everything from classical

orchestra to hard rock, the city comes to life with the sound of music.

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Education and schoolsSwiss schools are uniformly excellent. Children are allocated places according to where the parents live, so bear this in mind

when choosing accommodation in Geneva.

The school terms run from September to December, January to March and April to June. School hours are typically from 8am

to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm.

Wednesday afternoons are free, but certain schools have classes on Saturday mornings. Children tend to work harder at

Swiss schools, and there is plenty of homework.

Tuition is in French, so it might be worth getting language lessons before arrival, or enrolling in one of the English-language

international schools.

Useful links• Collège du Léman: www.cdl.ch

• Institut Le Rosey: www.rosey.ch

• International School of Geneva: www.ecolint.ch

• Swiss Federation of Private Schools: www.swiss-schools.ch

This content is provided by www.expatarrivals.com, copyright © 2011 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this expat guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they’re relying with the relevant authorities.Neither Globe Media nor Bupa International can be held liable for any errors or omissions, or any loss, damage, illness and/or injury that may occur as a result of this information.Bupa International is not responsible for the content of external websites.

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