Australians finding work in Switzerland

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hey everyone,

Hopre you're all doing well.

My husband and I have been working in the insurance industry for the last 8-10yrs. We have been married for 4 yrs and no kids.

Our dream is to live in Switzerland for 6-12months. ( before we have kids)

Our struggle is finding work over there.

We would like to work in insurance companies but it seems like we need to know how to speack german or french.??

Just wondering if anyone has any tips how to find a job?

We would appreicate any help.

Aimy

2
6-12 months on an Aussie passport -forget about it. Short term roles wont exist and they will be given to EU citizens by requirement first.

If you want a permanent role and have a specialist skill and are more skilled than the EU then much better chance.

If you have EU passports also better.

3
Great!! Thanks for the comment! Now I can stop dreaming and plan a holiday there instead of living there.

4
Now we are planning to go over there for one month and apply for any jobs. Does Aussies still have a chance even if it's not corporate?

5
From what I understand, you can not apply for jobs whilst you are here as a tourist. If you were to find a job you would have to apply for all the permits and visas back in Australia.

6
Yeah I think you're right! Wish I was born in Switzerland Anyone want to trade citizen for a few months? Just joking.

Seems like it's hard getting a job in Switzerland so my next plan is maybe the next country.

Thanks for your reply anyhow

7
I think you are barking up the wrong country. The easiest and most likely solution is to try and find a job in London. You speak the language, visa`s are relatively easy it`s not the best economy right now but you have a much bigger chance there than mainland Europe without a local language.

It`s a short flight London to Switzerland and to a lot of Europe.

This I would suggest is your most practically possible solution. Besides London has a lot to offer when you are young and kidless.

Good luck.

8
Your best bet is to find a job with a Swiss Company in Australia and try to

do an internal transfer to Switzerland with them.

That's how I got here.

9

I think you need to decide whether you want a life in a new country or just an extended holiday. You’ll probably struggle to find anyone who’ll employ you for just 6 to 12 months in the insurance business whatever country you land in. If you just want to get away for a while fine, but a life changing move halfway around the world definitely needs more thought and research on your part.

10
Hi Mark,

Did you work for a Swiss company in Australia? Then transfer and moved to Switzerland? Is that correct. Curious to know how long it took you to transfer?

Thank you for everyone's comment. I am in the middle of researching everything and this forum is helping with all if your feedback

Life goal is to live in Switzerland for 6-12months. The dream would be to live there forever. I know it's definitely not easy though.

Back to my research....

11
Another option might be to come to study. Either a language or something relevant to your profession. You will then get a permit for as long as the course. While studying you can then apply to work for up to 20hpw. But conditions depend on the canton, some may not let you work.

You will need sufficient savings to show you can support yourself while here.

Also it may be difficult actually finding part-time work without knowing a local language.

12
Good suggestion (assuming they can afford to study here for 6+ months). It would be a great way to get to know the country/culture and decide if Switzerland lives up to expectations.

Learning a local language would greatly help you to find a job here. But be prepared for trouble getting a permit. Even if you are offered a job the Swiss gov. may reject you and insist that the company hire a Swiss or EU person. I am a kiwi and have suffered this discrimination...it sucks.

You should also check out United Nations jobs in Geneva. Visas are usually not a problem for the UN.

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Hi soontogo,

Sorry a few questions- Are you in Switzerland right now? Are you currently looking for work? or found a part time job? How long have you been there?

I went around the world 8 months ago and fell in love with Switzerland.

I'm going to continue to research and weigh it all up.

Thank you everyone for the previous posts

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I am Australian. Do not have an EU passport. On a work visa employed as a teacher in a Gymnasium (senior high school) in Switzerland for 12 months.

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Hi Vivienne!!!!

WOW! So it's possible! Can I ask you how you found the job? Did you look when you were in Aussie land? How did you go with interviews and visa? Did you apply visa in Aussie? Sorry so many questions! Appreiciate your comments!

16
Not trying to put you off, but living and working somehwere is hugely different to a holiday. It does sound like you have a case of "rose tinted glasses".

I would second the suggestion that you consider London as an alternative.

17
I would say that life in London (and more generally, in the UK) is very different compared to life in Switzerland.

If the OP dreams about living in Switzerland, depending on the reasons for the "dream", then London might not be the place to go.

For instance, if the OP dreams about a place with heaps of amazing quality, free museums, or a place with hundreds of excellent pubs and restaurants catering to every conceivable taste, then London is the place to be.

But if the OP wants excellent healthcare, good schools, low crime, a large house and low taxes, then London will be a big disappointment.

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For 6-12 months

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Yes, but at least it’s easier to visit Switzerland from London. From there it’s easy to come for a short holiday or two to get an idea of whether the country is really like they think it is.

Another source of good info is the book “Living and Working in Switzerland”. Your library might have a copy or your local bookshop/Amazon can order it. It’ll give you a much better idea of what’s involved in moving and living here as per rules/regs, do’s/don’ts, etc.

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My impression was that they want a "taste" to verify their assumptions.

Of course, I could be wrong.