I am living in Lausanne now and I have a hard time deciding between these two options. The major factors for me are the life quality and the people in each of these two areas. Which one is more suitable for long-term settlement? Where would it be easier to get integrated? If you have lived in these cities your feedback would be so valuable
Currently I have two job offers: 1) in Mannheim, Germany with 68000Euros gross salary 2) in Chur, Switzerland with 90000CHF gross salary. I am a citizen of a non-EU country.
The first question you should explore with the Swiss offer is whether or not the company is confident of your being granted a permit. It's up to the federal authorities; sometimes a permit is a cakewalk to obtain, sometimes well nigh on impossible.
So if you are leaning to the Swiss offer, before you turn down the German one do try to get a handle on the Swiss permit situation.
ETA: Just re-read your post - if you are living in Lausanne I assume you already have a Swiss permit. So never mind, nothing to see here. Nonetheless:
All the best with your decision.
No, there are still questions which could affect any decision.
First, what Swiss permit do you have and how do you have it? Via your current work or via marriage to a Swiss/EU national?
Anyway, here ́s a link to the requirements for Germany:
http://www.bamf.de/DE/Migration/Arbe...EEE83.1_cid286
Mannheim is an ok city, small (I think). Have been there for a couple of conferences, no idea actually how it is to live there.
As to whether the salary is better in Germany or Switzerland, are you married, do you have kids? Taxes f.e. are much higher in Germany but health insurance would cover your kids for free if you are not privately insured.
The Swiss company has assured me that they can get me a B work permit.
Thank you very much for the link!
I am married, no kids. My wife will to try to find a job in a close by region to the area we would finally live... hopefully...
Do you have that in writing? Is there a clause in the contract that says it will only be valid if you get the permit? It is difficult to switch jobs as a non EU so better beware!
There is actually a clause in the contract which says that it is valid only if the company manages to get a B permit for me. Thank you, I will double check to make sure
Sorry, but no assurances whatsoever. If you’re on a non-EU L permit changing jobs isn’t permitted. If you’re on a tied B then it’s very difficult to change. If they’re willing to try and you want the job then let them have a go, but don’t resign from your current job until you have confirmation that a new permit has been granted.
NO company can EVER assure aka guarantee any non-EU any permit, let alone the type of permit. No matter how big, they have no influence over the process and if they promise anything, they either have no clue or are lying.
Also, 68k in Germany will get you much further than 90k in Switzerland.
Very good point, thank you. Currently I have a B student permit with which I don't have the right to work. As I mentioned earlier it is noted in the contract that it is valid only if they manage to get me a B work permit.
Thank you. Do you know how is life quality in Chur? I have some clue about life style in Zurich but I am not sure about living in a small town like Chur.
Okay, that sounds a bit better. I assume you’ve just graduated from a Swiss uni in which case you’re pretty much on equal hiring terms with Swiss/EU nationals for the next 6 months. The employer still has to prove a scientific or economic importance to Switzerland, but it’s not quite as onerous as the full non-EU hiring criteria is.
Life quality is very high in Switzerland. Which country in Europe offers you the standard like Switzerland ? There are not many. And 90'000 CHF is a great salary - if you have money at the end of the month left, depends on your lifestyle ! And keep in mind: income tax is much higher in Germany. About 40% of your income. Good luck with your decision -
At that level it is not 40%, other items are cheaper (like housing, food) so OP should check what is more important to him
ElRe, are you maybe on EPFL ?
I think that after graduation or PhD completed CH will give you six month period to search for a job. You can apply for that and than your company will almost certainly at kantonal authorities get the B visa for you.
Because as a Swiss graduate even as a non-EU citizen you have the right in first six months to be treated as one !
Life in Germany is a bit cheaper (not so much in big cities, though).
But keep in mind: you can control your lifestyle and the amount of money you spend on stuff quite well (moving someplace smaller, cheaper, choice of car/transport, where you shop, what you shop, how often you shop) - but the one thing you can't really control is taxes and social contributions.
These are higher in Germany and you usually can't eat, shop and drink so much that it pays off somehow (19% VAT vs. 8% doesn't help there).
If you intend to marry and have a few kids, moving to Germany might pay off (child-care is much, much cheaper, paternal leave is better etc.pp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parent...d_Central_Asia )
If you live frugally, you can save up more money in Switzerland in a few years than in a much longer time in Germany.
Currently, that would be illegal for the OP in both Switzerland and Germany. I recommend investigating employment options in third world regions such as Mauritania, Somalia or Salt Lake City.
OK, didn't see that.
But having lots of young kids is probably cheaper in Germany.
If you're young enough, you can put them through childcare there and then maybe return to Switzerland ;-)
90k in Ch is not much compared to 68k in Germany.