Cost of living, tax & insurance · 17 guides
Real monthly budgets, health insurance and its deadlines, tax by canton and your pension, in Swiss francs and with dates.
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A single person usually spends CHF 4,000 to 5,500 a month, a family of four CHF 8,000 to 12,000. Rent is the biggest line. Health insurance is the one newcomers forget: you must sign up within three months of arriving, and your canton decides how much tax you pay.
Start with the monthly budget, then the insurance guides in the order you need them: health, accident, supplementary. The tax and pension guides matter once your first payslip arrives, and again when you leave.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget, single person | CHF 4,000–5,500 | Budget guide, as of 7 Jan 2026 |
| Monthly budget, family of four | CHF 8,000–12,000, before private school | Budget guide, as of 7 Jan 2026 |
| Basic health insurance | Mandatory; sign up within 3 months of arrival | Federal Office of Public Health, as of 1 Jan 2026 |
| Health insurance franchise | CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 a year | Health insurance guide, as of 14 May 2026 |
| Pillar 3a maximum, 2026 (with a pension fund) | CHF 7,258 | Pension guide, as of 29 May 2026 |
| Accident cover after a job ends | Non-work cover continues for 31 days | Accident cover guide, as of 26 Jun 2026 |
Each figure links to its source: an official page, a published price list, a guide or the ReloFinder directory.
Start with the first one. Most open with the short answer, and each shows when it was last updated.
Monthly budgets for singles, couples and families: rent, insurance, food, transport and tax.
ReadWhat your employer's accident cover includes, the 31-day gap after a job ends and the salary ceiling.
ReadWhy premiums rose again in 2026, what basic cover now includes and the three-month deadline.
ReadWhy one large 3a withdrawal costs more tax than several small ones, and how to set that up early.
ReadE-prescriptions are coming: how the QR code works at the pharmacy and what to ask your doctor.
ReadThe proposed levy on foreign residents: what the National Council approved, and why it is not law yet.
ReadSupplementary cover is underwritten. Why your first weeks in Switzerland are the best time to apply.
ReadFrom 2026 you can pay in missed 3a years. Who qualifies, and what it saves in tax.
ReadLeaving Switzerland: what you can take out of your pension fund, and how canton and timing change the tax.
ReadWhat changed since January: premiums up 4.4%, rents up about 3%, and what that adds up to.
ReadCHF 300 or CHF 2,500? The break-even maths behind your health insurance franchise.
ReadA single professional's month in Zurich, line by line, and where people usually overspend.
ReadHow federal, cantonal and municipal tax add up, withholding tax, and a canton-by-canton comparison.
ReadBank or insurance 3a: flexibility, costs and what happens if you leave Switzerland.
ReadHow to compare basic and supplementary cover, pick a franchise and switch insurer on time.
ReadHow to choose an English-speaking insurance or financial broker, and what to ask first.
ReadThe three insurances every newcomer needs, and the deadlines that come with them.
ReadThe top 3 for settling-in by our ranking: verified Google reviews, weighted by how many there are, captured 24 September 2026. No agency can pay to rank.
Zurich · EN DE FR
Clients mention 8 consultants by name
“From day one, Corinne provided exceptional service during our recent relocation. She was friendly, organized, and so helpful when it came to paperwork and registration. Corrine communicates…”
Riehen · DE EN FR IT ES
Clients mention 2 consultants by name
“Recently relocated to Basel from US and very lucky to be guided through the integration process by Claudia. So many things managed perfectly including securing a wonderful apartment…”
Zürich · EN DE
Clients mention 2 consultants by name
“I couldn’t recommend Silver Nest Relocation more than enough to anyone searching for an apartment in Zürich’s competitive housing market. From the very beginning, Caroline was a huge help…”
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