Visas
Switzerland is not a member state of the European Union, but it belongs to the Schengen area: this presents some advantages for European students, as they do not need a visa to study in Switzerland.
Students from EU countries must communicate (within 14 days of their arrival) to the regional (canton) authorities their place of residence in Switzerland and apply for a residence permit. In order to obtain it, you must demonstrate that you possess health insurance and that you have the financial means to support yourself in Switzerland. A proof of enrolment at a Swiss university is also required.
Once you have obtained the residence permit, this has an annual validity: it is renewed from year to year, always for the duration of one year, until the end of your studies. European students have the opportunity to work in Switzerland for a maximum of 15 hours per week: if they need to work more hours, they will be considered workers in all respects and will therefore need a specific work-related permit.
As far as non-European students are concerned, the situation is different: they have to ask the Swiss embassy or consulate for a visa entry permit.
Similarly, non-European students will also have to demonstrate that they are regularly enrolled in a Swiss university, that they have regularly paid university fees and that they can support themselves during their studies. All this is verified by the Swiss competent cantonal offices.
Healthcare system
Owning health insurance is a prerequisite for every foreign student. The health insurance is around 250-330 euros per month, but there may be exceptions: the European health insurance card is sufficient for a minimum coverage.
However, if you wish to have more coverage, you must take out additional insurance. Another case in which exemption is possible is by presenting a copy of the health insurance already in possession, if available (and only if it is equivalent to the standards required by the Swiss government) to the competent office of the canton (region) in which you reside. This, or alternatively an application for a Swiss health insurance, must be requested within 3 months of arrival in Switzerland.
Updates on the COVID-19 situation can be found on the government official website https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/fr/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov.html
Costs of living
Switzerland is certainly known to be among the countries with the highest cost of living. In particular, Geneva and Zurich are the two most expensive cities in Switzerland.
On average, a student needs to have a total monthly budget (rent, food, extras) of about 1,300-1,700 Swiss francs, while for the two cities mentioned above the budget can exceed 1,700 francs per month.
Regarding rents, there are several options:
- accommodation for students inside or outside the university: on average, prices range between 450 and 800 Swiss francs per month;
- shared apartments: between 700 and 1,200 Swiss francs per month.
- Average food costs are around 400-550 Swiss francs per month.