Blog

System structure

The education system in Spain is known ‘Ley Orgánica de Educación’ (LOE), and students of foreign nationals are welcome at state schools. Schooling is compulsory and free for children aged between 6 and 16, while free preschool is optional from the age of 3. Private fee paying establishments are also available, and these include the international schools popular with expats. Students must complete primary and compulsory secondary education before deciding whether to continue into post-compulsory secondary education from the ages of 16 to 18. To continue post-16 they must achieve their secondary education certificate, and at 18 they can take a university entrance exam.

Academic year

The school year in Spain is usually divided into three terms of 10 to 12 weeks. These run from September to June with holidays for Christmas, Easter, and the summer break. School hours vary depending on the region and the individual institution, with some opening from around 9am to 4pm with a lunch break and some finishing at 2pm without a break. Universities typically run two semesters with an exam period in June.

Higher education

Spain has just under a hundred higher education institutions, with the majority state-funded and a smaller number operated by private enterprises or religious institutions. Although Spanish universities are perhaps yet to take a place amongst the world’s most famous, there is a long history of academia in Spain and teaching standards are considered good. Demand for university places is proportionally high for the country’s population, but with soaring unemployment in recent years, young people are increasingly keen to take higher qualifications to attempt to improve their future employment prospects.

Funding

With relatively low tuition fees, Spanish universities are an attractive proposition for students from around Europe. Most EU citizens may attend university in Spain at the same cost as Spanish students and can often access grants and scholarships too. Fees are usually calculated on a cost-per-credit basis, with public university rates set by the government and private institutions setting their own fees.

Courses

Universities in Spain offer a range of courses and qualifications in both Spanish and English. Since 2006, Spain has adopted the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) standards and as a result, universities can confer either official degrees or non-official degrees. Official degrees are those which conform to the EHEA standards and are divided into three types:

• Bachelor’s degrees or ‘grado’ – undergraduate degrees typically taught in three or four years and requiring 240 credits
• Masters degrees or ‘posgrado’ – postgraduate qualifications of one or two years and 60 to 120 credits
• Doctoral degrees or ‘doctorado’ – typically lasting three to five years and incorporating extensive research

Non-official degrees are awarded by individual universities and typically support a specific vocation or skill. They are also awarded at different levels and can be powerful tools in the Spanish job market.

Research

Research is a growing area in Spain and the National Research Council, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) is among the largest public research institutions in Europe.

Post-16 education

When compulsory education is completed at the age of 16, students in Spain have the option to continue their studies with a Spanish Baccalaureate or ‘bachillerato’ qualification. This two-year period of study encompasses a broad range of subjects designed to prepare young people for either university or work.

Primary and secondary education

Children in Spain attend six years of primary school and four years of secondary school to complete their secondary education certificate. Although some expat families prefer their children to attend private international schools to take qualifications more relevant to their home country, Spanish state schools have a good reputation for welcoming foreign children and helping them to learn Spanish effectively, so they are certainly worth considering.

Preschool and childcare options

Although preschool is not part of compulsory education in Spain, it is provided free for children aged between 3 and 5 years old and is therefore very popular with around 90% of children attending some form of preschool. Private options are also available for any child under the age of 6 and can be quite reasonably priced. However, make sure you understand what level of care the establishment provides as some nurseries are childcare centres only and do not deliver the educational content expected in preschools.

Geographical variation

The cost of living in Spain is noticeably cheaper than many other western European countries, but it retains a degree of variation. Property prices have dropped in recent years, but the more desirable tourist and expat areas remain more expensive and this has a knock on effect on the price of goods and services in those areas. Cities and coastal resorts are typically the most expensive places to live, while rural areas represent the best value for money although the provision of goods and services there can be more limited.

Accommodation

Most of the rental accommodation in Spain is apartments, but there is no shortage of living space available and the costs are very reasonable. However, finding the right place to live can be a daunting prospect. Some universities will provide accommodation for new academic staff, but other options include long-term lets of holiday properties owned by expats, as well as local lettings by Spanish landlords. There are typically two types of contracts:

• Temporada – a short-term deal aimed at the holiday market and lasting just a few weeks
• Vivienda – a longer-term agreement that is aimed at residents and is normally cheaper

It can be useful to take a temporary contract for a period when you arrive to enable you to find a more permanent solution. Many people also lodge with families in Spain for short to medium periods. If you are working there in the longer term, it is certainly possible to buy property in Spain. As well as arranging the mortgage, you will need to pay the notary to conduct the transaction and settle the relevant tax bills, so it is worth taking professional advice.

Rental deposit

Typical rental deposits in Spain consist of a month’s rent, although you are usually asked for the first month’s rent in advance too. If properties are bigger or extensively furnished, the deposit may be two or three months’ rent. Letting agents usually ask for a month’s rent in fees too. Bear in mind that Spanish law does not offer a great deal of protection for landlords, so it is not uncommon to be asked for various documents such as proof of earnings or a bank guarantee letter.

Property tax

Local authorities in Spain charge a municipal tax, the ‘Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles’ (IBI) which is the contribution of residents towards local services. It is usually calculated based on the rental value of the property. Different regions also have a range of other local taxes, so check with the landlord or agent to estimate what the rates will be.

Utilities

If you are renting a property, remember to check whether utilities are included in the rent. Utility bills in Spain are not exceptionally cheap, but work out lower than in many European countries. In most areas, you will have a choice of electricity supplier so you can shop around for the best rates, but water supply tends to be administered through local authorities. Mains gas is not that common in Spain, so you will most likely need to purchase gas bottles.

TV licence

Spain does not require people to buy a television licence as there is no central broadcasting authority. Channels are funded by advertising, and there are over thirty terrestrial channels as well as numerous pay-per-view services on offer.

Healthcare and medical costs

Provided that they are contributing to social security payments, foreign nationals working in Spain can usually access free or low-cost medical care on the same basis as Spaniards, so contact your local social security office to check your eligibility. Healthcare in the country is generally of a good standard, but waiting lists can be long so some expats prefer to take out private medical insurance. Visitors to Spain may claim back healthcare costs using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but be aware that this is not intended for long-term residents’ use and may not entitle you to free care.

Shopping

Spain has a good choice of supermarkets and smaller specialist shops and the cost of grocery shopping is comparatively low. Although larger supermarkets can be cheap, it is usually worth checking local shops, particularly for fresh produce as locally sourced food can be much cheaper. Other items, such as clothing and white goods, can be less cheap than you might expect so again look for local brands to find the better deals.

Sales tax

A value-added tax called Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA) is charged on transactions in Spain. There are three levels of payment, but some services are also exempt from the tax. IVA is not applied in the Canary Islands, which hold a special economic status and therefore have their own Impuesto General Indirecto de Canarias (IGIC) tax instead.

Price guide

• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment in city centre – 751.52€ (≈£643.61) per month
• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre – 602.03€ (≈£515.58) per month
• Price of apartment in city centre – 3,113.10€ (≈£2,665.85) per square metre
• Price of apartment outside city centre – 1,979.52€ (≈£1,695.34) per square metre
• Loaf of bread – 1.12€ (≈£0.96)
• Milk (1 litre) – 0.92€ (≈£0.79)
• Bottled water (1.5 litre) – 0.65€ (≈£0.56)
• Draught beer (0.5 litre) – 0.99€ (≈£0.85)
• Packet of cigarettes – 5.10€ (≈£4.37)
• Petrol (1 litre) – 1.63€ (≈£1.40)
• Cinema ticket – 8.00€ (≈£6.85)

Source: www.numbeo.com (accessed August 2023)

Driving

In the late 1990s, the Spanish government unveiled a large project to improve road safety and made extensive improvements to the network infrastructure. As a result, Spain has a good national network with the majority of major cities linked by modern motorways. There are two types of motorways in Spain: autopistas, which are usually toll roads; and autovias, which tend to be older roads with steeper gradients and tighter turns. Vehicles are driven on the right-hand side of the road and the maximum speed limit is 120kph (≈73mph).

To drive legally in Spain, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid licence, and have car insurance and road tax. You also need to carry your vehicle documents and some photo ID at all times, along with two EU-approved warning triangles. Depending on where your licence was issued, you may be allowed to drive in Spain for a defined period, but some foreign nationals will need to exchange their licence for a Spanish one or take a Spanish driving test to qualify. For more information, consult the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) website.

Taxis

Taxis are considered quite reasonably priced in Spain and are a popular way to make short journeys. Services are operated by several companies, but all should have a taxi licence clearly displayed and charge fares based on a meter. Standard rates should also be displayed in the car. Although it is not illegal to hail a taxi, it is usually easier to wait at a designated taxi rank.

Buses and coaches

There are several bus and coach operators running services in Spain and the standards of both are usually very good. Even the public buses are usually air-conditioned and fares on local services are often heavily subsidised. Punctuality is generally considered good, although this is perhaps not so true in smaller towns and rural areas. Information about routes and timetables is available from central town bus stations. Some of the main intercity coach companies include ALSA, Avanzabus, Eurolines, and Movelia, and competition between these operators means prices are quite reasonable.

Trains

The Spanish railway network is operated by the state-owned company RENFE and offers very cheap fares compared to most of Europe. It consists of several different services from modern high-speed intercity links to far more ponderous local lines. High-speed services are understandably more expensive than the regional rail routes, but they are also less crowded as commuters tend to stick to the local services. It is usually advisable to book seats on any service if possible.

Trams and underground rail

Light rail and metro systems are very popular and affordable means of cutting the traffic in Spain and almost all major conurbations have some form of tram or underground. Some regions, such as the northern Basque Country, also have narrow gauge services running independently of the main lines.

Air travel

With tourism such an integral part of the Spanish economy, it is no surprise that there are a large number of busy commercial airports located around the country, with Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona-El Prat Airport carrying the largest number of passengers. Domestic services are also important in Spain as they are the quickest and usually the cheapest way to reach the Spanish getaway spots of the Balearic and Canary Islands as well as the Spanish enclaves in Morocco. Flying between cities in mainland Spain is also a viable option, but it is worth comparing the speed and price carefully against rail and coach services before choosing to do so. Major carriers include Iberia and Air Europa, while budget airlines like Vueling have an increasing market share.

Other ways to get around

With its extensive coastline and strategic location, Spain is an important maritime power with sea links around the  Mediterranean and North Africa as well as across the Atlantic. Ports and harbours play a significant part in Spanish cargo transportation and there are many passenger ferry routes, including to the Balearic Islands. Cycling is a very popular sport in Spain but is not generally acknowledged as a viable means of transport, so don’t expect to see extensive cycle routes.

Working hours

The Spanish working day traditionally starts between 9am and 10am and ends in the middle of the evening to accommodate the famous ‘siesta’ period of two or three hours in the hottest phase of the day. However, some companies have recently begun to fall more in line with the rest of Europe and adjusted this break time to an hour with an earlier finish. Employment law in Spain states that normal working hours should not exceed 40 per week, with any more than 9 hours of work per day. Overtime should not exceed 80 hours a year.

Holidays

Full-time employees in Spain are generally entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid holiday each year in addition to public holidays. Time off may also be granted to accommodate a number of special circumstances including moving house, getting married, celebrating births, and mourning bereavements. Sick leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave are also offered.

Public holidays

In Spain, there are both national and regionally celebrated public holidays. National holiday dates are announced annually in a government bulletin. Depending on the region, the number of holidays may rise as high as 14 days. For more information on holidays in your region, check the Ministry of Employment and Social Security website.

Public holiday dates

New Year’s Day: 1st January

Good Friday: 29th March

Labour Day: 1st May

Assumption of Mary: 15th August

Spanish National Day: 12th October

All Saints Day: 1st November

Constitution Day: 6th December

Christmas Day: 25th December

Visas and eligibility to work

Spanish immigration documentation can be lengthy and complex, with most only available through personal application at the local police station, immigration office, or labour office, so always take advice from your local contacts. While freedom of movement within the European Union means citizens of many countries can enter Spain without a visa, some nationalities must still apply for such documentation. Full entry requirements are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation website. Whether you are an EU or a non-EU citizen, you will need a long-term visa or residence certificate to remain in the country from more than 90 days. If you wish to work in Spain, you may also require an employer-sponsored work permit and an identity card. Citizenship can usually be obtained after ten years of continuous residency, although in some cases this time may be reduced.

Tax and social security

Foreign nationals living, working, or owning property in Spain must have a ‘Número de Identificación Extranjeros’ or ‘NIE’. Issued as part of the residency certification, this foreign identity number will appear on all official documentation for your time in Spain. It serves as your tax identification number and enables you to receive your salary and will also be required for many everyday activities such as opening a bank account. The tax year in Spain runs from January to December and you are considered a resident for tax purposes if you remain in the country for over 183 days in a year. Spain operates a Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system, so depending on your earnings income tax ranging from 24% to 43% is deducted directly off your wages, although a tax free personal allowance is also granted. There are some regional variations in tax rates and you may need to submit tax returns each year.

Pensions and benefits

Depending on their immigration status, foreign workers in Spain are usually required to make social security contributions at the same rate as Spanish citizens – approximately 6% of your income, although this is heavily supplemented by your employer. Compared to some countries, access to pensions and benefits for foreigners in Spain is quite generous; however, some may be restricted according to the length of your stay in the country. For more information, consult the Ministry of Employment and Social Security website.

Disability

Spain has a number of laws in place to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities to work in the country. Anti-discrimination measures are enshrined in recruitment law and both private and public sector employers are obliged to employ a certain number of disabled people and adapt their workplaces as required. Employers who take on those with disabilities may benefit from government funding, while disabled people who choose to work enjoy tax advantages not available to those on benefits.

Organisational structure

Traditionally, Spanish businesses were quite hierarchical, and in many companies, this structure remains today. There are often many levels of management and there is a definite divide between staff members across these levels. Senior decision-makers will rarely engage with more junior colleagues, instead acting on the information provided to them and giving instructions to be carried out. If possible, less senior members of the team will try to solve problems without involving their manager so as not to disturb them.

Management style

Although senior management plays little part in the day-to-day lives of their subordinates, team managers may take quite a paternalistic attitude toward their employees, often offering advice that goes beyond the professional concerns of the workplace. Employees want to respect their managers and believe they are in charge because they have the ability and experience to be successful. Conversely, managers will assign employees tasks that suit their skill sets. With every employee having a clearly defined role, independent working is valued so individual responsibility and personal accountability are important.

Formality

Because of the separation between ranks, communication with managers tends to be quite formal in nature. However, communication amongst peers or colleagues of the same level of authority tends to be quite relaxed and informal. When meeting Spanish contacts or colleagues, use polite and formal terms, to begin with, and try to gauge the relationships of the people around you before relaxing your tone.

Relationships

People in Spain often prefer to work with people they know or have a personal recommendation of, so you will need to spend a long time developing these relationships. Face to face meetings are much more productive than telephone or email communication. Networking plays a huge role in Spanish business dealings so trade associations and professional groups can be an excellent way to build the contacts you need to be successful in Spain.

Dress code

As with many European countries, dressing the part is important in Spain and you should take care to make a good first impression. Business dress should be stylish yet relatively conservative. Men typically wear smart full-length trousers and a shirt. Suit jackets may also be appropriate, but are not essential, particularly in the heat of summer. Women may wear business suits or dresses but should dress modestly to create a professional image.

Greetings

Spaniards usually shake hands and exchange business cards when first meeting business colleagues. Unless you are aware that they hold academic titles and can use them, address your male contacts as ‘Señor’ and female contacts as ‘Señora’, followed by their surname.

Punctuality

The Spanish ‘mañana’ attitude may be exaggerated, but it’s fair to say that Spain has a time-fluid culture. It is not unusual for meetings and appointments to start quite significantly late, so factor this in when planning your schedule. This is no excuse for you to be late though – keep to your appointment times, just expect to be patient when you arrive. It is usually more productive to schedule meetings in the morning before siesta time as people tend to be running more to time then.

Meetings

Meetings in Spain are usually formal in structure but expect to make some small talk at the beginning. Spaniards are proud of their culture and sport and will enjoy visitors taking an interest in them. Although oral agreements are important in Spain, making deals is not considered to be the main purpose of meetings. Instead, they are viewed as a platform for discussion and often you will come away with no indication of the outcome. Proposals will be reviewed by all the stakeholders and you might have to go through several meetings before a deal can be reached, with the ultimate decision being made and communicated outside of the meeting room.

Cultural sensitivity

Although the rights of female workers are protected by Spanish law, workplaces in the country still retain some historical gender divides. Traditionally, Spanish women did not hold management roles and it is only recently that ladies were encouraged to strive for such positions. Although there are many women in middle management now, boardrooms in Spain can still be quite male-dominated and ‘machismo’ in nature.

Business language

Most business language is conducted in Spanish, although some international companies may work in English. Check ahead of your meeting to see if translation or interpretation is required.

System structure

In Sweden, attendance at primary school is compulsory for nine years between the ages of 7 and 16. Students can then choose to take a further three years at secondary school before potentially moving on to higher education. Public school is free for the children of all residents until the end of the compulsory period regardless of their nationality, however, as teaching is usually in Swedish many expats prefer to send their children to fee-paying private or international schools. This choice can be costly, but depending on the child’s residency status they may be eligible for state-subsidised fees.

Academic year

The academic year in Sweden is typically divided into two semesters, the first running from the end of August until mid-January with a short break at the end of December, and the second from mid-January to the beginning of June. The school day begins around 8am and ends at approximately 3:30pm, although some international schools keep different hours.

Higher education

Sweden has around 50 higher education establishments including public universities, public university colleges, and a handful of independent colleges. As higher education is well-funded by the state and attracts investment from businesses on top of this, enrolment is high and teaching and research standards are very good. In Sweden, your degree as a whole is referred to as a ‘programme’ rather than a ‘course’, and the segments which other countries might call ‘modules’ are known as ‘courses’. A degree programme consists of a combination of compulsory, recommended, and optional courses.

Funding

Public universities in Sweden are fully-subsidised for Swedish nationals as well as students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Students from other countries will usually have to pay tuition fees and depending on the institution, application fees and student union membership fees may apply. Students in Sweden are also able to access funding in the form of grants and loans to fund their time at university, while a number of scholarships are also available for those wishing to remain in the country or for Swedish residents who study abroad.

Programmes

Universities in Sweden offer a full range of taught programmes in Swedish as well as a smaller number in English. To study a Swedish-language programme, students must pass the TISUS test – the ‘Test in Swedish for University Studies’. The typical programme structures and duration fall in line with the majority of European universities:

• Undergraduate programmes – taught courses that typically last three years
• Graduate programmes – combine teaching and research over a period of one or two years
• Doctoral programmes – research degrees, usually involving four or more years of work towards a dissertation

The majority of doctoral programmes in Sweden are paid roles, with competition fierce for these much-sought positions.

Research

With good funding and links with business, research is strong in Sweden. Access to funding and the top research jobs are hotly-contested between the best candidates from around the world. For more information, visit the EURAXESS Sweden website.

Secondary education

The post-16 secondary school period in Sweden lasts for three years and the vast majority of primary school graduates continue through this stage. With a choice of around 17 different programmes of study, it is the first opportunity for children to really specialise and focus on either preparing for higher education or taking a vocational qualification.

Primary education

The nine years of compulsory primary education in Sweden follows a programme administered by the Ministry of Education and Research and is designed to provide a well-rounded education for children of every ability level. English is a compulsory second language from early in this period and a third modern language also becomes compulsory later on.

Preschool and childcare options

While preschool is not compulsory in Sweden, it is popular – an estimated 80% of eligible children attending between the ages of one and five. Part of the reason for this is a maximum-fee scheme, which caps the amount parents pay for preschool. Alternatively, private childcare schemes and day nurseries are available, but costs can be significantly higher.

Geographical variation

Sweden has a notoriously high cost of living, although the standard of living is also considered to be very good so many foreign nationals find that the move is worth the expense. Alcohol prices are a much publicised marker of the cost of living in Sweden as they can be as much as double the average compared to central European nations, but in reality, other goods show less of a discrepancy. Accommodation in Stockholm and other major cities is usually more expensive than in smaller towns, but in rural areas, the cost of goods may be higher because of the logistics of supplying them.

Accommodation

Although there are no restrictions on foreign nationals purchasing property in Sweden, the majority of Swedes rent their homes and expats tend to follow suit. The property market in Sweden works differently from most European countries, with a much higher percentage of social or ‘public’ rental housing managed by local municipal authorities. Although this is the most affordable option for most, waiting lists for this type of property can be very long so private sector rental may be the best option for new arrivals in the country. Be aware that demand for housing outweighs supply in many parts of Sweden, so it’s wise to give yourself plenty of time to search for a good deal.

Rental deposit

The rental market in Sweden is highly regulated and is generally regarded as offering a fair deal for both landlord and tenant. Deposits are not usually part of a contract and landlords do not ordinarily ask for references because they are able to check the tenant’s history via a government register. This system flags any unpaid rent or damage at previous properties, so it is in the tenant’s interest to avoid both.

Real estate tax

Property owners in Sweden are liable for a municipal tax charged at a percentage rate against the tax-assessed value of the property. Where rental tenants are not directly liable for this tax, landlords who own properties on higher real estate tax rates may choose to reflect this in the rent they charge.

Utilities

Water and sewerage costs are state subsidised in Sweden so water bills can be surprisingly cheap – by law they cannot exceed the cost of the service provided. Mains gas supply is not widely used, but electricity, telephone, and internet suppliers operate in a competitive market, so shop around for the best deal. Households are also charged for waste disposal, with some municipalities operating pay-by-weight schemes to encourage recycling – so don’t be surprised if you find your bins being weighed!
Sweden’s healthcare system is heavily subsidised by the state and regularly ranks amongst the world’s best. The good news for foreign nationals living in the country is that once you have your personal identity number you can usually access the same level of services as Swedish citizens at the same costs. Fees are charged for medical services, but the total cost to the individual per year is capped. Although private healthcare services are also available, the majority of people in Sweden are content with the state provision.

Shopping

Sweden has an excellent choice when it comes to shopping, but prices are high almost across the board. Be aware that alcohol for home consumption is only sold through the pricey state-owned monopoly Systembolaget, and other everyday groceries can be very expensive too. Many shops close earlier than you might think, so make sure you don’t get caught without the essentials – especially at the weekend.

VAT tax

Value-added tax is charged at three different rates in Sweden. Most goods and services are covered by the general tax rate – the highest level – with a middle rate charged on foodstuffs and hotel rates. Sales of items such as newspapers, magazines, and books are charged at a lower VAT level, which also applies to the cost of some public transport tickets. For current rates and general tax information, visit the Verksamt website.

Price guide

• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment in city centre – 9,174.40kr (≈£660.08) per month
• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre – 6,824.84kr (≈£490.971) per month
• Price of apartment in city centre – 63,781.96kr (≈£4,588.41) per square metre
• Price of apartment outside city centre – 38,557.05kr (≈£2,773.18) per square metre
• Loaf of bread – 26.14kr (≈£1.88)
• Milk (1 litre) – 14.38kr (≈£1.03)
• Bottled water (1.5 litre) – 15.00kr (≈£1.08)
• Draught beer (0.5 litre) – 18.46kr (≈£1.33)
• Packet of cigarettes – 70.00kr (≈£5.03)
• Petrol (1 litre) – 20.21kr (≈£1.45)
• Cinema ticket – 150.00kr (≈£10.79)

Source: www.numbeo.com (accessed August 2023)

Sweden has an extensive motorway and road network that covers even the extreme north of the country and connects Sweden with Denmark via the Öresund Bridge. Most roads are toll-free, but some cities operate congestion charges. In 1967, Sweden changed to driving on the right-hand side of the road. Those new to driving in Sweden should be aware that driving regulations are strictly enforced – you are required to wear seatbelts, keep your lights on at all times and use winter tyres from December to March. The maximum speed limit is 110kph (≈68mph) and the blood alcohol limit is significantly lower than in many other European countries.

If you are over the age of 18 and hold a driving licence issued outside Sweden, you are usually able to drive on it for a limited period. However, depending on where your licence was issued, your residency status, and the duration of your stay in Sweden, you may need to exchange your licence for a Swedish version or take the Swedish driving test. For more information, visit the Swedish Transport Agency driving licence portal.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in most major towns and cities in Sweden, and can be pre-booked, hailed in the street, or picked up at taxi ranks. Although taxi drivers in Sweden are required to pass advanced driving qualifications to gain their taxi licence, the industry is not regulated on price and fares can vary enormously between companies. Some firms work on fixed prices rather than meters, so make sure that you check with the driver before beginning your journey.

Buses

The major cities in Sweden all have good transportation links including reasonably-priced local bus services. For one-off journeys tickets are available to purchase separately, but many cities and regions offer combined travel cards for buses and other public transport services such as trams or local rail services – these are often the best value for money.

Coaches

Coach travel is usually cheaper than rail travel in Sweden, although journey times can be longer. The best-known national operator is Swebus Express, whose fleet of modern coaches offer amenities such as air conditioning, power sockets, and free WiFi. However, for those willing to pass on the luxuries, cheaper options might be found with other operators, like Nettbuss Express. Ybuss is a good alternative for travel in northern Sweden as rail services there are less comprehensive.

Trains

Sweden has an extensive railway network, although coverage is better in southern regions than in the far north and tickets can be quite expensive. The country’s railways were state-built and the government-run company SJ remains the largest operator of services today, running a mixture of high-speed, intercity, and regional services and a ‘night train’ sleeper option. However, there are a number of smaller subsidiaries and local operators as well, so it’s always worth shopping around for options.

Trams and underground rail

Stockholm is the only city in Sweden that has a metro, but it is a fairly large system with seven lines and over a hundred stations. Tramways are enjoying something of a resurgence in popularity, with Stockholm and Norrköping expanding their light rail infrastructure in recent years and Gothenburg running one of the largest tram networks in northern Europe.

Air travel

With a flight time of over three hours between the southern city of Malmö and Kiruna in the far north, it’s easy to see why domestic air travel is important in Sweden. The largest provider of domestic flights is SAS. Sweden’s largest international airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, is located around half an hour’s drive from the city centre, and also provides regular services to the majority of Sweden’s commercial airfields. Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, Bromma Stockholm Airport, and Malmö Airport also handle significant amounts of national and international air traffic.

Other ways to get around

With large commercial ports at Gothenburg, Malmö, and Stockholm, Sweden is an important maritime powerhouse for Scandinavia and has regular ferry links with much of northern Europe. Coastal ferries and inland canals can also be a great way to experience some of Sweden’s stunning scenery.

Working hours

Sweden is among the most heavily unionised countries in the world, and working conditions are often governed by collective agreements negotiated by the unions on behalf of the employees rather than by private employment contracts. Although the Working Hours Act states that regular working hours should not exceed 40 per week, collective agreements can supersede these laws. Paid overtime is available to many employees, but work/life balance is an important concept so flexitime and home working are very popular.

Holidays

Under the Annual Leave Act, employees in Sweden have a recommended holiday entitlement of 25 days plus public holidays, but depending on the collective agreement, these conditions can be altered. Parental leave and sick leave are usually available to permanent employees, but check the terms of the relevant collective agreement (or your private employment contract) for full details.

Public holidays

Sweden has a relatively large number of public holidays, although not all necessarily equate to a day off work, especially where holidays fall on a weekend. Public holiday entitlement may be covered in your collective agreement or private employment contract. However, you can generally expect the majority of businesses in Sweden to close for at least Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. On other public holidays, Sunday opening hours may be observed.

Public holiday dates

New Year’s Day: 1st January

Epiphany: 6th January

Good Friday: 29th March

Easter Sunday: 31st March

Easter Monday: 1st April

Labour Day: 1st May

Ascension Day: 9th May

National Day: 6th June

Midsummer Day: 22nd June

All Saints Day: 2nd November

Christmas Eve: 24th December

Christmas Day: 25th December

Boxing Day: 26th December

New Year’s Eve: 31st December

Visas and eligibility to work

EU citizens and some other nationalities may be able to enter Sweden without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. However, depending on your nationality and whether you intend to work, you will need to register with the relevant authorities. Applications for entry and residence documentation are managed by the Migration Board and in many cases can be made online. Foreign nationals may apply for Swedish citizenship after a given duration of residency – typically around 5 years. Although Sweden has a National ID Card system, these are not yet compulsory.

Tax and social security

The majority of foreign nationals working in Sweden are required to pay tax on their income. Exceptions to this rule include employees working less than 183 days a year in Sweden, provided that their employer does not have a fixed operating base in Sweden. If your employer has a commercial site in the country you must pay tax even on short-term contracts lasting less than six months, but you may be taxed at a lower rate. Similarly, foreign nationals working in Sweden for less than a year are normally exempt from social security payments, but after a year these become compulsory for Swedish citizens. Anyone planning to stay in the country long-term should register with the Swedish Population Register to obtain the personal identity number they need to pay taxes correctly.

Pensions and benefits

Sweden takes great pride in its social care system and foreign workers who contribute social security payments from their wages are entitled to many of the same benefits as Swedish citizens. These include a number of tax-free benefits, as well as a pension and insurance against work injury and health issues. To find out more about your eligibility and how to apply, visit the Swedish Social Insurance Agency website.

Disability

The rights of people with disabilities to fully participate in society are clearly laid out in Swedish law. Disabled workers may be entitled to funding for workplace aids and can apply for special dispensation to have the cost of any sick leave covered by the government, ensuring that employers of disabled workers are not financially disadvantaged in the event of any absences from work relating to their disability.

Organisational structure

Swedish culture is generally egalitarian and the lack of hierarchy in business is valued by companies and employees alike. Although individual responsibility is important, it is just one aspect of the team effort. Even if final responsibility rests with a senior manager, employees at every level are usually consulted within a lengthy decision-making process. This consensus approach is based on trust and mutual respect within the workplace and people are encouraged to put forward their opinions so every scenario can be analysed before final strategies are agreed

Management style

With such a flat organisational structure, the role of a manager is to harness the talents of their employees. As such, expect managers to regularly invite feedback from their team and delegate tasks to the people they feel are best placed to develop or implement ideas. Managers often take a back seat in discussions, intervening when they wish to support a good idea or refocus attention on a new topic. Most prefer to praise and celebrate the accomplishments of the group rather than those of individuals.

Formality

Titles and status are not considered particularly important in Sweden, so business people tend to communicate on first-name terms relatively quickly. If in doubt you may wish to keep it formal, to begin with, but usually you’ll find the informal approach more effective.

Dress code

Day-to-day attire for workers in Sweden is often business casual, so don’t be surprised to see jeans and trainers in the office. Very few companies operate strict dress codes, but it is generally considered good form to be conservative and not too showy in your work attire. For business meetings with new contacts you may wish to dress more formally, but try to avoid appearing flashy.

Greetings

In Sweden, you should greet both men and women with a firm, confident handshake. Swedish people are typically a little more reserved with their body language than people from central or southern Europe, so be respectful of personal space and try to keep hand gestures to a minimum. Maintaining eye contact will help you engage with people.

Punctuality

Adherence to schedules is important in Sweden, so punctuality is a must to do business there. People work hard to ensure that they fit all their work into the schedule allowed, so anyone who wastes time quickly loses the respect of their contacts. Rather than being a sign of dedication, working late can sometimes be taken as an indicator of poor time management or lack of organisation, so always try to hit your deadlines within working hours. If you can’t avoid being late for a meeting or deadline, always call to apologise.

Meetings

Because of the need for consensus, meetings are commonplace in Swedish business culture and it can take many rounds of discussion to reach a decision. However, meetings can be fairly brief – small talk is usually dispensed with and discussions will run to the allocated timeslot, whether this results in a positive conclusion or not. Negotiations will be based around discussions of solid facts followed by a degree of compromise, so make sure you stick to the truth and remain calm during negotiations as emotional outbursts can be interpreted as a weakness. Don’t worry if the room falls silent at some points – this is normal in Swedish business dealings and you will find that people appreciate the chance to think more than any attempts to break the silence.

Cultural sensitivity

One concept that newcomers to Sweden often struggle to understand is the idea of ‘lagom’. Literally translated, it means ‘moderate’ or ‘just right’, but in business terms, it’s a concept that relates to value added. In effect, ‘lagom’ means to focus on doing the things that are necessary well – not too little, but not too much either. Where ‘going above and beyond’ might be seen as a positive thing in some cultures, in Sweden knowing when to stop and not waste resources is just as important.

Business language

Although Swedish is the dominant first language, the majority of people speak very good English too – albeit often with an American accent or influence. Some larger companies in Sweden recognise English as their business language, but even if you are dealing with companies that don’t, it is fairly unusual for native English speakers to require translation.

System Structure

Responsibility for education in Switzerland lies primarily with each of the 26 cantons (regions), however, the structure and quality of Swiss education is roughly the same in all regions. The two overarching rules are that pupils must complete nine years of compulsory education and that it is provided free of charge. Most Swiss children complete two years of kindergarten before beginning primary school around age 6. After primary and junior school, around 20% of children continue on to standard secondary school (Gymnasium) ending in the ‘matura’ qualification which grants access to university. The rest of Swiss school children either go to a technical or theoretical school. Schools are divided according to the language spoken in each area, French, German, Italian, or Romansh.

Academic Year

The school year begins between mid-August and mid-September in the whole of Switzerland. School children have around twelve weeks of holiday per school year and the dates are set by each canton. The typical school day begins at 9am and ends at around 4pm. Children typically return home for lunch, which many working parents may find inconvenient. However, parents have the option to pay for lunchtime supervision at school.

The university academic year is divided into the winter semester, (October to February) and the summer semester (March to June/July).

Higher Education

Switzerland is internationally-recognised as a centre of excellence in higher education, with two of its universities, ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ranked in the top 15 of the QS World University Rankings (2015). There are 12 general universities across The Confederation along with institutions dedicated to applied sciences, teacher training, and research. Low tuition fees and multiple- national languages, along with a global reputation for academic brilliance, means Swiss universities attract huge numbers of international applications, with 25% of students being non-Swiss.

Funding

Swiss universities are generously supported by the government, which invests heavily in higher education institutions and academic research. Students pay a relatively low annual tuition fee of around CHF1,266 – CHF 2,200 (£847 – £1,472) and the same level of fees apply to all international students, including those from non-EU countries. Understandably, the combination of world-leading universities and comparably low fees makes the country highly attractive to international students and competition for places is fierce. The Swiss Government offers a range of scholarships to help foreign students – candidates should contact individual Swiss universities for more information.

Courses

Since 2001, Swiss universities have been rapidly adjusting their curricula to comply with the Bologna Declaration. This means that most Swiss degrees are now based on a two tier bachelor-master’s system. A bachelor’s degree currently takes around three to four years to complete and a master’s one to two years. Bachelor’s degrees are open to foreign students who are in possession of a secondary leaving certificate or diploma, although the decision of admission rests with the individual institution. Courses are generally taught in French, German, or Italian, depending on where the university is in Switzerland. There are a number of courses taught in English, however, this is more common at the postgraduate level.

Research

The global success and high standing of Swiss universities are partly thanks to the country’s heavy investment in research, particularly in science and technology. The Swiss Federal Government spends 2.2% of its GDP on research and development, almost double the EU average. Swiss research activities have been boosted in recent years by the presence of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, which has promoted collaboration between Swiss universities and leading scientific institutions worldwide.

Primary and Secondary education

Primary school (Primarschule, école primaire, scuola primaria) is compulsory for all Swiss children from age 6. In some cantons, two years of kindergarten (pre-school) education is also compulsory prior to commencing primary school. Depending on the canton, the primary school takes five years to complete before students continue to lower secondary school (juniors). On completion of lower secondary school at age 15/16, students can choose to leave school or enter upper secondary school (gymnasium), where they gain a Matura (diploma) necessary for university admission.

There are six types of upper secondary school:

•  Maths and Science (Matematisches und Naturwissenschaftliches Gymnasium): for students with aptitude in mathematics or scientific subjects.
• Secondary school of Economics (Wirtschaftsgymnasium): for students wishing to study business or economics at university.
• Modern languages (Neusprachliches Gymnasium): for students who wish to study foreign languages.
• Classical languages (Altsprachliches Gymnasium): for literature and classics students.
• Music and Arts secondary school (Musisches Gymnasium) – for those interested in studying arts and music.
• Vocational School (Berufslehre) – for students wishing to enter a technical, manual, or vocational profession.

Pre-school

Although pre-school education is not compulsory in all cantons, nearly all Swiss children attend kindergarten (école enfantine/jardin d’enfant/ Scuola dell’infanzia) at age 4, before starting primary school at age 6. In some cantons, such as in Zurich or Geneva, kindergarten hours are usually in the morning then pre-school children return home for lunch. Pre-school children follow a play-centred programme involving arts, crafts, and music, with more formal training in basic maths, writing, and reading in the final kindergarten year (at age 5). Pre-schools are entirely funded by the state (or each canton) and parents pay nominal contributions towards trips and activities. However, there is a large number of private pre-schools, usually where English is the main language, and parents pay for their children to attend.

Geographical variation

Switzerland is famous for its high cost of living and three of its cities – Zurich, Bern, and Geneva – feature in the top ten most expensive cities in the world (Mercer). Indeed, Geneva’s cost of living now outranks those of London, New York, and Paris. Living expenses can be lower outside of the major cities in rural areas, however, they remain high in comparison to other European countries. While living in Switzerland can be pricey, it is worth bearing in mind the average monthly salary in Swiss cities is around CHF 5,599.17 (£3750) after tax – almost twice the European average.

Accommodation

Owning a property is not the norm in Switzerland and over 60% of people rent their homes. Urban population growth has led to a lack of affordable homes and although property prices have slowed in recent years, they remain high when compared with other European countries. Renting is usually the most affordable option for expats, yet there is fierce competition for desirable properties, particularly in Zurich and Geneva. According to the Swiss Statistics Office, average rents can be as much as CHF 2500 (£1674) per month for a two-room apartment in Zurich. Expats should also bear in mind that Swiss rental properties are generally rented unfurnished, (without light fittings, curtains, and carpets) which can ramp up the costs involved in setting up a home in Switzerland. The best way to find a property to rent is through an estate agent such as Homegate or by searching through local newspaper classifieds.

Rental deposit

Most Swiss landlords ask for a rental deposit (Kaution/Caution) of around three month’s rent in advance. Any damage to the property will be deducted from the deposit when a tenant moves out. Rent (miete/loyer), is generally paid to the landlord every month and does not include extra costs such as utilities, refuse disposal, and street cleaning costs. Rental contracts can be anything from one year or more and tenants must give a minimum of three months’ notice before vacating the property.

Property Tax

Depending on the canton, most Swiss homeowners pay a municipal tax of around 0.05% to 3.0% which is levied on the value of their property. Property tax rates vary from region to region.

Utilities

The Swiss energy market is privatised and there is a wide range of companies offering combined water, electricity, and gas deals. However, household gas usage is uncommon in Switzerland due to high prices. Utilities are usually the responsibility of the tenant and are paid on top of the rent. Companies send bills every two to four months and tenants pay an estimated charge which is re-calculated every six to twelve months, according to meter readings. There is also a wide range of telephone and internet providers in Switzerland, with Swisscom being among the largest. Most providers offer combined phone and broadband packages.

The average cost of basic utilities (electricity, gas, water, refuse) for an 85m² apartment is CHF230.99 (£206.18) per month and around CHF55 (£46.05) for a broadband package.

TV License

All residents who receive radio or television services in Switzerland are required to pay a license fee, regardless of how they watch or listen to programmes (terrestrial, cable, satellite, via the phone line, mobile phone, or via the internet). The fee is collected on behalf of the Federal Government by the Billag company and is around CHF 335 (£299.02) per year.

Healthcare and medical costs

The Swiss healthcare system is one of the best in the world and residents enjoy non-existent waiting lists and universal access to a vast network of premium medical facilities. Unlike other European countries, the Swiss healthcare system is not tax-based but is paid for by the individual through monthly contributions to private health insurance schemes. The healthcare system is administered by each individual canton. Basic health insurance (Soziale Krankenversicherung / Assurance maladie / Assicurazione-Mallatie) is compulsory for all Swiss and non-Swiss residents and insurance companies are tightly regulated by Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance. Adults must pay the first CHF 300 (£200) of any hospital treatment themselves (except for maternity services) on top of their premiums. Prescription medicines are also covered by the basic health insurance policy and costs of medicines are kept low in most circumstances.

Shopping

Thanks to its rich mix of cultures, Switzerland’s shopping has something for everyone – from Italian designer fashion to wonderful German markets and elegant Parisian-style arcades. Some of the finest watchmaking, jewellery, and fashion boutiques in the world can be found in Zurich, Basel, and Geneva – most with hefty price tags.

Switzerland has a number of large supermarkets, with the largest country-wide chains being Migros (also Switzerland’s largest retail chain) and Co-op. The cost of food and alcohol can be steep, particularly if you are eating out in Zurich or Geneva, where prices are considered astronomical compared to the rest of the world. However, it is possible to shop on a budget by using the German supermarket chains Aldi or Lidl, which can be found in most major cities.

Sales Tax

Value Added Tax (Mehrwertsteuer, taxe sur la valeur ajoutée, tassa sul valore aggiunto) for most goods and services is currently set at 8% in Switzerland, with a reduced rate of around 2.5% for certain items.

Price Guide

•  Rent 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre – CHF1,650.97 (£1,473.67)
• Rent 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre – CHF1,304.07 (£1,164.02)
• Price of apartment per square metre in city centre – CHF14,179.76 (£12,656.93)
• Price of apartment per square metre outside city centre – CHF9,983.55 (£8,911.37)
• Loaf of bread – CHF3.07 (£2.74)
• Milk (1 litre) – CHF 1.68 (£1.50)
• Bottled water (1.5 litre) – CHF1.23 (£1.10)
• Draught beer (0.5 litre) – CHF2.00 (£1.79)
• Packet of cigarettes – CHF9.00 (£8.03)
• Petrol (1 litre) – CHF1.92 (£1.71)
• Cinema ticket – CHF19.50 (£17.41)

Source: www.numbeo.com (accessed August 2023)

Budgeting and Savings

Switzerland is a hugely expensive country and living on a budget can be difficult. The best way to save money is to live outside the principal cities of Zurich, Geneva, and Bern and to use public transport where possible, as this is one of the few areas of Swiss life which remains relatively cheap. There are several price comparison sites available to help consumers cut costs. Comparis is the most well-known and is particularly useful for those needing to take out Swiss mandatory health insurance.

Driving

Switzerland prides itself on its well-maintained motorway network, with many roads offering dramatic Alpine views from the car window. The highly efficient and extensive Swiss rail network means that driving is the secondary choice of transport, leaving the roads congestion-free and something of a driver’s paradise.

Those who choose to drive must purchase a Swiss Vignette sticker to use the country’s motorways (Autobahnen/Autoroutes/Autostrade). The sticker, used in place of toll fees, can be purchased at any service station, post office, or at customs office at a cost of CHF 40 (£26.76). The vignette is placed on your windscreen and is valid for 14 months. Beware that being caught without one can incur a hefty fine. Speed limits on Swiss roads are 120km/h (75mph) on motorways and 50 km/h (30mph) in built up areas. Bear in mind that driving in Switzerland can be treacherous in winter conditions and in mountainous areas – so taking the train or bus is a good choice for the faint of heart!

Taxis

Travelling by taxi costs significantly more than using the public transport system in Switzerland. Fares are generally based on a flat fee plus a rate per kilometre, with waiting charges where applicable. You can pre-book by phone or find taxis at most major transport hubs.

Buses

Rail travel is generally the first choice of public transport in Switzerland, however, there is also an extensive bus network that provide regional and rural services throughout the country. The most famous Swiss bus network is the iconic PostBus, so-named for its history of carrying both passengers and mail, which connects some of the more remote places in Switzerland. PostBuses – carrying 141 million passengers each year – can be recognized by their trademark yellow colour and three-tone horn.

Coaches

Coach travel is an economical and comfortable way to get around Switzerland although journey times can be much longer than train travel, particularly on rural and mountainous roads.  Swiss coaches are a popular choice with backpackers and visitors travelling from neighbouring European countries and can be booked cheaply through Eurolines.

Trains

Switzerland has the densest and most efficient rail network in Europe. Trains are operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (and other privately-owned companies) and comprise rapid intercity routes and smaller suburban and commuter lines. The country is famous for its tourist rail networks such as the Glacier Express train which runs between St Moritz and Zermatt, taking in untouched mountain landscapes, deep gorges, and beautiful valleys along its one-day route. One of the most economical ways to use all public transport in Switzerland is to purchase a Swiss Travel System Pass, which allows unlimited travel by rail, bus, or boat (see above) for periods of one month to one year. Lausanne is currently the only city in Switzerland to have a metro system, which consists of two lines.

Trams and light rail

The cities of Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Lausanne all have tram or light rail networks which offer a cheap and eco-friendly way to get around. The Swiss Travel System Pass can be used on tram and light rail transport.

Air Travel

Switzerland has three international airports, Zurich-Kloten, Geneva, and Basel-Mulhouse which serve destinations all over the world. Domestic air travel is fast (45-minute journey time between Geneva and Zurich) but expensive – most people prefer to travel by rail or road around Switzerland and to its neighbouring countries. Domestic flights can be booked through SWISS. The largest international airlines are Swiss International Airlines and the German carrier Lufthansa, which both use Zurich as their main hub.

Other ways to get around

Switzerland offers the most comprehensive public transport system in the world. Most visitors choose to take the train but the country also has a network of boats, ferries, lake steamers, funiculars, and cable cars. If you are not in a rush, it is possible to reach Switzerland by lake paddle steamer along the Rhine from Germany, France, and Italy, with all routes offering spectacular mountain views and luxury accommodation. Cycling is also a national passion and Switzerland is crisscrossed by nine national cycling routes totalling over 1,600 miles.

Working Hours

Swiss employees work some of the longest hours in Europe and many attempts to reduce the maximum number of hours have been repeatedly rejected by the government. The law does state that most employees can work a maximum of 45 hours a week. In some specialised industries, this is raised to 50 hours a week. Many Swiss employers promote flexible working hours, most commonly seen in manufacturing industries. Workers are given staggered start times, usually from 7am. Overtime is usually paid at one-and-a-quarter times the usual wage or days off in lieu. However, managers are rarely compensated with extra pay and the expectation is that they are already handsomely paid for the work they do.

Holidays

Workers aged over 20 are legally entitled to four weeks of paid holiday a year, while workers under 20 are eligible for five weeks. Some senior employees are granted a fifth week in their contracts but this is usually awarded depending on seniority at a firm.

Public holidays

Each of the 26 cantons (regions) which make up the Swiss Confederation decide what public holidays they observe except for 1^st August which is a federal holiday. It is best to check which holidays are applicable in each canton.

Public holiday dates

New Year’s Day: 1st January

Good Friday: 29th March

Easter Sunday:31st March

Easter Monday: 1st April

Ascension Day: 9th May

Whit Monday: 1st May

National Day: 1st August

Christmas Day: 25th December

Visas and eligibility

People coming from a European member state or with a right to stay in that member state do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. Although Switzerland is not part of the EU, a bilateral agreement signed in 2002 relaxed the laws for Europeans intending to work and stay in the country. If you need a visa you should apply for it in your home country because they cannot be issued in Switzerland. Foreigners living in Switzerland can apply for a residence permit and the type of permit you need will depend on your length of stay and whether you are a worker or student. More information can be found here. You must register for a residence permit within eight days of arriving in the country and before your first day of work.

Tax

As a confederation, the Swiss tax system is complicated, mainly because of the 26 cantons and 2,300 or so municipalities that have their own tax systems. In Switzerland the tax year runs from 1^st January to 31st December. In most cantons, it is necessary to file tax returns within three months after the end of the tax period. Taxes are comprised of confederation, canton, and commune tax. Most cantons also take a church tax from one of the three national churches, Roman Catholic, Christian Catholic, and Protestant. High earners living in Switzerland are obliged to fill in tax returns based on their worldwide earnings and assets. Most foreign employees have their income tax automatically deducted from their salary. To work out how much tax you will pay in Switzerland, you can find more information here.

Pensions

The Swiss pension system is known as the ‘three pillars’, consisting of the Federal Old Age pension, Occupational pension scheme, and private pensions. The basic pension covers living expenses and is financed by employees’ monthly contributions of around 4%. People are usually entitled to collect this when they reach 65 for men and 64 for women. The second pillar is a funded pension plan financed by employees and employers. Private pension schemes are optional. Visit the Swiss Government’s pension website to find out more.

Benefits

There are five areas of social security in Switzerland designed to ensure individuals enjoy a reasonable standard of living. They include old age and invalidity insurance, protection against illness and accidents, maternity pay, unemployment insurance, and family allowance. Benefits and insurance are generally paid by workers through monthly contributions automatically deducted from salaries. Each canton also contributes different amounts. Unemployment benefits are considered generous in Switzerland and are available to foreign workers with the amount received dependent on final salary and length of employment.

Disability

In November 2014 Switzerland ratified the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities which came into force in May the following year. The convention, along with other national laws, compels employers to improve access and rights for disabled workers. Many public buildings have also undergone alterations to improve accessibility. There are disabled parking bays available to those carrying a parking authorisation card which can be obtained through the disabled person’s canton of residence.

Organisational Structure

Swiss business structure is strictly hierarchical, comprising top-down decision making and delegation of tasks. Lines between managers and workers are rarely crossed, however, there is a general consensus that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Planning, order, and risk aversion feature heavily, indeed the Swiss are the most heavily insured people in the world. Honesty and professionalism are paramount in business negotiations and decision-making is considered and detailed.

A long history of political stability and monetary security means Switzerland has one of the world’s most successful economies. The country is at the forefront of international trade and industry, with the food giant Nestlé and leading watchmakers Omega, Swatch, Longines, Breguet, and Tissot among its global brands.

Management Style

Managers have a low-key and pragmatic style in Switzerland, where respect is acquired by demonstrating expert knowledge of their field rather than through personal relationships. Decisions tend to be made by first taking into account the views of the team and generally involve a great deal of planning and discussion. Swiss managers have a non-confrontational approach and it is rare to see employers lose their temper with subordinates.

Formality

Hierarchy is highly regarded in Switzerland so it is best to stick to titles and surnames (Herr/Frau, Monsieur/Madame, Signore/Signora) in large meetings until invited to use people’s first names. First impressions count for a lot in Switzerland and a respectful and formal demeanor is used among colleagues who have only recently met. The Swiss are reserved people so it is best to avoid asking personal questions or being over-friendly.

Relationships

Swiss business relationships vary between cantons. For example, German-speaking Swiss like to get straight down to business and dispense with niceties, whereas French and Italian-speaking Swiss allow for more small talk and preamble to business negotiations. In all cases, business is regarded with the utmost seriousness, and humour is rarely used, even to break the ice. This aspect of business culture can sometimes make the Swiss seem a little ‘stand-offish,’ however, once you establish a good rapport, the Swiss are honest, knowledgeable, and fiercely loyal. Generally, the communication style is direct and honest. Using too much business jargon is often considered unnecessary, while a frank approach is preferred.

Dress Code

Business attire in Switzerland has become more relaxed in recent years, with some companies introducing ‘dress down Fridays.’ However, in formal business meetings, it is better to err on the side of caution and dress smartly. The Swiss prefer a sober look, so men should choose dark, good quality suits and ties. Women generally wear trouser suits or smart knee-length skirts with a shirt or blouse.

Greetings

The handshake is the standard greeting in Swiss business settings. French-speaking and Italian-speaking Swiss often kiss or embrace but this generally occurs between co-workers who know each other. Kissing in a business setting is rarely seen among German-speaking Swiss, who prefer to welcome each other with a firm handshake.

Punctuality

It is probably unsurprising that for a country that enjoys a peerless reputation for watch and clock making, time is a national obsession in Switzerland. It is often said that the Swiss are the most punctual people on the planet, so you should arrive at a meeting at the exact minute of the appointed time. Being too early could leave your counterpart unprepared and being late would be considered very rude. The Swiss feel at ease when everything is in order and being punctual is ingrained in the national consciousness.

Meetings

Formal business meetings in Switzerland are highly structured and follow a pre-determined agenda. Diversion from the agenda or not completing the discussion of all items would be unusual in a Swiss meeting. Participants are expected to arrive on time and be armed with the correct information and documents. All attendees are given a chance to speak, particularly if the discussion point relates directly to their own specialist field. Business meetings are strictly professional, with little small talk or socialising. While the Swiss are generally non-confrontational, robust and detailed debate is commonplace in business meetings.

Cultural Sensitivity

The Swiss are a private, reserved people so it is best to avoid asking questions about someone’s marital status, religion, or other personal issues. Generally, the Swiss are conservative in their opinions and despite their diverse regions, are fiercely loyal to their own country, so it is wise to avoid even light banter in initial exchanges. One particular topic to avoid in Swiss company is the country’s policy of mandatory military service. A referendum held in 2013 failed to abolish conscription with 73% of the electorate voting to keep the policy. However, this remains a sensitive subject, and alluding to it in Swiss circles can lead to bitter arguments.

Business language

With four different languages in one country, communication in business can be an issue. However, larger Swiss companies are now starting to operate using English as a ‘bridging’ business language. Most Swiss speak a good level of English, but it is polite to use one of the main regional languages (French, German, Italian, Romansh) if you are able to.