Full guide
Process, exceptions, and official sources
Every step in order, with exceptions, special cases and official sources.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Budgets below are realistic student ranges for 2026, not minimum legal amounts for visas.
Survival roadmap
Monthly budget → Housing share → Food → Transport → Insurance → Fun buffer
First-week checklist
- Phone: Swiss SIM or eSIM (Salt, Sunrise, Yallo, Migros Mobile) — compare prepaid vs contract.
- Transport: Download SBB Mobile; check if your canton includes a semester ticket in tuition.
- Food: Locate nearest Migros/Coop/Lidl; university Mensa opening hours.
- Cash/card: TWINT is ubiquitous — link to a Swiss account when possible.
- Laundry: Ask house rules (shared machines, coins, quiet hours).
Monthly budget by city (2026)
| Expense | Zurich / Geneva | Lausanne / Bern / Basel | Smaller cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (room/WG) | CHF 750–1,100 | CHF 600–950 | CHF 500–800 |
| Health insurance | CHF 300–450 | CHF 300–450 | CHF 300–450 |
| Food | CHF 350–500 | CHF 300–450 | CHF 280–400 |
| Transport | CHF 80–160 | CHF 60–140 | CHF 50–120 |
| Phone / internet share | CHF 50–80 | CHF 50–80 | CHF 50–80 |
| Serafe + misc | CHF 40–80 | CHF 40–80 | CHF 40–80 |
| Total (excl. tuition) | CHF 1,600–2,400+ | CHF 1,400–2,100 | CHF 1,250–1,900 |
Last updated: May 2026 — visa proof-of-funds rules may require higher totals; confirm with your canton
Groceries and eating out
- Migros & Coop — Main supermarkets; “Migros Daily” / “Coop Pronto” for convenience (pricier).
- Discount: Aldi, Lidl, Denner — staples and weekly promotions.
- Markets — Saturday farmers’ markets for produce; close to closing for reductions.
- University Mensa — Often CHF 12–18 for a full meal — best weekday option.
- Too Good To Go — Bakery and restaurant surprise bags.
- Drinking water — Tap water is safe everywhere; carry a bottle.
Transport
- SBB Half-Fare Card — 50% off most tickets (~CHF 190/year) — pays off quickly.
- GA Travelcard — Unlimited travel — only worth it if you commute daily across zones.
- Night services — Limited; plan last trains on weekends.
- Bikes — Popular in flat cities; buy second-hand (Ricardo, Tutti, Facebook).
- International trips — Book SBB “Supersaver” tickets weeks ahead; FlixBus for budget routes.
Laundry and housing etiquette
- Shared laundry — Book slots; never leave wet clothes in the machine.
- Quiet hours — Typically 22:00–07:00 (building rules vary).
- Recycling — Separate PET, glass, paper, cardboard, organic (canton-specific).
- Shoes — Remove at the door in many households.
Weather and clothing
- Winter — Real snow in many regions; invest in waterproof boots and a good coat (Decathlon, H&M, second-hand).
- Layering — Trams and lecture halls are heated; dress in layers.
- Sun — Alpine UV is strong — sunscreen on ski trips and hikes.
Student discounts and free activities
- Museums — Many offer student/reduced tickets; some free on certain days.
- Sport — University sports centres (ASVZ Zurich, UNISPORT etc.) — cheaper than private gyms.
- Hiking — Free national pastime — SBB to trailhead + picnic.
- Libraries — Study spaces, sometimes instrument loans and events.
Scams and safety
- Rental scams — Never wire deposit before a viewing; beware listings far below market price.
- Pickpockets — Train stations and festivals in big cities.
- Emergency — 144 medical, 117 police, 112 European emergency.
Next step: mandatory health insurance — see the Health guide.
Sources
Niente spesa serale — negozi chiusi, pianifica.
Quick reference
Extreme punctuality, evening silence, quiet Sunday. Landscape invites skiing and hiking; efficient and clean cities.
Transport
SBB for trains; UNI semi-annual subscriptions. Mobility car sharing. Ticino: regional buses and trains.
- solid bleached board
- GA
- Bike sharing
Climate and what to pack
Cold winter and snow on the plains; intense alpine sun. Thermal jacket and grip shoes.
Phone and internet
Telephone
Swisscom top cover; Salt/Sunrise competitive. Fiber in the city. Mail still used for offices.
Food and groceries
Rösti, fondue, markets. Expensive but high quality. Great tap water.
Habits and settling in
Rumore dopo 22:00 segnalato. Vicini formali ma affidabili. Domenica famiglia — pianifica spesa sabato.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Key numbers
| Service | Number / note |
|---|---|
| Medical emergency (ambulance/rescue) | 144 |
| Police | 117 |
| Fire brigade | 118 |
| European emergency | 112 |
| Poisoning (Tox Info Suisse) | 145 — see toxinfo.ch |
| Emotional support (adults) | 143 — Die Dargebotene Hand |
| Children & young people | 147 (Pro Juventute helpline—check cantonal info) |
| Air / mountain rescue (Rega) | 1414 when appropriate for alpine emergencies |
| Consumer affairs | Foundation for Consumer Protection |
Post & pharmacy
Go deeper
Driving licence & ID
Exchange rules, international permits, and minimum ages differ widely. Confirm with the national or state motoring authority in svizzera before driving; rental desks usually require licence plus passport or national ID.
Mobile plans & SIM
Compare prepaid vs contract; you will usually need ID and sometimes proof of address. Ask about number portability, fair-use data caps, and EU/international roaming if you travel outside svizzera.
Groceries & food
Mix discount supermarkets with local markets and food-rescue apps where they operate. Check Sunday opening rules and bag/bottle deposit schemes in svizzera—they affect weekly cost.
Official sources and verification
2 HTTPS sources are already linked where they are used in the guide.