The Central Switzerland
Brochure.

Brochure Central Switzerland

33 YEARS OF RELOCATION IN SWITZERLAND welcome-service.ch | info@welcome-service.ch

Content index

1. Switzerland 5 1.1. History 5 1.2. Geography 6 1.3. Population 6 1.4. Climate 6 1.5. Languages 7 1.6. Economy 7 1.7. Religion 7

2. Local Authorities 8 2.1. Police 8 2.2. Crime 8 2.3. Immigration 8 2.3.1. Non EU/EFTA nationals working in Switzerland 8 2.3.2. EU/EFTA nationals working in Switzerland 9

3. Housing 10 3.1. Central Switzerland Housing Situation 10 3.2. Renting an accommodation 10 3.3. Some of your responsibilities as a tenant 11 3.4. Construction standards 12 3.5. Price of electricity 12

4. Connections 13 4.1. Utilities 13 4.2. Telephone & Internet & Television 13 4.3. Cable TV 13 4.4. Mobile Phones 14 4.5. Serafe (Radio / TV Tax) 14

5. Insurance 15 5.1. Civil Liability & home content Insurance 15 5.2. Car Insurance 15 5.3. Bicycle Insurance 15 5.4. Health Insurance 16 5.5. Pet Insurance 16

6. Cars 17 6.1. Importing a car into Switzerland 17 6.2. Driving License 18 6.3. Driving in Switzerland 19 6.4. Vehicle Registration Office 20 6.5. Buying a car in Switzerland 20 6.6. Car Insurance 20 6.7. Parking 20 6.8. Mobility Car Sharing 21

7. Transport 22 7.1. Public Transport 22 7.2. Trains 22 7.3. Taxis 23 7.4. Uber 23 7.5. Boats 23 7.6. Airplanes 23

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8. Healthcare 24 8.1. Hospitals 24 8.2. Doctors 24

9. Education 25 9.1. Swiss education system – Public schools 25 9.2. The Private School System 25 9.3. Day Nursery – Baby-Sitting service 25

10. Banking 26 10.1. Swiss currency 26 10.2. Opening a bank account 26 10.3. Bank listing 26 10.4. Payment orders 27 10.5. E-banking 27

11. Postal Services 28 11.1. Import: Custom/VAT 28

12. Where to shop? 29 12.1. Food 29 12.1.1. Supermarkets 29 12.2. Store opening hours 29 12.3. Market 29

13. waste and recycling 30 13.1. Waste Disposal and Recycling System 30 13.1.1. Chargeable rubbish bags 30 13.1.2 Green recycling bins 30 13.1.3. Recycling Centre 30 13.1.4. Recycling and waste disposal plan 30 13.1.5. Electrical appliances 30

14. Women’s interests 31

15. Domestic Animals 32 15.1. Import regulations 32

16. Good to know 33

17. Contact 33

Annexe 36-51

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1. Switzerland

1.1. History The origin of Switzerland dates back to 1291, when three cantons (Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald) signed a charter aligning the newly-founded conglomerate against the Habsburg dynasty. Over the centuries, other cantons joined this alliance and, in 1848, they drew up a Constitution, laying the foundations of the modern federal state. Switzerland today is made up of 26 cantons which all have their own cantonal laws and separate tribunals, but there is a Federal Court of Justice which can overrule them.

All six cantons included in Central Switzerland Lucerne was sold to Rudolf von Habsburg in 1291. are German-speaking, so are the neighbouring The city population protested against the limits cantons of Zurich, Bern, etc. Its largest city has on their autonomy and in 1332 pledged to form always been Lucerne due to its ideal geographical an eternal pact with the other forest cantons. The situation. Situated at the lower end of Lake Lucerne year 1332 is considered one of the most important between the Alps with high mountains and pass in Swiss History. For the first time, city and country roads and the Swiss midlands, the city of Lucerne populations enjoyed the same rights under an was predestined to be a centre of commerce (like agreement that would last for many years, and Zurich and Geneva). Due to travelling merchants, this was of great importance to the Confederation foreign (especially Italian) influence was particularly of States. Lucerne’s decision to join was probably strong. Excellent accessibility of natural monuments the factor that ensured the survival of the young in Central Switzerland made the region an important Confederation, which rapidly evolved into a city- touristic destination. state.

The Confederation’s victory at the Battle of Sempach in 1386 permanently freed Lucerne from its ties to Austria and paved the way for the formation of the territorial state of Lucerne. A visible sign of the power gained was the outward expansion of the fortification ring around the city and the construction of the Musegg wall, which was completed in 1408. Thereafter, Lucerne’s City Council was able to rule over 14 provinces. At the end of the 18th century a patrician group of only 29 families ruled the entire city state. Yet, in 1800 Lucerne was still a small town …And more specifically Lucerne… with only 4,300 inhabitants, despite its dominant position as the centre of Catholic Switzerland and Historians regard 1178 as the year of the birth focal point of a large subservient region. of Lucerne, because it was then that the parish was transferred from the monastery to the city. As the first city in the Confederation, Lucerne had New impetus for growth has been created by the always held a special position, and its geographical opening of the Gotthard Pass around 1220. The location should have predestined it to be the Swiss first fortification wall with towers was constructed capital. But since the canton of Lucerne had led during this time and stretched from the Grendel the “Sonderbund” Alliance, which was defeated in via Grabenstrasse to the Mühleplatz square. It also 1847, and then in 1848 voted against the Federal encompassed the still-insignificant left bank of the Constitution, Bern was finally chosen as the capital. city, ending near the lake with the Chapel Bridge In the mid-19th century the city gratefully seized the and Water Tower. opportunity offered by tourism to recapture some of its lost glory.

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In the following centuries, the city of Zug has been brought and fought through different families and banners. Through the years, the city had acquired various districts in its own vicinity, principally to the north and the west, which were ruled until 1798 by the town alone as subject lands. At the time of the Reformation, Zug clung to the old faith and was a member of the Christian Union of 1529. In 1586, it became a member of the Golden League.

From 1728 to 1738, it was distracted by violent disputes about the distribution of the French pensions. In 1798 its inhabitants opposed the …And more specifically Zug… French. The canton formed part of the Tellgau and later was one of the districts of the huge canton Zug history can be tracked back from the Bronze of the Waldstätten in the Helvetic Republic. The Ages when the Alemanni settled in the area in the canton of Waldstätten also consisted of what is 6th and 7th centuries A.D. today the Canton of Schwyz, the Canton of Lucerne, Unterwalden and the Canton of Uri. The town of Zug, first mentioned in records in 1240, was called an «oppidum» (town) in 1242 and a In 1803, the canton of Zug regained its independence «castrum» (fort) in 1255. In its early years, Zug was as a separate canton. The constitution of 1814 bought and mainly used by the Habsburg family as abolished open assemblies which had existed for in marriage gift. The town of Zug was governed by a the canton since 1376. In 1845 the canton of Zug bailiff appointed by the Habsburgs, and a council, became a member of the Sonderbund and shared and was much favoured by the Habsburg family. in the war of 1847 which was lost to the Swiss Several country districts (including Baar, Menzingen confederation. In 1848 the remaining functions of and Aegeri) each had their own Landsgemeinde the open assemblies were abolished. Both in 1848 open assemblies but were governed by one bailiff, and in 1874 the canton voted against the federal also appointed by the Habsburgs; these were known constitutions. The constitution of 1876 was amended as the «Aeusser Amt» (external area) and were always in 1881, and replaced by a new one in 1894. favourably disposed to the Swiss Confederation.

On 27 June 1352, both the town of Zug and the Aeusser Amt entered the Helvetic Confederation, the latter being received on exactly the same terms as the town and not, as was usual in the case of country districts, as a subject land. Around 1364, the town and the Aeusser Amt were recovered for the league by the men of Schwyz, and from this time Zug took part as a full member in all the acts of the league.

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1.3. Population There are over 8.4 million inhabitants in Switzerland, where approximately 9.5% are located in Central Switzerland.

The city of Lucerne has a population of around 81’000 residents: the Canton of Lucerne alone boasts almost 406’000 inhabitants. Lucerne has a proportion of approximately 18% of foreign residents.

The city of Zug has a population of around 30’000 1.2. Geography residents: the Canton of Zug alone boasts almost 125’000 inhabitants. Zug has a higher proportion of Switzerland is situated in mid-western Europe, in foreign residents with approximately 27%. the Alpine region. It is bordered by five foreign countries: France to the West, Germany to the More information on www.bfs.admin.ch North, Austria and Liechtenstein to the East and Italy to the South. Switzerland is a small country. The total area is 41’284km2 which includes a large green belt area. 1.4. Climate

The capital city, Bern, is located in the German- Because of its central position, Switzerland’s speaking part of the country. weather is influenced by the four main European Central Switzerland covers approximately 1/10 of air currents – those from the Atlantic, the eastern the surface of Switzerland. continent, the northern sub polar region and the south Mediterranean. The climate is temperate on Lucerne the Central Plateau, otherwise it differs from region to region. The Alps, extending from east to west, The Lake of the Four Forested Settlements or Lake form a major weather division between the north Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) is shared between the and south of Switzerland. At high altitude, it is often canton of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. warm during the day and cold during the night, even The lake is the fourth largest of the country. in the summer. The city of Lucerne is 435 meters above sea level and is surrounded by several mountains such as More information on www.meteosuisse.ch or dial Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, Bürgenstock, etc. #162 (information in French, German or Italian), or in any local daily newspaper. More information on www.luzern.ch A mobile app is also available for more information Zug and weather forecast.

The city of Zug is 415 above sea level. Its 11 municipalities enjoy unique scenic beauty characterised by beautiful countryside and the picturesque lakes of Zug and Aegeri. The expat community particularly appreciates Zug’s central location, with countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy and France all less than three hours away.

More information on www.zug.ch

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1.5. Languages 1.6. Economy Switzerland is quadrilingual: German (74% of Being strategically located in the middle of the the population), French (21%), Italian (4%) and country, the six cantons of Central Switzerland have Rumantsch (1%); this can be explained by its federal always been a very much appreciated residential structure. Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura and Vaud area. cantons are exclusively French-speaking; the cantons of Berne, Fribourg and Valais are bilingual (French But in 1946 the cantonal government decided it & German). Except for the Tessin canton (Italian should have one of the world’s lowest tax regimes speaking) and Grisons canton (Italian, German and and since the beginning of 2000, Central Switzerland Rumantsch), all the other cantons are only German- has experienced strong economic growth and its speaking. Naturally, foreign languages are taught at working population has increased quickly. Central school and most people are multilingual. Switzerland, more especially Zug, offer one of the lowest corporate tax rate in the world for companies. In any given region, children have to learn at least Additionally the cantons of Zug, Schwyz, Nidwalden one of the other two main national languages, most and Obwalden offer the four lowest individual often French or German as a second language, income tax rate in Switzerland. Nidwalden, Owalden depending on where they live. And it is true: and Uri offer the lowest individual wealth rate in the German people speak better French than French country. speak German! The attractive tax environment has made a major As Central Switzerland is located in the German contribution to the economic prosperity of the part, the common language is German. area and more especially Zug. Many multinational companies in every sector have setup their head operations office. Solely in Zug, more than 27’000 companies are registered.

1.7. Religion The Swiss are in majority Christian (72%). Central Switzerland has the highest percentage of Roman Catholic in the whole country of Switzerland: with 51% in Zug and 62% in Lucerne and boasts to 80% in cantons such as Uri or Obwald. The second most represented religion is Protestantism.

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2. Local Authorities

2.1. Police 2.3. Immigration There is no uniformed federal police force, since For nationals from non-European Union (EU) / law and order is the responsibility of each Canton. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, Besides the Cantonal police, Switzerland also has the Swiss immigration process is fairly complex individual city and town police squads and non- and decentralized. Each Swiss canton has a certain uniformed federal police. The Swiss are generally amount of autonomy over immigration into its law-abiding. You do not often see policemen on canton. the streets, and if there is an incident, they respond quickly to a Tel call. All police officers are armed, efficient and courteous. However, the number of 2.3.1. Non EU/EFTA nationals working in minor incivilities is on the increase and there is a Switzerland focus on cracking down the large number of illegal immigrant workers as well, which means that you A work authorization, visa and residence permit can be stopped at any time in the street and asked are required in Switzerland. A complete work to show your passport, residence permit or identity and residence permit application together with card. documentary evidence and arguments must be sent by the employer to the appropriate cantonal immigration authority. Once this application is 2.2. Crime approved, a Swiss «entry guarantee» is issued. With the «entry guarantee», a visa can be collected at Compared to other European countries, Switzerland the Swiss diplomatic post in the applicant’s home has a low crime rate, although it has increased in the country or other country of legal residence. Upon last decade, particularly damage to property. Violent entry into Switzerland, the applicant must register crimes are relatively rare. In the recent years, there with the cantonal immigration authorities and to the has been a rise in bicycle theft; you are advised not biometric data to finalise the process and have the to leave them unlocked. In the summer, gangs of permit issued. burglars tend to flock to Switzerland from Eastern Processing times for work and residence permits Europe, so it is a good idea to hide and lock-up vary depending on the canton, but between eight valuables when absent from home. A safety-deposit to twelve weeks is generally the average in a new box can easily be secured, on a rental basis, in any hire situation. Swiss entry visas are normally issued bank. in less than a week. In Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva and Basel – as in big cities everywhere - there are pickpockets. Be careful when shopping in supermarkets or in any crowded place!

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2.3.2. EU/EFTA nationals working in You will need to show your work permit when Switzerland purchasing a car, opening a bank account or a driver’s license, getting a mobile number, etc. As it takes Although not a member of the EU/EFTA, Switzerland some weeks to get the permit itself, you need to ask has several agreements with EU/EFTA that allow for an attestation at the “Amt für Migration” in the Swiss nationals to enjoy many privileges of the EU/ meantime. Although it is not a legal requirement, we EFTA, and also allows EU/EFTA nationals to enjoy do encourage you to carry your Swiss permit with privileged status in Switzerland. There are however you at all times, or at least a copy, especially for re- different levels of agreements depending on when entry into Switzerland. the member state joined the EU/EFTA. The partner/spouse of an employee may be able to Bilateral agreements on the free movement of work, depending on the type of residence permit persons are in full force for the following countries: granted to the hired relocating party. A ruling allows Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the partner of a B-permit holder to be employed Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, without being subject to the usual quota restrictions. Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United They will still need to obtain permission to work. Kingdom, Cyprus, Malta, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Again, the residence permit procedure will be Norway. Though nationals of these countries still conducted through the prospective employer. need to apply for Swiss work and residence permits, the consideration and issuance process is fairly Local migration offices – cf Annexe - Table 1 straightforward and not subject to any quotas.

The bilateral agreements on the free movement of persons that apply to EU member states that joined the EU in May 2004 (i.e. Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia) confirm that nationals of these countries are subject to transitory immigration measures. Work and residence permits issued to nationals of these countries are subject to certain quotas and additional controls to protect the local labour market.

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3. Housing

3.1. Central Switzerland 3.2. Renting an accommodation Housing Situation In Central Switzerland, the number of rooms counted The standard of living in Switzerland is high and in an apartment description includes the living room so are the infrastructures, however there is an and bedroom so a two-room apartment consists of acute shortage of affordable accommodation in the living room, bathroom, and one bedroom. Switzerland, especially in the Zug region. Thus finding your dream and cosy apartment overlooking • Rental application - when applying for the lake may be difficult to do! accommodation, a series of documents will need to be submitted with the rental application : Shortage of places to live is common throughout - Salary attestation Switzerland. The vacancy rate for apartments and - Passport or ID card houses has fallen to 0,91% on average for the whole - Attestation of work/stay authorisation for non- country. Lucerne is at 1.1% and with 0,4%, Zug has EU citizen one of the lowest vacancy rate in the country. • Lease contract - issued for various duration depending on the place, the landlord, etc. According to the Federal Office of Statistics, the two However most often leases are issue for an principal reasons are: population growth resulting initial duration of 1 year renewable. More and from the arrival of multinational companies and a more leases are issued for a fixed term and non- stagnation in new-build houses or apartments. renewable period of one year. This being said, if all goes well during the tenancy the lease is most Housing accounts for around 25 to 30% of the probably renewed. average family budget. • Cancellation notice – to cancel a lease contract, tenants must give a 3-months advance notice Most families want to live close to their children’s for the quarterly terms, at the exception of school, while most singles or couples want to live December 31st. close to their office or in a lively area. • Liberatory clause - this clause entails that as of The cost will vary considerably depending on the the second year of rental, in the case of transfer construction year, size, facilities and location of out of the canton or Switzerland for professional the accommodation. When a vacant property is reasons the lease can be cancelled with three renovated, the new tenant can expect an increase months’ notice for the end of a month. Although in rent. Welcome Service will request it, it is not automatically granted. Given the lack of available apartments, some tenants • Deposit - the deposit or bank guarantee is take advantage of the situation by subletting their equivalent to up to three months of rent and apartment -furnished or not - at a higher price. must be established prior to the entrance inspection (see below). Cash or checks are not Low-cost housing such as HLM and HCM (council accepted; the money must be blocked on a flats) is only for low-income Swiss nationals and special bank account in Switzerland during the C-permit holders, who have paid taxes for 2 years entire length of the lease. Upon vacating the minimum in the Canton of Geneva. premises, and providing that the premises have not been deteriorated beyond ‘normal wear and tear’, the guarantee will be released.

If the total amount of the guarantee is below CHF 20’000.- this can be taken care of by Swisscaution or Firstcaution, but you will need to receive the approval from the estate agency first. A yearly fee is due depending on the amount of the bank guarantee.

More information on www.swisscaution.ch or www.firstcaution.ch

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• Rent - Must be paid by the 1st of each month. • Maintenance of household appliances/ • Entrance inspection – Before moving into equipment. your home, an entrance inspection is always • Repair of damage caused by leaking pipes (gas completed in presence of the real estate or water), frost. agency. Welcome Service will be present during • Fireplace – The chimney must be swept once this formality and we highly recommend your a year. Usually the chimney sweeper will get in presence as well. Entrance inspection is the base contact with you directly. Please keep in a safe of the exit inspection. place invoices as they will be requested at the • Civil liability insurance – see Chapter 5 exit inspection. • Home content insurance – see Chapter 5 • Heating system – If the heating is an individual • Garbage – Switzerland recycles a relatively high system, a control must be done once a year. You proportion of household waste, so Swiss people may also be requested to subscribe to a yearly sort their rubbish for recycling. The manner and maintenance contract. timing of waste collection depends on where • Boiler – The boiler must be de-scaled once every you live. Most buildings have a bin room located two years. It is usually done shortly before the in the basement for taxed bags that you will exit inspection. purchase in the supermarket. Recycle station are • Oil tank – You should check your oil level twice a available with special containers for compost, year and add fuel if necessary. aluminium, batteries, standard garbage, glass, • Gutters, ditches and rain collectors – Due to plastic, etc. the fall of the leaves in autumn, you should clean the latter as they might be obstructed. You can do this yourself or contract the services of a 3.3. Some of your gardener or handyman. This will have to be done responsibilities as a tenant before leaving the house. • Pipes – Due to the low temperatures, the • Excessive wear & tear – You will be expected to external pipes may freeze in winter. You should replace, repair or clean damaged, lost or soiled items. therefore close the water supply and empty the • Holes in the wall – You are allowed to hang pipes to prevent them from freezing. The tenant up pictures on the walls but when leaving the will be held responsible of any damage caused apartment, the holes must be filled in. For this by freeze. Please note that some gardeners are job, we recommend you to contact a painter. willing to do that for you, so do not hesitate to • Damages caused by pets – You will be ask them. responsible to repair any damages done by your pets.

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• Pipe works – The tenant must regularly clean and 3.4. Construction Standards bear the cost of cleaning the internal and external drains. Some landlords/agencies will request this • Kitchen : usually fully equipped. In anything to be performed for the exit inspection. from a studio to a three-room apartment, the • Parasites, rodents, wasps, etc. – Inform your kitchen is usually equipped or semi-equipped; lessor immediately of any problems. Your lessor fridge, cooker, or extractor fan. In new buildings, will provide you with details of a specialist to appliances are of very good quality but freezers deal with these problems, and will most probably may nevertheless still be very small. Kitchen are supervise the interventions, to make sure that you usually not equipped with microwave. Curtain are not responsible for these pests. rails are mostly present. • Maintenance of the garden – Unless otherwise • Laundry facilities in apartment: sometimes stated in the lease contract, tenants are equipped with connection in order to install your responsible for the maintenance of the garden. personal appliance – installation must be done The landlord/agency will expect tenants to return by a professional. In most buildings there is a it in the condition they received it. Responsibilities common laundry-room with washer and dryer include: trimming of the hedges and small trees shared with rotas for tenant use. once a year, regular lawn mowing, fertilizing and • Laundry facilities in house : sometimes equipped scarifying if necessary, maintenance of the flower or not but there are always the connections. beds, regular watering of the lawn, flower beds • Lighting : apartments are handed over with bare and small trees, removal of all waste material electrical wires which mean there is no obligation from the property, cleaning of the terrace with a from the landlord to provide sockets or hooks. water blaster at least once a year. The lessor has the right to request that a professional takes care • No curtain rails or curtains are provided but of the above mentioned, at the tenant’s charge, shutters or blinds are installed. if the tenant has not done anything, despite • Parquet or tile floors for living areas. warnings in writing. • There are no fly or mosquito screens on windows. • Swimming-pool – We recommend you to hire • There is no air-conditioning installed. a professional company to take care of the • New apartments tend to have smaller bedrooms; wintering and the reopening of the pool. we recommend you to check before bringing your king-size bed. • For new or renovated accommodations, the possible establishment of a telephone connection is at the charge of the entering tenant.

3.5. Price of electricity • Electricity is usually at each tenant’s expense and is billed based on the consumed kilowatt-hour (kWh) • The price of the kilowatt-hour varies depending on your home address and the amount of electricity used (appliances, cooking, heating, etc.).

Price of electricity – cf Annexe - Table 2

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4. Connections

Before moving into your house/apartment, 4.2. Telephone & Internet & Welcome Service will take care of all connections on Television your behalf. Swisscom is the main provider and offers various combined packages with or without landline and 4.1. Utilities combining telephone, internet, TV and/or mobile. Internet speed will vary according to the address. Utilities include the following: electricity, gas, Alternative providers (i.e. Salt, Sunrise, UPC, local heating and water. The amount that you pay will providers) can also be available depending on the depend on your consumption. address.

When renting an apartment, provisional Once applied for, this can usually be installed within maintenance charges (heating and hot water) are a week. Should the premises be new or have been generally paid with the monthly rent to the agency. empty for a long time, an electrician will have to be Once a year estate agents actually read meters contacted to reactivate the telephone line. This will and send the yearly breakdown to tenants. Then be at the entering tenant’s expense. tenants either have to pay an additional amount or receive a refund. Electricity and gas are always billed Welcome Service will provide you with up-to-date independently by the supplier. information once you have found a home.

When renting a house, all utilities are always More information on www.swisscom.ch or (+41) additional to the monthly rent. 0800 800 800 or www.comparis.ch.

Before connecting your electrical appliances, check that the voltage is 220 volts. If not, you will need to 4.3. Cable TV buy a transformer to convert the voltage to 220 volts. It is also likely that plugs will not be the same as the City apartments are sometimes connected to cable ones in your home country. Should this be case, you TV enabling you to receive approximately thirty can either replace them or buy adapters. Depending basic channels with the standard subscription. More on the duration of your stay in Switzerland, we do channels and different packages are available on recommend that you buy new ones. demand. Sometimes the monthly basic subscription is included in the monthly rent. All utilities (electricity, gas and water) are managed by individual providers in each canton. Provisional bills are sent usually every two months and payable Radio/TV/Satellite outlet within 30 days. The final meter reading is processed once a year and final invoice is sent by postmail. Radio Some providers may propose as well Internet & telephone packages. TV Satellite Price of electricity – cf Annexe - Table 2

Optic fiber outlet

Number of the fiber optic cable outlet (OTO ID)

Sockets for your WLAN modem (you will find out the number (1 to 4) during the activation process)

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4.4. Mobile Phones 4.5. SERAFE (Radio / TV Tax) The main mobile phone operators in Switzerland are It is a legal requirement for all Swiss residents to Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise. pay the tax if you have access to TV and/or radio programmes, and you are risking high fines if you Swisscom is slightly more expensive but has one choose not to (up to CHF 5’000.-). of the best quality networks. Various types of subscriptions are available with these providers If you have a computer with an internet connection, depending on your frequency and type of use. and if you watch TV on internet (streaming etc) you must pay both the TV & Radio tax. The same goes Normally one must wait to have received the if you receive TV programmes via any satellite (Sky, residence permit to be able to subscribe to a mobile Canal+, etc). phone. However through Swisscom, we can order this for you even without a permit. More information on www.serafe.ch

More information on www.swisscom.ch or www.salt.ch or www.sunrise.ch.

Making a telephone call

• To call the Central Switzerland area dial the number with area code 041 • To call other cantons dial the number with area code (please refer to list below)

Swiss telephone area codes – cf Annexe - Table 3

• To call Switzerland from another country, dial country code (+41) + area code without 0 • To call another country from Switzerland dial country code + area code

Main international country codes – cf Annexe - Table 4

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5. Insurance

5.1. Civil Liability & home 5.2. Car Insurance content Insurance Civil liability insurance is compulsory for all tenants All cars must be insured. If your car has Swiss and covers any accidental damage to other people’s registration plates, the insurance must also be Swiss. and/or to the rented property. All family members You can choose between the following types of living officially together are covered. Cost depends insurance: on the amount insured. An attestation of the policy will be requested by the real estate company for the • Third-Party – includes passenger cover and is entrance inspection. compulsory in all cantons. Home content insurance is often combined with • Part Comprehensive – known in some countries civil liability and covers personal belongings against as third-party, fire and theft. Includes cover natural hazards such as fire, flood, gas explosion, etc. against fire, natural hazards, theft, broken glass The best basis for valuation is the removal inventory. and damage caused by a collision with animals. You can usually choose to pay a deductible, for example the first CHF 500.- to CHF 2’000.- of any claim, in order to reduce your premium. Part comprehensive insurance is compulsory in some cantons. • Full Comprehensive – covers all risks including self-inflicted damage to your own car. You can choose to pay a deductible in order to reduce your premium. It’s usually compulsory for leasing and credit purchase contracts. • Insurance company – check with your company if they have a special arrangement. If not, there is a list available at Welcome Service. If you import your car from your home country and keep the foreign registration plates, do not forget to keep your foreign insurance.

Please note: Do not forget to ask your current insurance company for a certificate confirming a good driving record, the starting date of your insurance policy, its date of expiry, and the length of your no-claims period in order to qualify for a full discount on your car insurance premiums in Switzerland. Third party up to CHF 200’000.- are covered by your Civil Liability Insurance. Damages caused to yourself are covered by your personal accidents insurance.

5.3. Bicycle Insurance • Physical and material damages caused to a third party up to Chf 200’000.- are covered by your Civil Liability Insurance. Damages caused to yourself are covered by your personal accidents insurance.

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5.4. Health Insurance 5.5. Pet Insurance Basic health insurance (Krankenversicherung) is Damages caused by pets like dogs and cats are compulsory for everyone who lives or works in generally covered by your Civil Liability Insurance, Switzerland. Foreigners are required to obtain but please verify this with your insurer and ask for coverage within three months of their arrival in the a policy that states this coverage. For medical care country. Please note that it is your own responsibility (caused by illness or accidents), you can obtain to contact the insurance provider in order to set up an insurance with Epona, but double check the your cover. coverage.

• Health insurance can be taken out with a More information on domestic animals, see health fund or a private health insurance Chapter 14. company. It is usually necessary to affiliate with a Swiss insurance company, as Swiss insurance authorities do not always accept global health insurances, even when the policy covers medical care in Switzerland. • Basic insurance required by law covers medical treatment in case of sickness and maternity, accident being normally covered through the employer. It includes: hospitalisation in a common ward, basic ambulatory and recognised medication by the Office Fédéral des Assurances Sociales (OFAS). • Complementary cover includes: health cures, medications not recognised by OFAS, prostheses, homeopathy, ambulance expenses, private and semi-private rooms in hospitals, etc. • Employers sometimes benefit from group policies from health insurers which can offer employees discounted premiums. Legally, employers are required to insure all employees in the event of accidents; in such cases, costs will be split in half between the employer and the employee. • Health and accident insurances are mandatory for spouse and children. As a family is not necessarily covered by one parent’s affiliation, each family member must be insured individually. • It is possible to take out an international worldwide health insurance policy which may be of particular interest to people living in Switzerland temporarily or to those who are frequently changing countries. However, you need a special exemption and it must provide the same or better cover than a basic Swiss health insurance.

More information: www.comparis.ch

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6. Cars

6.1. Importing a car into Vehicle Control & Exhaust Emission Tests Registration Switzerland • Although you are allowed to drive your car in Switzerland for a maximum of one year with If you are not a European Resident, we strongly customs authorisation (form 15.3), we advise recommend you not to import your car into you to make an early appointment with the Switzerland garage representing your type of car and get them to prepare your car for the mandatory Customs Clearance control and exhaust emission tests requested • A car can be imported into Switzerland free of by the canton’s vehicle registration office. It is tax if you have owned it for at least six months also recommended that the garage handles the before moving to Switzerland, and you are registration of your car, this service will be billed importing it as part of your personal belongings. directly from the garage to you. • If the car has been in your possession for less than six months, the following taxes must be • The following papers will be requested : paid: - 13.20A form delivered and stamped by Swiss - 4% of the value of the car Customs - 7,7% of VAT - 18.44 form - 12 to 15 centimes per kilo (except for - Foreign registration plates holders of a European conformity - Car registration papers (carte grise) certificate) - Valid Swiss insurance policy - CO2-fees - Original EC certificate of conformity or - administrative fees duplicate in French, German, Italian or • It is preferable to have the removal company English. deal with the car importation, or at least go - Swiss residence permit through the same border post as the rest of - Car service handbook showing technical and your effects. If that is not possible, the car can motor specifications be cleared later. - If possible, the invoice attesting to the • During customs clearance at the border, you will purchase of the car need the following documents: - 18.44 Form – the official form listing your personal belongings brought to Switzerland, including your car - Your Swiss resident permit or your Autorisation de Séjour - The foreign car registration papers (called the carte grise or grey card in Switzerland) - Photocopy of the lease contract - For vehicles with German plates: the Kraftfahrzeugbrief & for vehicles from Italy: Foglio complementare - Cash, as it is not always possible to pay with credit cards

Additional information available at Head Customs Office Tel: (+41) 058 467 15 15 Call opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 11:30 and from 13:30 to 17:00.

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CO2 emission regulations for passenger vehicles 6.2. Driving License • The Confederation is aiming to reduce average Your foreign driver’s license is valid in Switzerland for CO2 emissions in the case of new passenger 12 months following your arrival date in Switzerland, vehicles. From 1 July 2012, a fine (sanction) but we strongly advise you to change it immediately will thus have to be paid when new passenger upon your arrival. Should you get controlled by vehicles are registered for the first time if they the police and do not have a Swiss driver’s license, do not reach a specific target value (on average you will be fined, and have to change your driver’s 107 g of CO2 per km). This sanction will not, license to a Swiss one as soon as possible. however, be imposed at the import customs clearance but will be imposed subsequently by To obtain a Swiss driver’s license, the following the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Therefore, documents must be submitted: when importing a new passenger vehicle for personal use, please take into account that a • Application form completed sanction tax may be incurred in addition to the • Foreign driver’s license – the date of issue customs clearance costs if the target value is written on your driver’s license will considered not achieved. More detailed information can be as the date you passed your driver’s test. found at the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) link • Swiss residence permit below, where answers to other questions on this • Two colour passport photographs (please topic can also be found. indicate first and family name on the back of them) • Please note that your car cannot be registered in • Eye test – to be obtained from an authorized Switzerland before you are in possession of your optician in Geneva Swiss residence permit. Therefore you should ask • Original identification document a two to three month extension of your current • Proof of payment insurance policy to cover you in Switzerland. A driver’s license delivered by a European country • You are allowed to use your own car (registered will on a general basis be sent back to the motoring under your name) in Switzerland for up to 1 year administration of the country of origin. (from your official entry date) as long as your foreign insurance covers you here with unlimited A driver’s license delivered by a non-European validity despite your move. country will on a general basis be returned to its owner with a stamp “not valid in Switzerland”.

Certain nationalities (e.g.: most African countries, Australia, New Zealand, most Asian countries, most South American countries, and most Arabic countries) will have to pass a formal driving test (approx. one hour at an additional cost).

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6.3. Driving in Switzerland There are road rules and signs that you must know; Vehicle’s tires the general ones are contained in the Handbook of Swiss Traffic Regulations, published in In Switzerland, there is no legal requirement that French, German, Italian, English and Spanish. a vehicle must be fitted with winter tires in winter. We strongly recommend you to buy it. However, the driver is obliged to drive in a safe and reliable vehicle and must always be able to maintain Here are some general indications: control of the vehicle in any situation. In winter • You can drive a car from the age of 18 conditions, driving with summer tires, does not fulfil • The Swiss drive on the right-hand side of the this obligation and is therefore punishable. road • It is compulsory for seat belts to be fastened in If, in the event of an accident, the driver is held liable both the front and back seats because his vehicle was not properly equipped for • Children under the age of 12 must be seated winter use, his insurance may reduce his benefits or at the back. They can only ride in the front even claim against him for negligence. passenger seat if it is impossible for them to sit at the back Laws governing the use of winter tires in Europe • Bus, taxi and cycle lanes are yellow and must be vary from country to another and sometimes even left clear by other drivers from region to region. If you are planning to travel • Drivers on a roundabout have priority over with your car, we highly recommend that you check those entering it i.e. give way to the left the country’s regulation beforehand. • At a stop or give way sign, priority is given to traffic coming from the right • If you want to drive on Swiss highways (motorways), you must purchase (Chf 40.- / year) a sticker called a Vignette, available at the border crossings into Switzerland, post offices and petrol stations. This Vignette has to be stuck to the inside of your windshield, and be clearly visible, it gives you unlimited access to all highways (motorways) across Switzerland for the indicated year on the Vignette • It’s forbidden to use your mobile phone whilst driving unless you use a hands-free kit • Public transport and pedestrians have priority over cars • Road signs: Highways (motorways): green Main roads: blue Secondary roads: white • Speed limits are Motorways: max 120 km/h Dual carriageways: max 100 km/h, Secondary highways: max 80 km/h Urban areas: max 50 km/h Residential areas: max 30 km/h

Every year, you will have to pay tax on your car based on the category of the car and the engine power.

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6.4. Vehicle Registration Office 6.7. Parking Vehicle Registration Office – cf Annexe - Table 4 Major cities are notorious for not offering many cheap places to park (and certainly no free parking spots) but here are some possibilities: 6.5. Buying a car in Switzerland Public Indoor Parking In order to buy a car in Switzerland, one must have a Expensive but you can park your car for as long as permit as well as a Swiss driver’s license. you wish. You pay when exiting, with coins or notes. Depending on where you live and on how long you New cars - All new cars must be fitted with a stay, it is possible to apply for a monthly subscription catalytic converter. In most cases, cars are bought which could be less expensive. by leasehold. Some dealers grant a discount of approximately 10%. Here are the main ones in Lucerne : • Bahnhofparking - Bahnhofplatz - 6002 Luzern Used cars - Second-hand cars are usually in very • Parkhaus Hotel Flora - Pilatusstrasse 4 - 6003 good condition, well-maintained and available with Luzern interesting options. Garages often offer a one year • Parkhaus Kantonalbank - Hirschmattstrasse 36 guarantee; however, you should be cautious when - 6003 Luzern buying from a private individual. If you are a member • Parkhaus Hirzenmatt - Winkelriedstrasse 36 - of TCS (Touring Club Suisse), you can ask for one of 6003 Luzern their agents to come and give the car a once over. • Kesselturm - Burgerstrasse 20 - 6003 Luzern • Parkhaus AltstadtParkhaus Altstadt - Welcome Service can provide you with a list of new Baselstrasse 4 - 6003 Luzern or second-hand car dealers depending on what kind • Parkhaus am Gütsch - Baselstrasse 61A - 6003 of car you want to buy but you can also look at the Luzern classified ads section in the local newspapers. • Parkhaus Hotel Seehof - Schwanenplatz - 6004 Luzern Autociel • Parkhaus Hotel Schweizerhof - Schweizerhofquai 3 - 6002 Luzern If you need a car while you are relocated in • Parkhaus Hotel National - Haldenstrasse 23 - Switzerland, Autociel will help you find the best 6006 Luzern deals. They help you find new cars, second hand • City Parking - Zürichstrasse 9 - 6004 Luzern cars or even import or sell your car. It has rapidly become the leading car dealer for expatriates in For live availabilities, you can check the following the Romandie. Whatever you need or want, their website: www.pls-luzern.ch team of experts, most of whom speak fluent English as well as other languages, can give you excellent Here are the main ones in Zug : advice, free of charge. • Casino - Zugerbergstrasse, 6300 Zug • Arena - General-Guisan-Strasse 4, 6300 Zug More information: • Athene - Mänibachstrasse 5, 6300 Zug Tel. (+41) 021 796 37 37 or www.autociel.ch • Bundesplatz / Coop City - Bundesplatz, 6300 Zug • Citypark - Rigistrasse 3, 6300 Zug 6.6. Car Insurance • Frauensteinmatt - Frauensteinmatt, 6300 Zug • Kantonale Verwaltung - An der Aa, 6300 Zug It is compulsory to have car insurance. • Metalli - Industriestrasse, 6300 Zug • Neustadt-Passage - Poststrasse, 6300 Zug For information, see Chapter 5. • Neustadtplatz - Bundesstrasse 4, 6300 Zug • Parkhaus Postplatz - Poststrasse 4a, 6300 Zug • Vorstadt - Schmidgasse, 6300 Zug

For live availabilities, you can check the following website: www.pls-zug.ch

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White Zones You can check on: www.mobility.ch

Parking spaces located in white zones allow you to Pets with Mobility car sharing : Pets can also be park for a defined maximum time, depending on the transported in a Mobility car. Please make sure that area. All parking meters accept coins and some of they are either inside a suitable container or on a them accept credit cards; do not forget to place the blanket, which you must provide. ticket on the dash board so that it is clearly visible. White zones are free at night & on Sundays. White Parking : If a dedicated Mobility parking space is zones in the suburbs are always free – double check! already occupied, use an authorized parking space within sight of the usual station and inform the Blue Zones 24h Service Center immediately on 0848 824 812. Mobility stations other than the starting station are A blue-zone disk is required to park in a blue-zone not to be used as a parking space. area, Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 19:00. The disk gives the right to park for up to one hour. Journeys Abroad: If you wish to drive the vehicle abroad, contact the 24h Service Center on 0848 824 Macaron 812 to obtain an authorization. Fuel costs will be reimbursed against receipts, at the rates currently This is the closest you’re going to come to applicable in Switzerland. Special insurance cover parking for free downtown. The Blue Zone areas such as European accident and breakdown cover is (recognisable because they are painted blue on the to be taken out at your own cost. As a general rule ground) require that you put a sign on the inside of journey abroad are permitted only in the countries your windshield, you are then allowed to park for covered by the insurance. A current list of those 90 minutes. If you arrive at 14.45 it’s okay to start countries can be found in the General Terms and at 15.00, so you gain a bit of time. You can now buy Conditions. day passes for blue zone areas for CHF 20.- and if you live in the area you can get a monthly pass for Reservation options : CHF 50.- only valid for the area where you live. No reservation fee: - Internet: www.mobility.ch Park & Ride - Mobile reservation: www.m.mobility.ch With reservation fee: These facilities, combining parking and a bus ticket, - 24H service center on 0848 824 812 are located in Lucerne neighbourhoods near major bus lines. You park your car then you take the bus to You will find more information on the brochure: go downtown. www.mobility.ch/fileadmin/files/documents/ brochures/How_it_works.pdf

6.8. Mobility Car Sharing A mobile app is available for more information and online reservation: Mobility car sharing Switzerland provide vehicles around the clock, on a self-service basis to do what you need to do without owning a car.

Mobility has 2’650 vehicles at 1’380 stations through-out Switzerland. You pick the car up at a station and use it for as long as you need and when you are finished, you return the vehicle in the same station

Period of use : the shortest period of use is one hour. The maximum period you can use a mobility car is usually 16 days.

Choice of station : With 1’380 mobility stations throughout Switzerland there is almost certainly a mobility car near you. 21

7. Transport

7.1. Public Transport Half Fare travelcard Cut your travel costs in half with the Half Fare Public transport in Switzerland is of good quality; no travelcard. You can travel for half price on all SBB strikes, punctual, frequent and clean. Most of them routes and most other railways as well as on boats, usually run from around 06:00 to around 00:00 (a bit buses and trams. later on the weekends and holiday periods). The annual cost is CHF 185. You can take advantage Lots of places can be reached through a network of a loyalty price of CHF 165 a year once your Half of trains, trams, buses, ships and cable cars. Each Fare travelcard is automatically renewed after a year city runs its own buses network and more remote or you seamlessly change from a GA travelcard to villages are connected via “Postbus” to the nearest the Half Fare travelcard. train station. GA (General Abonnement) travelcard Lucerne With the GA travelcard for 1st or 2nd class, you may If you use public transport on a daily basis, it is use any kind of transport in Switzerland. The GA advisable to purchase the Jahresabo for the yearly travelcard allows you to ride any kind of transport cost of CHF 790.- for Lucerne city centre. (train, bus, boat, etc) unlimited for a whole year. It is also available for children, students, senior citizens More information www.vbl.ch and families at a reduced price. The yearly cost for an adult in 2nd class is CHF Zug 3’655.- The “Zuger Pass Plus” allows you unlimited access to Zug’s public transport network for one full year. SwissPass The cost if CHF 576.- The SwissPass is more than just a public transport travelcard. It offers you access to numerous partner More information www.zvb.ch services such as Mobility carsharing, Publibike, SwissMobile, etc.

7.2. Trains The SwissPass is also available through the SBB smartphone app with all personal information The Swiss railway system is called SBB for stored. Schweizerische Bundesbahnen in. It is very easy to travel across the country and throughout Europe, for NB: CFF fares are subject to change each year in example to Paris, Milan or Brussels, by train. December.

Trains are free for children up to 6 years of age, then The two main train stations are: half-price up to 16 years and full price thereafter. The • Bahnhof Luzern, located in the centre of town CFF offers different passes such as the half-fare pass • Bahnhof Zug, located in the centre of town in order to travel half-price in trains and boats, junior half-price to travel for free when accompanied by an More information and reservation on www.sbb.ch adult, combined half-price and Track 7 to travel for or (+41) 0900 300 300. free from 7pm to 7am and the general pass to travel all around Switzerland by train and all other forms of A mobile app is also available to purchase tickets public transport for free. and get more information.

The CFF also provides some special day or week- end packages, such as skiing days, week-ends to Disneyland in Paris with hotel and train, etc.

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7.3. Taxis 7.5. Boats Taxis are easily available in Switzerland, most people There are excursions on the Lake Lucerne and Lake call and book for taxis. Fares can be rather high, and Zug throughout the year, but the high-season is from depend on how many you are, the time of day, and mid-May to mid-September, when there are a lot of your destination. boats navigating on the lake. There are lunch and dinner cruises, as well as inter-city, whole or selected parts of the lake, as well as panoramic trips (to show 7.4. UBER you the best views of the area.

The main advantage of this transport is the Buying a ticket: technology. Indeed, you can order your driver, insert your route and destination as well as pay via the LUCERNE app. No need for cash money but before your first SGV – Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des trip you must have downloaded the app, you are Vierwaldstättersees registered and have added your payment method Main office, Werftestrasse 5 so that you can make your first trip. www.lakelucerne.ch or (+41) 041 367 67 67 Weekdays: 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00 More information on www.uber.com Weekends: 08h30-16h00

ZUG SGZ – Schifffahrtsgesellschaft für den Zugersee Main office, An der Aa 6 www.zugersee-schifffahrt.ch or (+41) 041 728 58 58 Weekdays: 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00

7.6. Airplanes Zurich Airport is the largest international airport of Switzerland and the principal hub of Swiss International Air Lines. The airport serves the city of Zurich and much of the rest of the country through its transport links.

The airport is connected to all major cities around the world with approximately 750 flights per day. 185 destinations are deserved with nearly 30% outside Europe. 80’000 people transit everyday via Zurich airport for a total of nearly 30 million passengers per year.

The IATA code is ZRH.

The airports of Geneva and Basel are also two major airports in Switzerland that can connect you to Europe.

More information on www.zurich-airport.com or (+41) 043 816 22 11

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8. Healthcare

Switzerland is well-known for having very good The choice of hospital or clinic depends on your medical care. Foreigners coming from certain health insurance cover and availability of the countries, for example Russia, will be required to hospital’s relevant service. If you have basic health have a health-check before moving to Switzerland. insurance, you will stay in a communal ward with two This check-up will be done in Switzerland, in any to four beds, semi-private in a two-bed ward and general public hospital. with private insurance you have your own room.

Before moving to Switzerland, please bring your For more information www.lucernehealth.com family’s medical records as well as yours, as you will be asked for them upon arrival. 8.2. Doctors 8.1. Hospitals Depending on your health insurance contract, you can go to the doctor of your choice or may have The Canton of Lucerne offers three major hospitals: to go to an appointed doctor. You should make an appointment before visiting the doctor. The invoice 1. LUKS, Luzerner Kantonsspital. It is one of the will be sent directly at your home and must be paid largest hospitals in Switzerland. Its departments within 30 days. Send a copy of the invoice to your and institutes offer top level medical services. health insurance so that they can reimburse you Comprehensive services of Luzerner Kantonsspital for the consultation. Once deductible is reached, cover all medical fields from basic provision to insurance will recover 90% of the cost but it could be highly specialized medicine. Numerous certifications less depending on whether the doctor is validated in various fields. by the insurance (i.e. some policies do not cover alternative therapies). 2. Hirslanden Klinik St-Anna Sankt-Anna-Strasse 32, 6006 Luzern T (+41) 041 208 32 32

The LUKS (0900 11 14 14) has an Emergency department.

The Canton of Zug offers one hospital and several clinics with specialization:

1. ZGKS, Zuger Kantonsspital. The main hospital in Zug is made of surgical, medical, gynaecological and casualty departments as well as providing anaesthestist/ intensive care and diagnostic radiology

2. Hirslanden AndreasKlinik Cham Zug Rigistrasse 1, 6330 Cham T (+41) 041 784 07 84

The ZGKS (0900 008 008) has an Emergency department.

For more information www.zg.ch/international/ english/individuals/health-care/hospitals-and- clinics-1

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9. Education

9.2. The Private School System There are a variety of international schools in English, German or bilingual German/English.

Schooling is expensive and for most schools there is a waiting-list. So as soon as you know which school you want your children to attend, submit your application without delay. 9.1. Swiss education system – Public schools International School of Zug and Luzern www.iszl.ch All of Switzerland’s schools, both public and Language : English international, have a very good reputation, and most Swiss children attend their local public school. Institut Montana Zugerberg Education is one of Switzerland’s major strengths www.montana-zug.ch and is the country’s main asset to uphold its position Bilingual : German/English in the top league of the scientific and economic world. International School of Central Switzerland The public www.isocs.ch school system varies in each canton. Children must Language : English attend the local school depending on where they live. Schooling is free of charge as it is included in SIS Swiss International School your individual taxes. www.swissinternationalschool.ch Bilingual : German/English Children must be 4 years old by July 31st of the ongoing year to start school. The primary Four Forest School level consists of 8 years. Then children go to the www.four-forestschool.ch secondary school for 3 years. After completing their Bilingual : German/English compulsory education, teenagers have the choice between doing an apprenticeship or continuing 9.2.1. Additional Information their education in order to get further degrees such as: Swiss Maturity, Commercial Maturity, etc. Swiss Federation of Private Schools 1, Hotelgasse - 3000 Bern Depending of the canton, teaching language is Tel : (+41) 031 328 40 50 German, French or Italian. The second language info@swiss-schools.ch would be one of the two remaining official www.swiss-schools.ch languages of Switzerland. In recent years, however schools have started to introduce English as second language. As each canton is independent, teaching 9.3. Day Nursery – Baby-Sitting service languages car vary from a canton to another. Day care for early childhood is a challenge in Children go to school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Switzerland. Thursdays and Fridays and also on Wednesdays mornings. There are several kindergartens in the various neighborhoods of Lucerne and Zug but waiting list Many schools do offer lunch facilities but not all of can be quite long. All enrolments are managed by them. commune within each canton. Cost varies according to the income and one cannot choose the location More information can be found on: www.educa.ch of the kindergarten.

For the list of child care centers per canton: www.edk.ch/dyn/11589.php

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10. Banking

10.1. Swiss currency 10.3. Bank listing The Swiss currency is divided in francs and centimes. The two major Swiss banks are:

Bank notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1’000 Swiss Francs. • UBS – United Bank of Switzerland Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes & 1, 2, 5 francs More information on www.ubs.ch Click on UBS locations to find out the closest Normal bank opening hours are from between 08:00 office to you. or 08:30 and 16:30 or 17:00 Monday to Friday. If you • CS – Credit Suisse Bank need cash, you can use your bank card to withdraw More information on www.credit-suisse.ch money from an automatic cash machine at any time, Click on Where to find us to find out the closest day or night, including outside of bank opening office to you. times. But you may prefer to find a smaller regional, cantonal, private or foreign bank. 10.2. Opening a bank account The cantonal bank in Lucerne is called Luzerner One of the first things you need to do when arriving Kantonalbank. www.lukb.ch in Switzerland is to open a salary or personal bank account. The account may be opened in your name The cantonal bank in Zug is called Zuger or as a joint account with your partner. Your salary Kantonalbank. www.zugerkb.ch will be paid directly into your bank account. We advise you to check with your employer, before Others: Raiffeisen www.raiffeisen.ch, opening your account, whether the company has a Migros bank www.migrosbank.ch special agreement with a particular bank.

You can also open a savings account which generates higher interest rates than a salary account.

Bank account can only be opened once you have a legal address and this must be done in person. You need to bring your passport and residence permit or residence attestation delivered by the local Authorities. A few days after submitting your application, you will receive a bank card which can be used only in the bank where you have opened your account.

The Maestro will allow you to make the payments at supermarkets, shops, restaurants, hairdressers, fuel stations, and any other service-provider equipped with cash points and which bear an Maestro sticker on their window. Please note that Maestro is a debit card, not a credit card.

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10.4. Payment orders 10.5. E-banking Standing orders can be set up with your bank in In Switzerland, E-banking is a common way to order to pay regular bills, on the date of your choice manage your bank account. It allows you to find (i.e. monthly rent of your accommodation). Payment out quickly the balance of your accounts, securities orders can also be made by enclosing pre-printed positions in your custody account and obtain a giro payment forms and the total amount, with consolidated overview of your assets (on request). your instructions to the bank. You can also pay bills You can also look up the details of pending or electronically since all Swiss banks have e-banking executed account credits or debits at any time. systems.

What is a QR-bill? 1. + 2. The QR-bill is divided into two parts, a receipt and the payment section . It always contains readable details about the beneficiary, to which additional information can be added.

3. The QR-code contains all the information necessary for payment.

4. The QR-IBAN is the collection account number which replaces the old account number, known as BVR member number in the format 01-xxxxxx-x . Please note, if you have a standing order whose account number changes to a QR- IBAN, do not forget to modify it.

5. The reference of the QR-bill is to be reported on your payment order in the event of manual entry, as with the old ESRs.

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11. Postal Services

The Swiss Postal Service is La Poste in French.

La Poste offices offer two services (postal services and payments), both available at all counters. However, make sure you stand in the relevant queue to save yourself the frustration of waiting for nothing. 11.1. Import: Custom/VAT Banking and financial transactions In principle, every item sent from abroad is subject At the Versements counter: to customs duties and VAT and must be declared Pay bills with a Einzahlungsschein (orange, blue to Swiss Customs for taxation. Courier or postal or pink giro payment form). This payment form consignments are declared by the carrier (i.e. DHL, has two parts; the largest part is for the recipient UPS, Swiss Post, etc.) on your behalf. Once the and the small portion is for you to keep as proof carrier has completed the customs declaration, the of payment, make sure that the clerk has stamped amount of any tax and/or duty payable are worked your receipt. out. Any charges due are billed to the recipient. Other Services Furthermore, gifts mailed from individuals living At the counter: abroad to individuals in Switzerland are duty-exempt • Send letters, packages, faxes and telegrams up to a value of CHF 100.-. Goods purchased on • Collect registered mail, packages, etc. the Internet do not satisfy these conditions and • Buy stamps and telephone tax cards are subject to duty in accordance with the general • Make telephone calls provisions. • Buy Swiss motorway obligatory sticker (Chf 40.-) • Make photocopies

You have the choice between fast (A-grade mail or Prioritaire) and regular (B-grade mail) delivery service. A-grade mail is more expensive but it takes only one working day for delivery anywhere in Switzerland and approximately two to three days in Europe. B-grade mail takes two to three working days.

If you would like to dispatch a consignment with important or valuable contents, the best solution is to send a letter with proof of delivery “Registered (R)”. It is delivered against signature only by the next working day Mondays to Fridays; also Saturdays if the address is a P.O box. If the person is away during the delivery, he is notified with a yellow paper from the post office called Abholungseinladung meaning there is a 7-day holding period at the closest post office.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday: from 08:00 to 18:00 – most small branches are closed at lunch time from 12:00 to 14:00. Saturday: from 09:00 to 11:00

More information on www.post.ch or (+41) 0848 888 888

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12. Where to shop ?

12.1. Food 12.1.1. Supermarkets 12.2. Shops’ opening hours

Supermarkets are open from Monday to Saturday. Shops are open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to In the morning they open between 8:00 and 9:00 18:30 or 19:00 except on Thursday evening where and they close around 19:00 except on Saturdays some shops are open until 21:00. On Saturday, when they close at 18:00. They are open during shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00. All shops are lunch time. Most supermarket have a late opening closed on Sunday. night on Thursday evenings – closing time is 20:00 or 21:00 12.3. Market

The two main supermarkets in Switzerland are Every day of the week, there is a market in different Migros & Coop. Where there is a Migros, a Coop place. is not far away!

• Migros – www.migros.ch – This is a Swiss supermarket chain which produces and sells its own products. Nowadays you may also find products of other brands. You can recognize a Migros as it is always signalled by an orange “M”. The more “M”, the bigger the Migros. “MMM” is the largest supermarket you can find in the area.

Migros sells mostly food (but neither alcohol nor tobacco) but they have also opened shops which sell electronic appliances, clothes, sports accessories, do-it yourself and gardening articles.

• Coop – www.coop.ch – Coop is the main competitor of Migros. The most important difference between the two is that in Coop outlets you can find different brands of products. Secondly, Coop sells alcohol, tobacco, and newspapers/magazines, which Migros doesn’t. Coop offers its own small product range but most of the products on sale are from big brands such as Kellogg’s, Findus, etc.

Shops are closed on Sunday, but you will find small local grocery stores that remain open for a few hours on Sunday.

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13. waste and recycling

13.1. Waste Disposal and 13.1.2 Green recycling bins Recycling System Every home should be equipped with a green/ Switzerland is very conscientious when it comes compost bin where all edible peelings, grass, and to the environment, and every village has its own any other garden disposals can be disposed. The bin waste disposal and recycling systems which are set is usually emptied once a week. out on posters you can get from your local town hall or which can be downloaded at the bottom of 13.1.3. Recycling Centre this page. All waste which is disposed of in public rubbish bins has to be deposited either in special Swiss people are recyclers! There are multiple waste bags or bags with stickers on, both of which recycling centre around Central Switzerland where are specific to each canton you can bring your recycling, which must be separated into paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, etc 13.1.1. Chargeable rubbish bags Here is a website mapping all recycling centres Each canton has its very own rubbish bags that is across Switzerland : www.recycling-map.ch mandatory to be used and purchased within the canton of living. The purchase price of these bags 13.1.4. Recycling and waste disposal plan includes a charge that covers the waste disposal costs. You can buy your official rubbish bags at The waste disposal poster is called “Abfallplan” the supermarket (Migros, Coop, etc) or at the Post and can be obtained at your local municipal Office. The bags must be requested directly at the (“Gemeinde”) office. It shows all the various cashier as they are not sold on shelves. The bags timetables for refuse collection and the various comes in different format (17l, 25l, 60l, 110l). These recycling operations. Most areas have regular bags are then to be thrown into the large communal collections of paper and cardboard. These should containers near homes or collected in the street on be stacked neatly into bundles and tied with string a designated day. One 35 litre bag costs CHF 2.90, like a parcel. so be sure to fill it completely before putting it out. 13.1.5. Electrical appliances

Televisions, computers, mobiles, etc should be returned to an electrical provider or to any shop selling new appliances. Retailers are obliged to take these appliances back free of charge. Alternatively they could be brought to a waste collection centre.

Zeba Gebührensack

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14. Women’s interests

Once a move is complete, and the children are International Women’s Club Lucerne settled in school, it is time to build up a social www.iwcl.net network. Zug International Women’s Club As an international city, Geneva provides excellent www.ziwc.ch means to achieve this through the many women’s and international organizations. International Mums and Kids Club www.imkc.ch

International Men’s Club of Zug www.imcz.ch

American Women’s Club of Zürich www.awczurich.org

American Club Zürich www.acz.ch

Zürich International Women’s Association www.ziwa.com

Professional Women’s Group of Zürich www.professionalwomensgroup.com

©livingingeneva.wordpress.com

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15. Domestic Animals

15.1 Import regulations Countries of origin and rabies risks General information Dogs, cats and ferrets may in principle be imported as “pets” from any third country. Requirements for Dogs, cats and ferrets are deemed to be pets if a rabies vaccinations, laboratory tests and waiting total of not more than 5 animals are imported from periods vary depending on the risk of dogs, cats or third countries and they ferrets becoming infected with urban rabies in the - are kept in the household out of interest in the country of origin. animals or as household companions; - accompany their owners (or another person on On www.blv.admin.ch and http://www.pettravel. behalf of the owner); com/immigration/Switzerland.cfm more information - are not intended to be to be sold or transferred can be found on the general import rules. Please be to another owner. More specific information about aware difference is made between EU countries and importing your cats, dogs or ferret can be found at ‘third countries’. http://blv.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx?lang=en Import documents - Veterinary certificate, An animal health permit is required for importing confirmation, pet ID dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries if they are entering Switzerland via a Swiss airport from a A veterinary certificate is needed to enter “rabies risk country”. Switzerland from third countries accompanied by This requirement for a permit does not apply to dogs, cats or ferrets as pets. This must be issued by animals entering Switzerland in transit through the the official veterinarian responsible in the country of EU by road or rail. The animals are controlled when origin. A sample certificate can be found at www.blv. they enter the EU according to EU regulations. The admin.ch > Bringing pets to Switzerland > Dogs, Swiss border customs authorities make spot-check cats, ferrets from third countries. controls occasionally. With a few exceptions, it is forbidden to import and Dogs and cats aged less than 3-month old not re-import dogs with docked ears and/or a cropped accompanied by their mother from countries at low tail. risk for rabies must in addition be brought in with a veterinary confirmation; ask your veterinarian for Identification more information. No pups aged less than 3-month old may be Dogs, cats and ferrets must be correctly identified imported from rabies risk countries. There is also with a microchip. The microchip must comply with no exemption permit as there is with imports from ISO Standard 11784 and must be readable by the EU. a reading device compatible with ISO Standard For the re-importing of Swiss animals, the Swiss pet 11785. Therefore, make sure your animal is fitted passport is sufficient if all import regulations are met with a so-called “Euro-chip”, which only contains and entered in this passport. digits as identification code and no asterisks (*). AMICUS www.amicus.ch/Account/Login is the If a dog is definitively imported into Switzerland, national database for dogs. it must be taken to a veterinarian within the first 10 days of entering the country: all dogs kept in Rex Transport www.avihandling.com can assist you Switzerland must be registered in a database by a when travelling with pets (or when pets travel by veterinarian. themselves).

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16. Good to know

GTK tips - cf Annexe table 5 and further

17. CONTACT

Should you need any further specific information, please do not hesitate in contacting Welcome Service info@welcome-service.ch

Rue Zurlinden 6 Rue de Bourg 20 CH -1207 Geneva CH -1003 Lausanne T  +41  22  707  61 50 T  +41  21  353 61 50

GENEVA - LAUSANNE - ZÜRICH - SWITZERLAND

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annexe

TABLE 1 - LOCAL MIGRATION OFFICES

LUCERNE ZUG SCHWYZ NIDWALDEN

Amt für Migration Amt für Migration Amt für Migration Amt für Justiz Fruttstrasse 15 Aabachstrasse 1 Steistegstrasse 13 Kreuzstrasse 2 6002 Luzern Postfach 857 Postfach 454 Postfach 1242 Tel: (+41) 041 228 77 80 6301 Zug 6431 Schwyz 6371 Stans Opening hours : Tel: (+41) 041 728 50 50 Tel: (+41) 041 819 22 68 Tel: (+41) 041 618 44 90/91 Monday to Friday : 08:00 – Opening hours : Opening hours : Opening hours : 12:00 & 13:00 – 17:00 Monday : 08:00 – 11:45 & Monday to Friday : 09:00 – Monday to Friday : 08:00 – www.migration.lu.ch 14:00 – 18:00 11:45 & 14:00 – 17:00 12:00 & 14:00 – 17:00 Tuesday to Friday : 08:00 – www.sz.ch www.nw.ch 11:45 & 14:00 – 17:00 www.zg.ch

OBWALDEN URI

Amt für Migration Amt für Arbeit und (Verwaltungsgebäude) Migration St. Antonistrasse 4 Klausenstrasse 4 Postfach 1149 6460 Altdorf 6061 Sarnen Tel: (+41) 041 875 27 05 Tel: (+41) 041 666 66 70 Opening hours : Opening hours : Monday to Friday : 08:00 – Monday to Friday : 08:00 – 11:30 & 13:30 – 17:00 11:45 & 13:30 – 17:00 www.ur.ch www.ow.ch

TABLE 2 – THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY

The following tables describe the average total annual amount of kWh billed depending on the type of accommodation and the number of persons living in it. These examples do not include the electricity used for heating.

Apartment block (no electrical water heater) - kWh per year

Apartment : 60m2 75m2 90m2 120m2

No electrical stove Nor washing machine or 1100 1350 1650 2050 tumble dryer

1350 1700 2100 2650

1300 1650 2100 2700

1550 2000 2550 3300

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Apartment block with electrical water heater - kWh per year

Apartment : 60m2 75m2 90m2 120m2

No electrical stove Nor washing machine or 2100 3350 4650 6050 tumble dryer

2350 3700 5100 6700

2300 3650 5100 6700

2550 4000 5550 7300

Individual house (no electrical water heater) - kWh per year

or or

Living area : 160m2

2500 3150

2900 3750

Individual house with electrical water heater - kWh per year

or or

Living area : 160m2

4500 7150

4900 7750

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TABLE 3 – SWISS PHONE AREA CODES MAIN INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY CODES

Aigle 024 Obwald 041 Austria 0043 Japan 0081

Appenzell 071 Saint-Gall 071 Australia 0061 Netherlands 0031

Argovie 062 Schaffhouse 052 Belgium 0032 Norway 0047

Basel 061 Schwyz 041 Canada 001 Portugal 00351

Bern 031 Soleure 032 Denmark 0045 Russia 007

Biel 032 Tessin 091 Finland 00358 Spain 0034

Fribourg 026 Thun 033 France 0033 Sweden 0046

Glaris 055 Thurgovie 052 Germany 0049 UK 0044

Grison 081 Uri 055 Greece 0030 USA 001

Jura 032 Valais 027 Italy 0039

Lausanne 021 Yverdon 024

Luzern 041 Zug 041

Neuchâtel 032 Zurich 043 044 Nidwald 041

TABLE 4 - VEHICLE REGISTRATION OFFICE

LUCERNE ZUG

Strassenverkehrsamt Strassenverkehrsamt Arsenalstrasse 45 Hinterbergstrasse 41 6010 Kriens 6312 Steinhausen Tel : (+41) 041 318 11 11 Tel : (+41) 0 41 728 47 11 Open Monday to Thursday Open Monday to Thursday from 07:30 to 12:00 & 13:00 from 07:30 to 11:45 & 13:00 to 16:30 to 16:30 Open Friday from 07:30 www.zg.ch/behoerden/ to 16:30 sicherheitsdirektion/ www.strassenverkehrsamt. strassenverkehrsamt lu.ch

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TABLE 5 AND FURTHER – USEFUL GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS SIZE CONVERTER

WOMEN’S CLOTHES

Continental 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52

UK 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

USA 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

MEN’S SHIRTS

Continental 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 46

UK / USA 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 -

MEN’S UNDERWEAR

Continental 5 6 7 8 9 10

UK 34 36 38 40 42 44

USA S M L XL 14 16 WOMEN’S SHOES

Continental 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

UK 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

USA 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 MEN’S SHOES

Continental 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

UK 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

USA 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 CHILDREN’S CLOTHES

Continental 92 104 116 128 140 152

UK 16/18 20/22 24/26 28/30 32/34 36/38

USA 2 4 6 8 10 12 CHILDREN’S SHOES

Continental 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

UK / USA 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13

Continental 33 34 35 36 37 38

UK / USA 1 2 2 3 4 5

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TEMPERATURE LENGTH

° Celsius °Fahrenheit UK / USA Metric Metric UK / USA freezing point of water 0 32 1 inch 2.54 cm 1 cm 0.39 in

5 41 1 foot 30.48 cm 1m 3ft 3.25 in Conversion: 10 50 1 yard 91.44 cm 1 km 0.62 mi * Celsius to Fahrenheit: 15 59 multiply by 9, divide by 1 mile 1.6 km 8 km 5 mi 5 and add 32. 20 68 CAPACITY * Fahrenheit to Celsius: 25 77 subtract 32, multiply by Imperial Metric Metric Imperial 5 and divide by 9. 30 86 1.75 UK 1 UK pint 0.57 litre 1 litre pints 35 95 boiling point of water 2.13 US 1 US pint 0.47 litre 1 litre 40 104 pints

50 122 0.22 UK 1 UK gallon 4.54 litre 1 litre gallon 100 212 0.26 US 1 US gallon 3.78 litre 1 litre gallon

WEIGHT

Imperial Metric Metric Imperial

1 oz 28.35 g 1g 0.035oz

1 lb 454 g 100 g 3.5oz

1 cwt 50. 8kg 250 g 9oz

1 ton 1.016 kg 500 g 18oz

2.205 lb 1 tonne 1 kg 2.2lb

PUBLIC BANK HOLIDAYS

Each canton can have additional or fewer public holidays. Please check with your HR department or school office

New Year January 1 Whit Monday May

St. Berchtold’s Day January 2 Swiss National Day August 1

Good Friday March/April Immaculate Conception December 8

Easter Monday March/April Christmas Day December 25

Labour Day / May May 1 St. Stephens Day December 26 Ascencion Day May

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EMERGENCY & USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Police 117

Fire Brigade 118

Ambulance & Cardiomobile 144

Road assistance 140

European emergency number 112

Rega – Helicopter rescue 1414

USEFUL WEBSITES

General information about Switzerland www.myswitzerland.com www.swissworld.org

General information about the canton www.lu.ch www.zg.ch www.nw.ch www.ow.ch www.sz.ch www.ur.ch

Swiss telephone directories www.local.ch www.zip.ch

National & International news www.swissnews.ch www.swissinfo.org www.edicom.ch

Information for English-speakers living in Switzerland www.xpatxchange.ch www.internations.org www.expatica.ch

Currency converter www.xe.net

Swiss search engines in English www.swissguide.ch www.search.ch

Children www.livinginluzern.swiss www.lucerne4you.ch www.zug4you.ch

Weather forecast www.meteosuisse.ch

Itinerary & Maps www.mappy.ch www.maps.google.fr

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Rue Zurlinden 6 Rue de Bourg 20 CH -1207 Geneva CH -1003 Lausanne T  +41  22  707  61 50 T  +41  21  353 61 50

GENEVA - LAUSANNE - ZÜRICH - SWITZERLAND

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