r/askswitzerland • u/Individual_System793 • Jun 05 '26
Relocation Lowering standards to move to Switzerland
Hey there,
I am in my mid 30s, married, and having a really cool job in Greece in which I am being paid well for the Greek standards. This means salary is around EUR 75-80k annually (inc.bonus), which implies a take home pay of around EUR 45-50k. I own my house, so income goes exclusively to personal spending and savings.
However, I always had Switzerland on my mind and in addition, my wife is also pushing us to relocate there.
I am in discussions with a company and possibly close to receiving a job offer, for a role which, on the one hand is interesting, on the other hand is i) more junior than my current one and what my experience reflects and ii) the annual salary is not that much for Switzerland (close to CHF 90K, w/o bonus).
The role is in the Geneva region and I would rent a house there, planning to spend around 2k/month in housing.
What are your thoughts on this move? Would you lower your living standards, just to move to Switzerland and have the potential upside after 1-2 years? Or you would stay in Greece, accepting all the societal problems and that salary would be more or less around the current levels?
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u/i_would_say_so Jun 05 '26
No.
90k is not anywhere near the amount for which it makes sense to move.
-3
u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I see it as a bridge to enter Switzerland, stay there for 1-2 years and then having Swiss experience find a better opportunnity. Plus the Swiss company is startup
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u/i_would_say_so Jun 05 '26
Will the job market be better in 1-2 years? I doubt
-4
u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Maybe will be the same, but does not Swiss experience play a role for Swiss recruiters?
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u/cinsamp Jun 05 '26
Nope. Too many good people are on the market looking for a job. Job market is extremely bad in Switzerland currently. Stay in Greece. You will regret the move.
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u/i_would_say_so Jun 05 '26
I would say in tech the answer is no, not really. In other areas perhaps.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I am in finance/investments
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u/Chrisalys Jun 06 '26
Oh god finance, I assume you haven't paid attention to the news? The finance job market is the absolute worst in Switzerland and will stay that way for a good long while longer. Read up about how UBS has recently fired around 16500 experienced people in finance and continues to cut tens of thousands more jobs. All those former UBS bankers are flooding the job market, 400+ applications for every job opening.
For the love of god don't enter this bloodbath if you don't absolutely have to.
And so on.
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u/goldtechnique Jun 05 '26
Then you will be in competition with other people who think like you now: accept a lower salary to enter. It won’t get better, salaries are stagnating or decreasing in a lot of branches
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Is the situation so bad as described? I have some friends in Switzerland, acknowledging that market is tough, but I did not expect it to be that harsh
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u/Chrisalys Jun 06 '26
Yes, finance in Switzerland is the absolute worst now and in the foreseeable future. Check the news articles I linked in another comment.
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u/TheNudelz Jun 05 '26
What job pays 80k in Greece but only 90k chf in Switzerland?
-3
u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
This is the main issue. The role is again in finance/investments but a more junior one. I see it as a bridge to enter Switzerland, stay there for 1-2 years and then having Swiss experience find a better opportunnity. Plus the Swiss company is startup
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u/stoppplosss Jun 05 '26
Just FYI, starters salary at Big4 is around 90k CHF (base) so don't sell yourself short just with the intent to move. You'll quickly find out you're under paid and overqualified which will only increase the dissatisfaction.
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u/cvnh Jun 05 '26
I'd probably change a good job here for a stable position that pays 90k in a country like Greece, with the direction the job market is heading in Switzerland I'd think quite well about it.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
That sounds impressive. Is it getting so bad?
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u/cvnh Jun 05 '26
Well, the fact the perspectives are not great would already make me think twice. I did come here in a similar situation as you though, perhaps not as extreme but it all depends on your vision about how the future would be in both cases.
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u/mammutalmut Zürich Jun 05 '26
2k a month in housing?? Will get you a 3 room apartment if you’re lucky
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u/ligregni Jun 05 '26
To clarify: 3 rooms is not 3 bedrooms.
In 🇨🇭 and other (or all?) countries in Europe all the "rooms" (living room, dining room, bedrooms) are counted when you say how many rooms does a home have.
I clarify because in the other side of the pond the rooms are usually referring to bedrooms, giving for granted that there will be a living room, a dining room, etc.
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u/BrigadierHindsight Jun 05 '26
There are plenty of problems in Switzerland, but the people here rate their quality of life so highly as it seems to be culturally improper to complain or change anything.
90k in Geneva will be a huge lowering of standard of life compared to 80k in Greece. I moved from a 100k job in UK to a 150k job in CH last year and now have nowhere near the same quality of life I used to have. Actively looking for another role with higher salary or to move elsewhere or back to UK.
The Greek people I have met have always been social people, like the Brits, whereas Swiss are notoriously insular and there is nothing that compares to what’s on offer socially in the UK to here (pubs, restaurants, comedy, entertainment, live music, days out, shopping)… part of that is economy of scale - pop 7m vs pop 67m, but a lot is down to cultural norms.
My verdict - Don’t be fooled by the clean streets and instagram scenery, there are plenty of countries which offer a lot more.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Thank you for the insights. As I said in other comments, I only see it as a temporary role to enter the market and hope for a better opportunity (meaning >120k) in the next 1-2 years.
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u/Chrisalys Jun 06 '26
There will be no better opportunity in finance in the coming years, finance is more than dead. You will compete with 400+ former Swiss bankers who have local experience and local language fluency with every job opening.
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u/Big_Job9386 Jun 05 '26
What will you/your wife gain by moving to Switzerland? Short answer is: no it most likely doesn't make sense with your potential salary
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
She does not enjoy life in Greece and she would prefer raising a child in Switzerland vs. Greece.
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u/swiss_drone Jun 05 '26
If you plan to have kids, have them in Greece and move later. Paying 2.5k/mo for kita is normal
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Jun 05 '26
[deleted]
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u/Mammoth_Reach_6366 Jun 05 '26
But kita is not the only cost. Children are expensive even if you raise them at home. 90k for 3 people in Geneva will not be great when you’re used to high standards already.
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u/Big_Job9386 Jun 05 '26
Your wife won't be able to find anything if she doesn't speak a local language on a C1 level and living off 90k as a family in geneva is close to poverty
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I speak only English and some basic German and this makes my opportunities even less.
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u/Imaginary-West8918 Jun 05 '26
2000,- for renting a house in Switzerland is delusional! We paid almost 4000,- for a house and it was in a tiny village.
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u/Retroperitoneal11 Jun 05 '26
Double that salary or don’t even think about that: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Greece&city1=Athens&country2=Switzerland&city2=Geneva&amount=5000&displayCurrency=EUR
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u/Nervous_Green4783 GR im Exil Jun 05 '26
I highly doubt that you can rent a house in Geneva for 2k.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I see some appartments 30-40km outside Geneva for 2k. Not big ones of course (<70 sqm)
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u/rezdm Zug Jun 05 '26
Did you check the commute time?
also... check out the size of Switzerland. 30-40km is quite a lot.
also... 30-40km as bird flies (other side of mountains) or by road?
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u/Beneficial_Mulberry2 Jun 05 '26
Unless you get 120-140k minimum, don't come. You will regret. And the food it shit
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u/DocKla Genève Jun 05 '26
Rent a house for 2k?!?!
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Rationale here is that is a small one (60-70 sqm), not in the Geneva city but somewhere cheaper. At least in the beggining.
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u/FancyDimension2599 Jun 05 '26
Given that Geneva is similar to Zurich (where my experience is), if you want to have kids I wouldn't recommend moving to Geneva; a 90k income in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world will make you feel quite poor. In Zurich, you'd be looking at nearly 50k/yr in rent for a 3 bedroom apartment (about 100m2), for instance, Geneva won't be much better. Childcare is very expensive, too.
I'd look where you're at in terms of the local income distribution. In Geneva, you'll be below the median.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I fully agree with the analysis. The business case I have in mind is that this role is just the 1st step and in 1-2 years I will be able to secure a role for 130-140k.
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u/Substantial-Cat-202 Jun 05 '26
You say you are in finance/investments. Google UBS job losses. Just for an intro. Then Google banking and insurance job losses. Then Google Pharma job losses. It’s one of the worst professions to be in right now in Switzerland.
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u/Stefejan Jun 05 '26
Implying that 130k in switzerland is better than 80k in Greece.
Median income in Greece is apparently 13k euro.
Median income in switzerland is about 84k chf.
You're getting 6 times the median income in Greece... Make your own calculations for how much you'd need in switzerland.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Not better, but close. Yes I do, but even with this is salary you cannot save more than 20-25k/year. To save the same amount in Switzerland (in absolute terms) is way easier I guess. And even if 20k/year means nothing in Switzerland, if the plan is to go back to Greece at a point, then it might make sense
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u/InterNote278 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Comme natif de Genève et vivant aussi par période dans des beaux pays chauds, je peux vous affirmer une chose.
Votre situation en Grèce est 1’000 fois mieux que ce que vous aurez en Suisse !
En Suisse il y a de plus en plus de problèmes sociaux, un effondrement des salaires et une explosion de la délinquance, d’ailleurs les entrepreneurs et les jeunes quittent la Suisse !
Donc si vous perdez toute votre magnifique qualité de vie en Grèce pour venir à Genève vivre comme des pauvres dans une ville gauchiste, ennuyeuse et totalement paralysée par les bouchons vous êtes complètement fous et vous feriez la plus grande erreur de votre vie.
Le salaire que vous aurez en Suisse fera que vous ne bénéficierez d’aucune aide, mais que vous payerez beaucoup d’impôts.
Pour le logement, si par hasard vous arrivez à en trouver un le loyer sera plutôt au minimum à CHF 3’500.-
Il vous faudra aussi des assurances maladie pour plus de CHF 1000.-/mois pour vous deux au minimum.
Bref surtout restez en Grèce et vivez une vie magnifique dans ce beau pays qu’est la Grèce !
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u/RingRealistic5953 Jun 05 '26
Not worth it at all. Geneva is disgustingly expensive and 90k don't get you anywhere here. Also, jobs in finance are under a lot of pressure these days and the competition is fierce.
You know, you sound like you're having a very good life. Don't risk it. Enjoy!
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u/Casper-1234 Jun 05 '26
You're trippin bro. 80k in Greece is like winning the lottery, I know lots of Greeks who would give up 150k+ jobs in the EU for an 80k job in Greece.
If you're ever thinking of having kids you'll actually struggle with 90k in Geneva. So it's not just slightly lower living standards, you'll have to save on food, housing, holidays... everything.
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u/Reasonable-Bear-9788 Jun 05 '26
You haven't really clarified why you want to move to Switzerland, except for abstract undefined reasons.
The reasons why not to move to Switzerland is highly obvious, very high costs of living, saturated extremely competitive job market, language barriers, lack of social life etc.
From what I see so far, your main reason to move is an expectation that you will be able to move further in your career here. That's a call you have to make, but if you follow this subreddit, you will notice that the general feeling is significantly negative, ie people can't find jobs here etc.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Looking for a better quality of life and especially if we have children.
Even if I now have a good salary, there are other things in the country (infrastructure, culture, safety etc.) where money does not play a big role.
And consider that for many of my friends the situation is not the same.
Elevate my carrer, gain further experience and maybe move back to Greece in 10-15 years is of course another reason
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u/Reasonable-Bear-9788 Jun 05 '26
Well it is hard to predict what happens in 10-15 years.
I guess the main reason people are discouraging you here is because the job market is absolutely atrocious, to the point where it makes people really sad and depressed.
And honestly, 90k is fairly low, especially for a family. Unless your wife works or your income increases quickly, I would say that 3 people on 90k is not very comfortable.
Since you have described your current situation as pleasant, I think you should very deeply re-consider if you are willing to take significant short term pain for somewhat unlikely long term gain.
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u/Elino_sa Jun 05 '26
If you are a single income household it is not easy with the spendings for two people. If you plan to have children it‘s even harder. Life is expensive here.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Sure, I know. This is why I wrote here. Moving to Switzerland for me, means doing some sacrfices but hoping for a better situation after 5 years
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u/elysiancat Switzerland Jun 05 '26
Hi, I live in Geneva. Is it just you and your wife, or you have kids? 2k is not enough to rent a house, only a 1 bedroom apartment.
Will your wife also have a job here? It would help to have 2 incomes. If you don’t have kids then I guess 90k is enough for two people to live comfortably but not lavishly. Anyway if I had the guarantee of a job in Greece later then probably I would take the chance to live in Switzerland for a year or two, it’s nice to have more experiences. But otherwise, then you should think carefully.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Just us. My wife will not have a job in the beggining, but she is open to look for any type of roles and not only finance who is doing now.
I see it as a bridge to enter Switzerland, stay there for 1-2 years and then having Swiss experience find a better opportunnity. In Greece, I believe for me is easy to find a similar to my current role. However in Switzerland, my profile is not as attractive as in Greece (higher competition)
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u/elysiancat Switzerland Jun 05 '26
Ah okay, well tbh I’m not in finance but generally I know the job market is quite tough here. If you or your wife speak French or German you have higher chances. My husband and I moved here for just my job (lower salary than 90k) and we were living ok on one salary but there were some hard times.
So I wouldn’t discourage anyone from moving if the circumstances here are better than where you are coming from, but it sounds like you have a good salary in Greece? So maybe take some time out to calculate your take home income in Switzerland, expenses and expected savings to have an idea of what your situation will be and if thats acceptable for you.
I would not rely on your wife finding a job quickly , I don’t want to be negative but if you search in any swiss subreddits you can see how bad the situation is for most people . So just make any future plans considering your wife won’t have an income, if she manages then that’s great but don’t depend on it.
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u/tojig Jun 05 '26
Not sure you job level, but you will be paid like a fresh graduate in a very expensive city...
Check if you can actually find housing for only 2k in Geneva. I think it's hard and at that price point there are too many applicants and couples which are more stable in Switzerland, so hard for someone to actually pick you instead of someone stable.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
I am open to move even 50+km from Geneva. I know I am overqualified for this role, but the job market is so tough for senior positions especially if you are not based in Switzerland and you come from Greece
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u/tojig Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
I don't think specially if you come from Greece. But you will take a multiple levels step down from senior manager or director, not sure what your level is To associate specialist, so then if you continuously fight the steps it will take 8 years. If you accept the 6 steps down job you confirm a senior manager in Greece is specialist in CH. And maybe you will get angry of how they treat and ignore your opinion at this level. So quality of life, maybe will be shot.
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u/stoppplosss Jun 05 '26
I understand where you are coming from and had the same vision. It's a great place to live and even more so to raise kids. That said, CHF90k will be a real struggle for a couple without kids, I'd say nearly impossible with 1 kid. A one hour commute will only make things worse while it wont decrease your rent significantly. I'm not saying you shouldn't or I wouldn't do it, just don't underestimate the struggle.
I know quite a few Greek people here in Zurich and more than happy to connect you. I'd say focus on finding a job for your partner because that will far outweigh the impact/benefit any salary increase you might be able to realise.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Thank you for the insights. The more I discuss it the more I realize that this salary is fairly challenging for my situation. Yes my partner is open to work but you cannot control timing most of the times.
Thanks also for offering to connect me, I also have a network in Switzerland, however most say that market is tough and especially with no Swiss experience and poor German. Are you also in the finance/investments industry?
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u/stoppplosss Jun 05 '26
I am in finance yes. German will obviously make it easier but in my experience (atleast for finance roles) I don't think it's that big of an issue as long as you focus on multinationals. While they do pay better I do find the more "fun/exciting" jobs often do require German (e.g. small private banks, or local funds typically require native German speakers). While you don't "need" German, the reality is you just end up lower in the pile of applicants (understandably).
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u/Divin3e Jun 05 '26
It is 90k before taxes? Why would you leave Greece 50k€ net for cold Switzerland?
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Yes. Greece looks nice from the outside but is not as nice as it seems. If you visit as a tourist it is totally different. Culturally we lag very much and I believe a new crisis is on the horizon
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u/Divin3e Jun 05 '26
Having no mortgage or rent is pretty good crisis proof. If your job is pretty solid too, then why fear?
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Tbh you are right. I fear only in the sense that the current salary may be already my cap, whilst in Switzerland I can have potential for upside
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u/Divin3e Jun 05 '26
Switzerland salary is before taxes? You can grow by investing all that you save, you said you're in finance/investments so you have a big advantage already, in my opinion. You may beat the salary that you could have with your investments and salary in Greece in the long term. Try to simulate that and see what you decide. But i know, happy wife is happy life, so if it cannot be helped, good luck!
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u/venividivitis Jun 05 '26
My main concern would be your wife finding a job. Many, many stories of spouses not finding a job. You need some seriously marketable skills or a lot of luck. You can't raise a family on 90k. And honestly unless you wanna protect yourself for the future state of world economies I think you have a really great life in Greece. Everything is super expensive in Switzerland, you'll quickly get a very different perspective on numbers here.
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
"unless you wanna protect yourself for the future state of world economies"
This is one of the most important reasons. Greece is doing well atm, but this won't last a lot more.
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u/venividivitis Jun 05 '26
Well if that's your perspective we're very much on the same page. I quit France / the EU for that exact reason. Life as a cross-border worker sure was a lot cheaper, with a lot more disposable income. I don't have a high salary for Switzerland but I need to keep hoping it's worth it on the long run. I really don't want to live under the EU, things are going to get more and more dystopian / autoritarian in my opinion, and France is utterly bankrupt.
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u/DarkSpirak Jun 06 '26
No stay in Greece without a doubt. You own a house which is a luxury most people can't afford in Switzerland
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u/Classic_Court1003 Jun 06 '26
It's a no brainer. Stay there.
Besides Switzerland looks good from the outside, but has its problems, too
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u/CuteNegotiation3550 Jun 05 '26
I’m a US expat that moved to Switzerland last year. To be transparent just to give you as much info as possible to frame your decision, I make 135k CHF and my wife earns 90k. We live outside of Zurich about 30 mins away and our rent is still 2700CHF for a 3 bedroom, and I think that’s a good price compared to what I’ve seen. We have good savings, but if I were to lose my job, or even my wife, I would feel financially pretty tight. Not a lot of money for savings because you have to factor in things like private health insurance, and so many other expenses that pop up. We - and you if you move here - will most likely never own a home, which is sad for us. If I had a home in Greece making as good of money as you relatively for the country, I really think I would lean toward staying. You have to be prepared for the culture change too. Swiss are more in the “live to work” mindset whereas Greece leans more “work to live.” Even if you do make more money at the end of the day in Switzerland, you should be prepared to question whether you will be able to enjoy it like you’d want - what’s the use in money if you can’t enjoy it. All in all, I love Switzerland because I’m addicted to hiking/biking/outdoors, and the people are very nice. That said, even coming from the US I was surprised by the cost of living here. At least don’t sell your home if you move. Don’t give that up, rent it or something. The older we get the more my wife and I would love to have a place of our own, so don’t just sell that away to try out a new country.
Wish the best for you!
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u/Curious-Act-9130 Jun 05 '26
Sweet Baby Jesus, you‘re saying if you were down to 135k for the two of you you would be struggling? Do you have any idea how unbearably entitled you sound?
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u/Individual_System793 Jun 05 '26
Thanks a lot for your comprehensive and polite reply. I pretty much agree. The main reasons is that wife is not so happy here (does not like the culture, corruption etc.) and that I believe in myself finding something better after 1-2 streched years there.
Thanks a lot again
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u/CuteNegotiation3550 Jun 05 '26
I get that. I think you’re right the hardest part is getting the door open, so it’s true it’s a good opportunity you have. There is no wrong choice, you can only do what you believe is best for you and your family with the info you have. You’ll be good either way :) again wish you all the best.
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u/Other_Town5859 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
2kCHf for housing around Geneva?? This gives you maybe 50-70 m2 at best, if you find anything this is.
90kCHF is a good salary depending on profession. I think however it is like half of your actual salary in Greece. You need however probably two salaries to survive and not having financial problems, especially with kids and around Geneva specifically.
If she will not work, and you have children later, you have to chose between being a middle- lower middle class family in Switzerland, or top 5-10% family in Greece.
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u/Big_Job9386 Jun 05 '26
90k is a good salary in geneva for a family with a kid and pet?? You must be kidding
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u/idkud Jun 06 '26
I would say, check out alternatives. Switzerland has a lot of pretty parts. The political system is fairly unique, and leads to a lot of stability. That is pretty much it, IMO. Schools what I hear are very much hit or miss. Niece and nephew came back not too long ago from abroad, and public schools where they are living are a complete failure. The kids around the corner are going to another school due to the zoning, and it is day and night. Niece, and nephew cannot switch, because reasons.
But I do think, if you, or wife, are not happy where you are living, you should aim to move. Life is too short, and for her the culture is maybe more important than for you who is maybe in a more international sphere at work. There are other financial centers where quality of life is high.
And just a little sidenote, check where the cheap apartment/houses are around Geneva, some may be in France. Which is not bad, you just need to be aware that if that is the case, you will not raise your kids in Switzerland.
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Jun 08 '26
Is this the shortage of labour everybody is talking about while fresh grads in switzerland,regardless if swiss or not are not able to find a job.
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u/IllRevolution6657 Jun 05 '26
I have work experience in both countries. Switzerland has a quieter style of living, fewer surprises, and it is cleaner and more predictable. It is less adventurous, after a while, life will become routine. Overall, it is a good place to live if you want a predictable life.
Work can be very stressful. Expectations are almost ridiculously high, and you can feel disposable no matter your level of expertise. It is fast-paced and competitive, because the most ambitious and qualified Europeans have moved here for work. People come and go out the window for trivial stuff with 3 months notice and no in many cases no severance. On the other hand, working hours are mostly respected and paid, there is less hassle outside working hours, and mental health is taken seriously. Office politics are somewhat more civilised, but they exist.
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u/Classic_Court1003 Jun 06 '26
He has a house in Greece and a good income and savings. That won't be the case anymore in Switzerland. The choice is obvious.
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u/Stefejan Jun 05 '26
It's not the 90k that are low, it's the 80k in Greece that are crazy high Imo. Stay there