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Brits in Zurich

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Zurich as a Brit, and how it fits with your UK tax, pension, money and paperwork.

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ExpatCuppa Switzerland | Brits in Switzerland

Free group for Brits in Switzerland: questions, tips, meetups, Sunday roasts and the footie.

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Official Britain

British Embassy Berne

The UK's embassy in Switzerland, serving Zurich (no British consulate or trade office in Zurich is listed by gov.uk): passports, consular help and emergencies

Thunstrasse 50, 3005 Berne, Switzerland

Website · Map

Votes for lifeVote from ZurichLiving abroad doesn't cost you your vote. Register as an overseas elector, choose a proxy or postal vote, and renew every three years.
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Zurich Partners

Katharina Bergauer, innsicht

Global partner · online

The inner move

A move abroad changes more than your postcode. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Katharina Bergauer

Eintragungsnummer: 17784

Book a first conversation

Global partner · online

Learn the language

Get to grips with the language where you live, keep the kids' English sharp or prep for an exam. Live online lessons with qualified teachers since 1991: English and the main world languages, 1:1 or in small groups, for adults, kids and household staff.

Cambridge School of English Online

Cambridge School of English sp. z o.o.Warsaw, Poland · online since 1991

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Your business here: partner in Zurich

Are you a highly recommended business for Brits in Zurich? One partner per category, so there's no competitor next to you.

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Partners pay to be featured. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Zurich

Basics

Cost of living in Zurich: what Brits really pay compared with London

Zurich is famously pricey, but the gap with London isn't the same everywhere. Here's how rent, health insurance, groceries, transport and eating out compare, in francs and pounds.

Basics

Registering with the Gemeinde and Swiss house rules: bin bags, laundry rotas and quiet Sundays

In Zurich you register within 14 days, pay for every bin bag and never drop bottles on a Sunday. Here's the admin and the unwritten rules, so your neighbours stay friendly.

Basics

Learning German in Zurich: why it's worth it, even if work is in English

Zurich offices run happily in English. The Gemeinde, the landlord and the playground don't. Here's why German pays off, what the canton requires and how to learn it.

Money and work

Swiss taxes for Brits: leaving HMRC behind, the UK–Swiss treaty and your State Pension

Switzerland taxes you on your worldwide income once you live here, but HMRC doesn't let go by itself. Here's how the two systems fit, from the P85 to your State Pension.

Money and work

Banking in Switzerland as a Brit: opening an account, keeping your UK one and moving money

Swiss banks are happy to take your salary, but they want paperwork first. Here's how Brits in Zurich open an account, keep the UK one going and move money between the two.

Money and work

Pillar 2 and Pillar 3a: how Swiss pensions work for Brits, and where your UK pensions fit

Your Swiss payslip funds three pensions at once. Here's how the AHV, your pension fund and Pillar 3a work, what happens when you leave, and how they sit next to your UK pots.

Money and work

Swiss tax for Brits: tax at source, Zurich's rates and the lump-sum deal that Zurich scrapped

Most Brits in Zurich meet the Swiss taxman on their payslip. How tax at source works, when you must file a full return, how Zurich's rates stack up, and why lump-sum tax isn't on offer.

Home

Renting in Zurich: how Brits find a flat in a city with almost none empty

Zurich has barely any empty flats, so renting here is a contest. Here's where Brits live, what landlords want to see, your rights on deposits and rent, and the scams to dodge.

Home

Buying property in Switzerland: what Lex Koller lets Brits buy, and what it costs

Since Brexit, which Swiss property a Brit can buy depends on your permit and when you arrived. Here's what Lex Koller allows, how Swiss mortgages work and what buying in Zurich costs.

Home

Geneva as the alternative to Zurich: French, frontaliers and a different tax bill

Geneva swaps German for French, banking for diplomacy, and offers the option of living in France. Here's how it stacks up against Zurich on rent, tax and permits.

Moving and visas

Moving to Zurich as a Brit: the residence routes that actually work

Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU, and since Brexit Brits are third-country nationals there. Here are the routes that really get you to Zurich, and the first jobs once you land.

Moving and visas

Swiss permits for Brits: L, B and C permits, the UK quota and the fast track to a C

Brits lost free movement in Switzerland in 2021, but kept a few perks: their own quota and, in Zurich, a C permit after five years. Here's how the permits work.

Moving and visas

Swiss citizenship for Brits: ten years, three tiers of government and a test on your Gemeinde

Becoming Swiss takes ten years, a C permit, decent German and the blessing of your commune, canton and Bern. The good news: you keep your British passport.

Health

Healthcare in Zurich: compulsory insurance, the S1 and finding a doctor who speaks English

There's no NHS in Switzerland: every resident buys their own health insurance within three months. Here's how British newcomers in Zurich get covered and find a doctor.

Health

Swiss health insurance for Brits in Zurich: basic cover, the franchise and the 30 November deadline

Swiss health insurance is compulsory, personal and pricey. Here's how the franchise works, what Zurich premiums cost in 2027, how to switch and who gets help with the bill.

Schools and study

Schools in Zurich: British-curriculum and international schools, fees and the route to UK universities

A levels in Oerlikon, the IB in Zumikon, or free local schools in German: here's how British families in Zurich choose a school, what it costs and what it means for UK uni.

Schools and study

Swiss state schools vs international schools in Zurich: German support, the Gymi and the fees

Zurich's free local schools are good enough that many Swiss never consider anything else. Here's how they work for British children, the Gymi exam, and when paying makes sense.

Getting around

Driving in Switzerland with a UK licence, and getting around Zurich without a car

Your UK licence works in Switzerland for 12 months after you move, then it must be swapped. Here's how, plus the tram passes and rail cards that mean many Brits never bother.

Community

British life in Zurich: poppies, pints and finding your people

Zurich's British crowd is small but well organised: an English church, a residents' association, a cricket club, a rugby club and pubs that open for the footie.

Going out

British food in Zurich: a Sunday roast, a proper cuppa and where to find the Marmite

Zurich does a decent Sunday roast, a posh afternoon tea and a proper pub for the footie, if you know where to look. Here's where to go and how to get the Marmite delivered.

Going out

Nightlife in Zurich: where Brits go out after the banks close

Zurich has a reputation for early nights, but its clubs run until breakfast at weekends. Here's where to go, what a round costs, how to get home and how to stay safe.

Compare propertyBuy in Zurich or back in the UK?Mortgages, stamp duty, buying costs and capital gains side by side.
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Britain in Zurich

Free listings we choose and check: the British mission, clubs, party groups, sport, schools, pubs, shops and churches. Every entry checked on its own or an official 2025–2026 page (2026-11); listings are not paid. Tell us on WhatsApp if something has changed.

Official Britain

British Embassy Berne

The UK's embassy in Switzerland, serving Zurich (no British consulate or trade office in Zurich is listed by gov.uk): passports, consular help and emergencies

Thunstrasse 50, 3005 Berne, Switzerland

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Business and networking

British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce

Bilateral business chamber founded in 1920, with its central office in Zurich: networking events and regional chapters

Rieterstrasse 6, 8002 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 422 31 31 · info@bscc.co.uk · Facebook · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Clubs and associations

British Residents' Association of Switzerland

Non-profit association founded in 1946 for British, Commonwealth and Irish residents: social and cultural events through regional groups

Website · Map

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side, in alphabetical order. We don't favour any party.

Conservatives Abroad – Zürich

Zürich branch of the Conservative Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Zürich

Website

Labour International – Germany and Switzerland branch

Germany and Switzerland branch of the Labour Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Germany and Switzerland

Website

Lib Dems in Europe

European branch of the Liberal Democrats' organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Europe outside France, including Switzerland

Website

Sport

Grasshopper Club Zürich Rugby

Rugby section of Switzerland's largest multi-sport club, with men's and women's XVs, sevens, an academy and Golden Oldies; training at Allmend Brunau

Website · Map · info@gc-rugby.ch · Facebook · Instagram

Zurich Crickets Cricket Club

Volunteer-run cricket club founded in 2004 with senior and junior teams; summer grounds at Embrach and Winterthur, winter nets in Zurich

Website · Map

Schools and universities

School

Academia International School Zurich

Secondary campus in Oerlikon, Year 7 upwards: lower secondary, then IGCSE and A levels (primary years at the Küsnacht campus)

Binzmühlestrasse 15, 8050 Zurich

Website · Map · +41 58 440 90 20 · Facebook · Instagram

School

Tandem International Multilingual School

Bilingual English–German nursery, kindergarten and primary (plus Gymnasium in Küsnacht), combining the UK National Curriculum with Zurich's Lehrplan 21

Seefeldstrasse 111, 8008 Zurich

Website · Map · +41 43 500 10 30 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

International School Zurich North

Day school in Wallisellen teaching a British National Curriculum-based primary programme, IGCSEs and Cambridge International A Levels

Wallisellen, near Zurich

Website · Map · +41 44 830 70 00 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

Hull's School

Independent sixth-form-style college near the Opera House preparing students in UK Years 10 to 13 for IGCSE and A Level exams

Falkenstrasse 28a, 8008 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 254 30 40

Preschool

Children First

Ages 2–8; bilingual English/German preschool and primary in Zürich blending British and Montessori approaches, open 7am–7pm

Forchstrasse 4, 8008 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 252 91 21 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

British Council

British Council Switzerland

Online English courses, IELTS and Aptis, and UK study advice; no Zurich office, with computer-based IELTS at nearby Winterthur and other Swiss centres

Website · Map · Facebook · X

British Council

Swiss Exams (IELTS partner of the British Council)

The British Council's official IELTS partner in Switzerland, with tests in Zurich; also runs Cambridge English exams

Giessereistrasse 18, 8005 Zurich

Website · Map · +41 52 209 04 50 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

Pubs and restaurants

Our guide to British food, shops and pubs in Zurich

Pub

The Lion Pub

British pub near Bahnhofstrasse showing Premier League, Champions League and Autumn Nations rugby; fish 'n' chips and steak and ale pie

Oetenbachgasse, 8001 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 43 888 66 66 · info@thelion.ch · Facebook

Pub

Nelson Pub

British-style pub a minute from the main station with an English-imported interior, Premier League on the big screen and fish 'n' chips

Beatengasse 11, 8001 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 212 60 16

Pub

Paddy Reilly's Irish Pub

Irish pub with screens and projectors for live sport

Talstrasse 82, 8001 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 43 497 39 66 · infozuerich@irish-pub.ch · Facebook · Instagram

Pub

Kennedy's Irish Pub

Irish pub for sport and games; Beef & Guinness pie, kitchen open daily

Freischützgasse 14, 8004 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 241 92 94 · Facebook · Instagram

Afternoon tea

Baur au Lac, Le Hall

Afternoon tea in the hotel lobby bar: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam

Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich

Website · Map · +41 44 220 50 20 · info@bauraulac.ch

Shops

British Cheese Deli

Stall in the Im Viadukt market hall selling British cheeses, chutneys, crackers, scones and clotted cream; sister shop of Jim's British Market

Markthalle Im Viadukt, Zürich

Website · Map

Britshop

Online importer of British food, drink and toiletries with next-day delivery across Switzerland

D4 Park 8, 6039 Root-Längenbold

Website · Map · +41 79 289 65 22 · Facebook

Churches

St Andrew's Anglican Church Zurich

Church of England chaplaincy in the Diocese in Europe; Sunday Holy Communion at 9.00 and 10.30, plus services in Baden, St Gallen and Zug

Promenadengasse 9, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland

Website · Map · +41 44 252 6024 · Facebook · YouTube

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