British Expats in Zurich - Pros, Cons, & Frequently Asked Questions

Get tips, join events & make friends in Zurich

Are you a British citizen in Zurich or thinking about living here? When moving abroad, you’re bound to feel homesick and may need to connect with other Brits who know what it’s like.

Whether you’re craving authentic fish and chips, are looking for some buddies to watch football or rugby with, or need advice about living in Zurich — our community for British expats has got you covered!

An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Why you'll love InterNations in Zurich

51,998

members in Zurich

2,804

British members

monthly events

3,103

interest-based groups

and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!

The pros & cons of living in Zurich

No place is perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Discover what our British members love about life abroad but also the challenges they face in Zurich.

Pros of living in Zurich

Healthcare: The quality of healthcare in Zurich gets high marks. In fact, the hospitals in Switzerland regularly rank among the best in Europe.

Public transport: Zurich offers efficient public transport. It has a great train system that is well connected and almost always on time.

Safety: Zurich is one of the safest cities in the world. Petty crime is very low and major crimes are a rare occurrence. Walking the streets alone at any time is not an issue.

Cleanliness: Zurich is an extremely clean city. The city employs a team of cleaners but citizens can (and do!) organize their own clean-up days, too.

Language: English is widely spoken though it is not an official language of Switzerland. It is common in the business sector, making it easier to find a job here than in most other European countries.

Cons of living in Zurich

Cost of living: Zurich is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. The prices of groceries, rent, and other expenses take some adjusting.

Bureaucracy: Swiss bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, especially when it comes to work and residence permits.

Work–life balance: The Swiss have a strong work ethic, and typical work hours in Switzerland can be long. So, if you’re looking for a change in pace from the UK, this could be difficult.

Opinion

My favorite things about life in Zurich? I can be financially independent and safe as a woman. (British member in Zurich)

Opinion

Frequent questions about expat life in Zurich

Where do Brits live in Zurich?

Most internationals enjoy residing along Lake Zurich, attracted by the availability of popular international schools on either side of the lake. Additionally, stores, restaurants, and other facilities in this area are used to catering to English-speaking customers, as most residents are expats.

However, living there can be quite costly. Many people only move to this area if their housing is provided by their employer or if they do not require much space and can manage with a smaller house or apartment.

Popular suburbs and nearby villages on the Gold Coast of Lake Zurich include:

Zollikon
Küsnacht
Erlenbach
Meilen

And on the Silver Coast:

Kilchberg
Thalwil
Rüschlikon
Horgen

How much should I earn to live in Zurich?

For a single person to live comfortably in Zurich, you would need about 3,500 CHF net income per month. For a family of four, you’d need about 9,000 CHF.

Let’s break down the average monthly costs of living in Zurich:

	CHF	GBP (approx.)
Rent for a studio apartment	2,100	1,950
Rent for a small family home	3,400	3,200
Utilities (power, water, etc.)	225	210
Mobile phone & internet	30	28
Basic health insurance	400	380
Public transport	100	95
Groceries (per person & week)	70	65
Meal at a restaurant	25	24

Will I be able to survive in Zurich without speaking German?

Zurich is a very international city, so it’s not too hard to get around with no to very limited local language skills. Still, this will feel limiting soon, especially regarding local social contacts and activities.

So ideally, you treat your time in Zurich as an opportunity to learn some German. There are many language schools or even apps to get you started.

The most challenging moments usually occur when you have official paperwork to do, are looking for a flat, need to see a doctor, etc.

To make your time in Zurich a bit easier, we have collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):

Doctena — Find a doctor that speaks your language and book your appointment with just a few clicks

Universitäts Spital Zürich — University hospital providing urgent care in English

Immigration-Lawyer.ch — English-speaking immigration lawyer to assist you with your needs

Aconta — Tax expert for expats in Zurich

DayInterpreting — Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you

Opinion

Zurich is very safe, secure, and clean. The salaries are high, as is the standard of living and healthcare. (British member in Zurich)

Opinion

Meet British expats at our events in Zurich

Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. Luckily, at our events everyone is from somewhere else and it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey.

You’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time and get first-hand information about your new home. So check our upcoming events and become part of Zurich’s large expat family.

Especially the Newcomers’ Events are a great way to find your feet in the city. Our event hosts, called Ambassadors, will greet you with open arms and introduce you to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in Zurich.

Opinion

Thanks to InterNations events, I’ve found new people and even a new job. (British member in Zurich)

Opinion

Melchsee Frutt Bonistock Ridge Trail

14. June 2026, 10:20

20 attendees

This ridge trail at (...) Protected content (...) Cost: Cable car: Fr 19.50 return ticket with SBB ½ tax Dogs: Fr 5 What to bring: Lunch, water hiking shoes, hiking sticks Sun cream

Ultimate Frisbee

17. June 2026, 18:00

1 attendees

Come play Ultimate Frisbee. Even if you have never played before, all are welcome, from beginner to expert. We play next to Lake Zurich, so can go for a swim and a drink after, weather permitting. If you are not sure what Ultimate Frisbee is, here is more info - (...) Protected content (...)

Cleaning Up Züri Followed by Drinks

17. June 2026, 18:30

2 attendees

Join is for a sociable clean-up in the (...) Protected content (...)

InterNations Zurich Official Event @ Icon Club

20. June 2026, 21:30

68 attendees

I am very happy to invite you to our next official event at the Icon Club, Let's get together to enjoy another evening with friends, dance, and create some long-lasting memories. Why join us: Our main goal on InterNations is to bring all globally minded people together and make a safe and trustwort

Want to meet other Brits at our events?

Our Global Partners

Find friends to pursue your passions with

Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Zurich?

There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to running. These are managed by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as eating out at Zurich’s finest restaurants with the DinnerNations Group or visiting a comedy show with the Theater Group.

You’d like to be more active? Then you can look forward to outings into the nearby mountains with the Zurich Hiking Group, discover ultimate frisbee, or join the Sports Group.

There’s something for everyone!