From our blog

Everything about Switzerland.

Read all our stories about living in Switzerland. Salary, housing, recognition, language, and everything in between.

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February in Switzerland: Carnival at 4:00

In Lucerne Fasnacht wakes the city at 5 a.m., in Basel it begins at 4 a.m. with every light in the old town turned off. February is where Switzerland drops the polite image and turns it up to eleven.

CommunityWeekendGrindelwald

Community weekend: winter wonderland in Grindelwald

28 physios, fresh snow and full freedom. Here's what our first winter community weekend in the Swiss Alps looked like.

HousingCommunityCosts

Shared apartment in Switzerland: costs and tips

70% of takeoff physios share a home. Here's why it works so well in Switzerland, what a Swiss WG really looks like, and where to find your room.

PhysiotherapyCareer switchOptions

Career change after 5 years of physio: 7 realistic options

Doubting your physio career after five years? Here are seven realistic routes, from specialisation to a full move abroad, with what each one actually delivers.

JanuaryWinterCommunity

Why January in Switzerland is anything but boring

January does not have to feel flat. In Switzerland it is the best winter month: fresh snow, snowshoeing, our community weekend in Grindelwald and space to reset for the year ahead.

DecemberSwitzerlandWinter

December in Switzerland: Christmas markets, toboggan runs and a five-franc ski pass

Expect Christmas markets glowing in old towns, long toboggan runs through snowy forests, and one wild opening day where you ski for five francs if you come dressed as Santa. December in Switzerland is small rituals stacked on top of each other.

First yearRelocateLife

Your first year as a physio in Switzerland: what they don't tell you

Your first year as a physio in Switzerland is an adventure, and an intense one. Here's what actually happens, and how to handle the bits no one warns you about.

SwitzerlandLivingCosts

Cost of housing in Switzerland: overview of rental prices and more

Switzerland is known for high costs, but is housing really unaffordable? An in-depth overview of rental prices, property costs, and what you can actually expect.

Cost of livingSwitzerlandBudget

What does living in Switzerland cost? A complete 2025 overview

Wondering what Switzerland actually costs? See the full 2025 breakdown of rent, groceries, insurance and transport, plus what you save as a physio.

NovemberSwitzerlandAgenda

November in Switzerland: dark outside, light on the weekends

Chase the first snow, walk through autumn-coloured valleys and warm your hands around mulled wine at Switzerland's earliest winter markets. November is quieter than December, and that is exactly what makes it good.

Health insurancePhysiotherapySwitzerland

Health insurance and physiotherapy in Switzerland: everything you need to know

As a physiotherapist in Switzerland it is essential to understand the reimbursement system. Here is how referrals, rate codes and insurance-free care actually work in your daily practice.

From gross to net in Switzerland: what's left of your physio salary?

See exactly what remains of your Swiss physio salary after taxes. Gross to net explained, plus the canton-by-canton differences that affect your pay.

OctoberCommunitySwitzerland

October in Switzerland: when the mountains turn gold

October is the month to head outside: golden forests, Lucerne's cheese festival and chestnut parties in Ticino. Here is where to be.

FamilyTravelSwitzerland

What to do when family or friends come to visit you in Switzerland

Your parents or best friends are finally coming to see your new life in Switzerland. Here is how to make it unforgettable, whatever the weather.

SRKtakeoffPhysiotherapy

This is how we help you with your SRK application

The SRK diploma recognition process can feel overwhelming with all the documents, translations and deadlines. Here is exactly how takeoff takes that weight off your shoulders.

PhysiotherapyPreCheckSRK

SRK PreCheck: your first step to working in Switzerland

The SRK PreCheck is a mandatory, free pre-test for all physiotherapists with foreign diplomas. Here's everything you need to know about the process.

SeptemberCommunitySwitzerland

September in Switzerland: another month full of adventure

September hits the sweet spot: our takeoff community weekend in Ticino, the famous Alpabzug cow parade and autumn hikes in golden larch forests.

FriendsSwitzerlandCommunity

Making friends in Switzerland? This is how you go about it

Sports clubs, run clubs, outdoor groups, language courses and shared flats: five practical routes into a real social life in Switzerland. Pick one, turn up twice, and watch what happens.

The 5 biggest mistakes in SRK diploma recognition

Avoid the most common pitfalls in your SRK application. We share the five mistakes we see again and again, and how to dodge them for a smooth recognition process.

Withholding taxSwitzerlandRates

Quellensteuer in Switzerland: what foreign physios need to know

From rates and thresholds to deductions and refunds. Here's how Swiss withholding tax works for EU physios and how to get money back at the end of the year.

FinanceRetirementPillar 3a

Your financial future: smart retirement savings with the third pillar (3a)

As a physiotherapist in Switzerland, you're probably earning well, but have you thought about retirement? The 3a scheme is how most residents build their financial future, with serious tax benefits on top.

SRKSwitzerlandPhysiotherapy

Applying for an SRK: the complete roadmap for European physiotherapists

Dreaming of a physiotherapy career in the Swiss mountains? Then recognition of your foreign diploma by the SRK is your first important step. Here is the full roadmap, phase by phase.

GermanFrenchSwitzerland

Is it difficult to learn German or French when you work in Switzerland?

Honest answer? Not as hard as most people think. Here is how to pick up the language faster than you expect, and why working in Swiss healthcare actually helps.

SRKPhysiotherapySwitzerland

What is an SRK and why is it so important for physiotherapists?

As a physiotherapist moving to Switzerland, you will quickly run into the acronym SRK. Here is what it means and why recognition by this organization is the foundation of your entire career in Swiss healthcare.

Practical German learning: your path to confidence

One of the biggest obstacles is often the German language, especially in the demanding medical environment. LinguaThor, our official language partner, shows you how to master it.

David Allen Martin II

PhysiotherapyMoneySalary

What do you earn as a physiotherapist in Switzerland?

Swiss salaries are significantly more attractive than in most European countries. Discover what you can expect as a starting or experienced physiotherapist.

Filing your Swiss taxes: our partnership with Taxea.ch

Swiss tax returns do not have to be confusing. Thanks to our partnership with Taxea.ch you get expert guidance and an exclusive CHF 50 discount for takeoff physios.

Tax returnSwitzerlandHelp

Filing a Swiss tax return as a foreign physiotherapist

Swiss tax returns explained. From deadlines and documents to the deductions that matter most for physios, and how to get the most back.

InsuranceRelocationSwitzerland

Extra insurances in Switzerland: the 4 you should not skip

Your home-country insurances do not travel with you. Line up these four essentials before your Swiss move so you are covered from day one.

Swiss health insurance: what you need to know

Arrange your Swiss health insurance with confidence. From the mandatory basic policy to picking the right deductible and care model, here's how it actually works.

Supplementary health insurance in Switzerland

Basic insurance alone leaves gaps. See which supplementary policies actually pay off: dental, hospital, alternative care and more, with a clear picture of what fits your life in Switzerland.

CoursesCareerDevelopment

Physiotherapy courses in Switzerland: keep growing as a physio

Keep your physio skills sharp in Switzerland. Explore the best local courses, online platforms and how to stay registered in your home country.

Working in SwitzerlandRatesPhysiotherapy

Swiss physiotherapy rate codes explained

Get to grips with the Swiss physiotherapy tariff codes. From 7301 to 7340, here's what every rate covers and what you're paid per treatment.

takeoff x Cenplex: practice software that makes your workday smoother

Our new partnership with Cenplex means the clinics in our network run on modern practice software, so you spend less time on admin and more time on patients.

InternetContractsPartners

Mobile phone and internet in Switzerland: find the best deal in 5 minutes

Moving to Switzerland? Sort out your mobile plan and home internet in one go. Compare the best offers in minutes, even with a foreign passport.

RelocationFurnitureCustoms

Moving your furniture to Switzerland tax-free: the complete checklist

Take your furniture and belongings into Switzerland without paying import duties. Here are the conditions, the customs paperwork and tips for a smooth border crossing.

SalaryMoneyWorking in Switzerland

Your first Swiss pay slip: what all those abbreviations mean

AHV, ALV, NBU, KTG, BVG, Quellensteuer, Kirchensteuer. Decode every line on your Swiss pay slip so you know exactly what you're paying and why.

PhysiotherapyWorking in SwitzerlandRegistration

Keep your professional registration valid while working in Switzerland

Working abroad doesn't mean losing your home-country physio registration. Track your hours, save the right paperwork, and re-registering will be straightforward.