Frequently asked questions.

A team that is 100% committed to making your Swiss dream come true! We are looking for the perfect match between your needs and those of employers.

We have extensive experience working as a physio in Switzerland! Ben has been running his own practice since 2023, while Tijmen combined his passion for sports with work at a Swiss Olympic Center until the end of 2024.

Actually, never! Once you're in Switzerland, you'll be part of our takeoff community. We remain your single point of contact for all your questions.

No! For you as a physiotherapist, our services are completely free of charge. Your new employer pays 100% for our service.

From our own experience, we know how difficult it can be to find your way as a physiotherapist in Switzerland.

Yes! We stand for the quality of our matches. In our AGB, you will find loyal clauses that minimize the risk.

Absolutely! At takeoff, we keep it smart and efficient: after completing our questionnaire, we first filter for potential matches.

Sure! We've streamlined the entire process with a clear step-by-step plan and helpful explanatory videos.

We take language skills very seriously. We actively encourage and support our therapists in learning German.

We believe in our approach: first delivering quality, then invoicing. You only pay after the trial period.

To work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland, you need recognition from the Swiss Red Cross (SRK). It confirms that your foreign degree and experience meet Swiss requirements.

Just like you need your BIG registration in the Netherlands, you need a registration with the Swiss Red Cross (SRK). This is a requirement to officially work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland.

Yes, this recognition is mandatory in order to legally work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland. Without SRK recognition, your working hours in Switzerland do not count towards your BIG registration.

The duration of the SRK process can vary, but on average it takes several months. It depends on how complete your application is and how quickly you provide the required documents. We've guided 70+ physiotherapists through this process.

We keep seeing the same mistakes! The top five: missing or incorrect documents, wrong translations, starting the application too late, not having the B2 German certificate on time, and unclear information about work experience.

You don't have to speak German fluently to get started in Switzerland right away! However, you must achieve the B2 level within two years. We're developing tailored German language courses to help you.

Your BIG registration in the Netherlands remains active as long as you meet the re-registration requirements. Your working hours in Switzerland count towards your BIG registration, provided you have SRK recognition.

Absolutely! Switzerland offers excellent opportunities for entrepreneurial physiotherapists. You'll need specific knowledge of Swiss healthcare regulations and business aspects. We recommend starting with employment first.

There's quite a lot involved in emigrating! Among other things, you need to cancel your health insurance, deregister from the municipality, terminate your energy contracts. We provide personal checklists and timelines to make sure nothing gets forgotten.

As a Belgian, you need to arrange a few specific things that are slightly different from those for Dutch people. This includes cancelling health insurance funds, arranging pension matters, and other administrative requirements.

Yes, you must! Your European driver's license is not valid forever in Switzerland. It remains valid for 12 months after registration, and you need to exchange it within this timeframe.

Yes, you can! Because Switzerland is not an EU country, your moving goods must go through customs. If you're moving to Switzerland for the first time, your household goods are tax-free. You'll need inventory lists and employment contracts.

Of course we help you on your way in your search for housing in Switzerland! We share search strategies, useful websites, Facebook groups, and leverage our network. Community members regularly share housing opportunities.

Your employer initiates the application with the municipality where you are going to live. You'll receive a B permit (5 years) or later a C permit (10 years). You need to register within 14 days of arrival.

With your employment contract, rental contract and proof of registration with the municipality, you can open a bank account at a Swiss bank. We assist with all procedural steps.

In Switzerland, you have various options, both in the city and in the villages. In the city, you pay for a room in a shared apartment between 600-800 CHF, a studio 900-1,200 CHF, and a 2-bedroom 1,400-1,800 CHF. In villages, prices start lower.

Switzerland is indeed more expensive, but not for everything! Especially touristic things like hotels and restaurants are pricey. But your fixed costs are lower relative to your salary. Residents can get 50% transport discounts via the Halbtax card (around 140 euros).

In addition to your mandatory basic health insurance, there are additional insurances you can consider. Options include dental, home contents, legal expenses, and liability insurance depending on your personal circumstances.

Yes! Thanks to our partnerships, as a takeoff physiotherapist you get discounts on various services. This includes Taxea.ch discounts (CHF 50 for tax returns) and Alao for mobile and internet subscriptions.

Homesickness can certainly occur, especially in the beginning. But you're not alone. Community contact with fellow physiotherapists, easy return travel options, and local social networks via group chats and activities provide great support.

How lovely! Your parents or best friends are coming to discover your new life in Switzerland. The country offers diverse attractions from cities to mountains for guest visits.

Life in Switzerland is indeed more expensive than in most other countries in Europe. However, your fixed costs are lower relative to your salary than in most home countries.

Whether you're going by train (via NS International), Flixbus, plane or car, there are plenty of options. With the SBB Halbtax card you also get 50% off Swiss public transport.

Through our group chats! Here you can easily find people for a spontaneous hike, bike ride or fun night out. There are city-specific channels for local connections.

Yes! The highlight is our annual physio summit, which is free for all takeoff therapists. We also organise a New Year's reception, and there are active hiking and cycling groups.

You are not alone! There are many Dutch and Belgian physiotherapists working in Switzerland. The atmosphere is diverse and international, and friendships form quickly through takeoff community channels.

Your phone is your best friend in Switzerland! Download at least the SBB app for public transport, Parkingpay for parking, and your bank's app. We share a complete list of useful apps when you join.

In Switzerland, you arrange your own health insurance. This gives you the freedom to choose the best insurance yourself, independently from your employer.

This varies by employer and depends on your travel distance. You can include this in your salary negotiations, and we help guide you through this.

AHV/IV and other Swiss abbreviations on your pay slip may seem like gibberish, but no worries! We provide resources that explain all deductions and components.

Your development doesn't stand still in Switzerland! You get one week of paid leave per year for courses as standard. Many employers also contribute to course costs. You can take courses anywhere, even internationally.

Each Swiss canton (province) has its own culture, and you can see this reflected in salaries. Canton-specific insurance reimbursement rates, differing income tax rates, and varying cost-of-living all play a role.

This varies by physiotherapy practice, and there is usually room for negotiation. In any case, you always get at least five weeks.

Good news: in Switzerland, you accrue a double pension! Your employer contributes to your pension accrual, combined with your individual contributions. It's all automatically arranged.

Yes! There are various options, such as the '2nd pillar' and '3rd pillar'. We connect you with tax advisors for personalised guidance.

Because you get a B-bewilligung that is valid for five years, you pay 'Quellensteuer' for the first five years. This is automatically deducted from your salary, so you don't need to file a tax return in most cases.