Cost of Living in Switzerland
Cost of Living or Living Expenses are the financial resources that must be estimated to live comfortably. The stable economy of the Switzerland provides many benefits to international students who are coming to pursue higher education in the country.
It is essential to understand the concept of the cost of living in Switzerland so that students can manage their finances without any worry.
- Overview of Cost of Living in Switzerland
- Average Cost of Living in Switzerland for Students
- Cost of Living in Switzerland: Accommodation Rent
- Average Cost of Study in Switzerland
- Private Universities in Switzerland
- Health Insurance for Indian Students in Switzerland
- Cost of Living in Switzerland: Top Cities
- Overall Expenses in Top Cities
- Tips to Cut Living Expenses in Switzerland
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Overview of Cost of Living in Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the top study destinations chosen by Indian students who are unable to attend the world’s leading universities present in countries like the USA, UK, France, etc., due to financial constraints, strict visa requirements, and other reasons.
It is the best alternative for international students because it also offers qualitative and economical study program options that attract them.
Residing in Switzerland for higher studies also brings several types of expenses, such as accommodation costs, meals costs, transportation costs, utilities bills, etc.
Managing them intelligently is very important for every student because it not only makes them aware of the market but also develops skills like responsibility and accountability.
In this blog, we have discussed several costs of living in Switzerland, including the average cost of living in Switzerland, various components of living expenses, the cost of studying in Switzerland, and more.
Average Cost of Living in Switzerland for Students
The average cost of living can also be called a ‘summary of living expenses’ because it incorporates the highlights of lump sum expenditure that an international student is supposed to do to maintain their minimum living standards. However, we suggest that students should keep some extra financial resources ready along with average expenditure costs so that they can tackle any emergency conditions..
On average, an Indian student should make a budget to spend between 1,500-3,000 CHF or INR 1.40 Lakh-2.80 Lakh per month, apart from the annual tuition fees of the university.
Below, we have given the general breakdown of all the necessary expenses along with their estimated costs.
| Expenses | Estimated Expenses |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 900-1,500 CHF (INR 84,000-1.40 Lakh) |
| Food | 500-900 CHF(INR 46,000-84,000) |
| Transportation | 80-150 CHF (INR 7,500-14,023) |
| Amusement/Leisure | 100-300 CHF (INR 9,000-28,000) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | 150-250 CHF (INR 14,000-23,000) |
| Total Expenses | 1730-3050 CHF (INR 1.62 Lakh-2.86 Lakh) |
Also read – How to Find the Perfect Study Abroad Program
Cost of Living in Switzerland: Accommodation Rent
The cost of accommodation is one of the significant portions of the cost of living in Switzerland for students. Usually, Swiss universities have their own housing office, which helps international students find accommodation on their premises.
The average cost of university accommodation ranges from 500-800 CHF or INR 46,000-74,000 per month, depending on the university. However, such accommodations are limited in number, so students also have several options to choose from: private student housing, shared apartments, and private rooms.
| Type of Accommodation | Cost of Accommodation (per month) |
|---|---|
| Student Housing | 500-1500 CHF (INR 46,000-1.40 Lakh) |
| Shared Apartments | 1,000- 3,000 CHF (INR 93,000-2 Lakh) |
| Private Room | 1,800-5,000 CHF (INR 1 Lakh-4 Lakh) |
Average Cost of Study in Switzerland
The cost of studying in Switzerland ranges from 1,000-2,000 CHF or INR 93,510-1.87 Lakh per year in public universities.
Private universities charge around 17,000-90,000 CHF or INR 15-83 Lakh per year. The tuition fees can vary depending on the program, specialisation, and university.
Below, we have listed the top universities in Switzerland for Indian students, including their QS World University Rankings and annual tuition fees.
| University | QS World Rankings (2025) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | 7 | 1,470 CHF |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | 26 | 1,266 CHF |
| University of Zurich | 109 | 1,470 CHF |
| University of Basel | 131 | 1,500 CHF |
| University of Geneva | 155 | 1,000 CHF |
| University of Bern | 161 | 1,800 CHF |
| University of Lausanne | 224 | 1,297 CHF |
| USI - Università della Svizzera italiana | 405 | 8,000 CHF |
Also read – Masters Abroad Top Courses Universities
Private Universities in Switzerland
Below, we have tabulated the private universities in Switzerland with their annual tuition fees
| University | Annual Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Swiss Hotel Management School | 35,000-60,000 CHF (INR 32-56 Lakh) |
| IMD Business School | 115,000 CHF (INR 1 Crore) |
| Webster University | 40,000-75,000 CHF (INR 40-75 Lakh) |
| Swiss School of Business & Management | 13,000-18,000 CHF (INR 12-18 Lakh) |
| International Business Academy of Switzerland | 20,000-70,000 CHF (INR 18-65 Lakh) |
Health Insurance for Indian Students in Switzerland
- Indian students residing in Switzerland for higher studies must take Swiss national insurance from any local insurance company after they have reached the country. Health insurance is compulsory for every student staying in Switzerland.
- Like EU/EEA students, international students are also eligible to receive the same benefits from Swiss insurance providers.
- They must have coverage from the private insurance of their home country to get an exemption from the coverage of a compulsory Swiss insurance policy.
- If an international student has taken an exemption, they cannot delay it for more than 6 months. After the exemption period, it is essential to opt for the Swiss health policy.
- The premium and coverage may vary for international students, depending on company, location and plans.
- International students can directly apply for Swiss insurance from local healthcare providers or insurance companies here.
Cost of Living in Switzerland: Top Cities
The average cost of living in Switzerland also varies depending on the city in which the student is residing. The expenditure of all the major components is diverse according to location and service provider.
Cost of Accommodation
The cost of accommodation in Switzerland can vary depending on the type of accommodation, city, lifestyle prefrences, and rules imposed by local landlords.
The average cost of accommodation in Swiss cities ranges from 1,500-3,000 CHF or INR 1.40-2.80 Lakh per month.
| City | Cost of Accommodation (per month) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 1,500-2,000 CHF (INR 1.40-1.87 Lakh) |
| Geneva | 1,700-3,000 CHF (INR 1.59-2.80 Lakh) |
| Bern | 900-1,200 CHF (INR 84,000-1.12 Lakh) |
| Interlaken | 1,500-3,000 CHF (INR 1.40-2.80 Lakh) |
| Basel | 1,500-3,000 CHF (INR 1.40-2.80 Lakh) |
Cost of Transportation
In Switzerland, the cost of transportation can vary from city to city depending on the road taxes and mode of transport. Students can choose among a variety of transportation options to commute within the city: bus, ferry, cab, etc.
The average cost of transportation in Switzerland ranges from 5-90 CHF or INR 400-8,000 per month.
| City | Cost of Meals (per month) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 180-250 CHF (INR 16,000-23,000) |
| Geneva | 300-350 CHF (INR 2,000-32,000) |
| Bern | 300-450 CHF (INR 27,000-41,000) |
| Interlaken | 360-450 CHF (INR 29,000-41,000) |
| Basel | 300-400 CHF (INR 28,000-37,000) |
Cost of Meals
The average cost of meals in Switzerland ranges from 15-125 CHF (INR 1,400-11,000) per month, depending on the type of food, taste choices, etc
| City | Cost of Meals (per month) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 180-250 CHF (INR 16,000-23,000) |
| Geneva | 300-350 CHF (INR 2,000-32,000) |
| Bern | 300-450 CHF (INR 27,000-41,000) |
| Interlaken | 360-450 CHF (INR 29,000-41,000) |
| Basel | 300-400 CHF (INR 28,000-37,000) |
Utilities Expenses
Utility expenses include electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. In Switzerland, the average cost of utility services lies in the range of 30-250 CHF (INR 2,000-23,000) per month, depending on the service provider, quality of services, and city.
| City | Utilities Expenses (per month) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 30-250 CHF (INR 2,000-23,000) |
| Geneva | 50-200 CHF (INR 4,000-18,000) |
| Bern | 45-250 CHF (INR 4,000-23,000) |
| Interlaken | 50-250 CHF (INR 4,000-23,000) |
| Basel | 50-215 CHF (INR 4,000-20,000) |
Overall Expenses in Top Cities
Below is the overall estimation of all the major components of the living expenses in Switzerland for international students from the top cities:
| City | Accommodation (per month) | Transportation (per month) | Meals (per month) | Utilities (per month) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 1,500-2,000 CHF (INR 1.40-1.87 Lakh) | 5-90 CHF (INR 400-8,000) | 15-120 CHF (INR 1,400-11,000) | 30-250 CHF (INR 2,000-23,000) | 1,550-2,460 CHF (INR 1.40 Lakh-2.30 Lakh) |
| Geneva | 1,700-3,000 CHF (INR 1.59-2.80 Lakh) | 3-70 CHF (INR 200-6,000) | 25-125 CHF (INR 2,000-11,000) | 50-200 CHF (INR 4,000-18,000) | 1,778-3,395 CHF (INR 1.66-3.17 Lakh) |
| Bern | 900-1,200 CHF (INR 84,000-1.12 Lakh) | 5-80 CHF (INR 4,00-7,000) | 25-90 CHF (INR 2,300-8,000) | 45-250 CHF (INR 4,000-23,000) | 975-1,620 CHF (INR 35,000-1.51 Lakh) |
| Interlaken | 1,500-3,000 CHF (INR 1.40-2.80 Lakh) | 3-60 CHF (INR 400-5,000) | 30-80 CHF (INR 2,800-7,000) | 50-250 CHF (INR 4,000-23,000) | 1,583-3,390 CHF (INR 1.48-3.17) |
| Basel | 1,500-3,000 CHF (INR 1.40-2.80 Lakh) | 5-90 CHF (INR 4,000-8,000) | 25-120 CHF (INR 2,000-11,000 | 50-215 CHF (INR 4,000-20,000) | 1,580-3,425 CHF (INR 1.47-3.20 Lakh) |
Tips to Cut Living Expenses in Switzerland
The following are some general tips to reduce the cost of living in Switzerland for students:
- Maintain and manage a diary containing living expenses to track unnecessary costs.
- If you are using a credit card, do not forget to pay its bill on time to avoid late fees and heavy charges
- Reduce the consumption of electricity when it is not required, like when you are outside your premises.
- Use public transport system while commuting within the city
- Do not opt for outside food when you are able to cook yourself. It will keep your health and pocket in good condition!
Conclusion
Switzerland is considered a student-friendly country because of the availability of affordable education and accommodation. The average cost of living in Switzerland depends on several factors like locality, premises of stay, charges imposed by the government, lifestyle preferences, etc., so it is challenging to estimate the actual living expenses or cost of expenditure without proper guidance.
However, Indian students should know about the general cost of living when they opt to study in Switzerland.
FAQs
Is it costly to live in Switzerland?
For international students, it is essential to understand the average living expenses along with university tuition fees to manage financial resources accordingly.
What is the average salary in Switzerland?
The average pay in Switzerland for Indian professionals is between 79,000-150,000 CHF or INR 73 Lakh-1 Crore per year, depending on the type of job and the employer.
Is it hard to get jobs in Switzerland?
The economy of Switzerland is stable, but the labour market is highly competitive. Since education in the country is highly affordable, lots of talented students enrol in academic programs, which makes it challenging to get employment after finishing their studies.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
