- Average monthly living costs for students range from 1,800-3,200 CHF (₹2-3.6 Lakh), covering accommodation, food, transport, and utilities across Swiss cities.
- Bern offers the lowest living costs among major Swiss cities at 1,805-2,890 CHF (₹2-3.3 Lakh) monthly.
- Switzerland hosts two universities in the global top 25—ETH Zurich (7th) and EPFL (22nd)—offering world-class education at affordable public university rates.
- 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
- 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
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
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
Switzerland is a premier study destination for Indian students, home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities including ETH Zurich and EPFL. With affordable public university tuition fees and world-class education standards, Switzerland attracts students seeking quality education in Europe
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 1,800-3,200 CHF or INR 2 Lakh-3.6 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 (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | CHF 1,000-1,800 (INR 1.2-2.1 Lakh) |
| Food | CHF 600-1,000 (INR 69,540-1.2 Lakh) |
| Transportation | CHF 90-170 (INR 10,431-19,703) |
| Amusement/Leisure | CHF 120-350 (INR 13,908-40,565) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | CHF 180-280 (INR 20,862-32,452) |
| Total Expenses | CHF 1,990-3,600 (INR 2.3-4.2 Lakh) |
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 | 600-1,800 CHF (INR 67,680-2.0 Lakh) |
| Shared Apartments | 1,200-3,200 CHF (INR 1.4-3.6 Lakh) |
| Private Room | 2,000-5,500 CHF (INR 2.3-6.2 Lakh) |
Average Cost of Study in Switzerland
The cost of studying in Switzerland ranges from 1,200-2,200 CHF or INR 1.3-2.4 Lakh per year in public universities.
Private universities charge around 18,000-95,000 CHF or INR 20.3-1 Crore 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 University Rankings (2026) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | 7 | CHF 4,380 (INR 5.1 Lakh)* |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | 22 | CHF 4,380 (INR 5.1 Lakh)* |
| University of Zurich | 100 | CHF 1,550 (INR 1.8 Lakh) |
| University of Geneva | 155 | CHF 1,100 (INR 1.3 Lakh) |
| University of Basel | 158 | CHF 1,600 (INR 1.9 Lakh) |
| University of Bern | 184 | CHF 1,900 (INR 2.2 Lakh) |
| University of Lausanne | 212 | CHF 1,400 (INR 1.6 Lakh) |
| USI - Università della Svizzera italiana | 473 | CHF 8,200 (INR 9.5 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 | 1,800-2,300 CHF (INR 2.0-2.6 Lakh) |
| Geneva | 2,000-3,300 CHF (INR 2.3-3.7 Lakh) |
| Bern | 1,000-1,400 CHF (INR 1.1-1.6 Lakh) |
| Interlaken | 1,700-3,200 CHF (INR 1.9-3.6 Lakh) |
| Basel | 1,700-3,200 CHF (INR 1.9-3.6 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 Transportation (per month) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 90-280 CHF (INR 10,152-31,584) |
| Geneva | 80-250 CHF (INR 9,024-28,200) |
| Bern | 85-260 CHF (INR 9,588-29,328) |
| Interlaken | 75-240 CHF (INR 8,460-27,072) |
| Basel | 90-270 CHF (INR 10,152-30,456) |
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 | 1,800-2,300 CHF (INR 2.0-2.6 Lakh) | 90-280 CHF (INR 10,152-31,584) | 600-1,100 CHF (INR 67,680-1.2 Lakh) | 180-280 CHF (INR 20,304-31,584) | 2,670-3,960 CHF (INR 3.0-4.5 Lakh) |
| Geneva | 2,000-3,300 CHF (INR 2.3-3.7 Lakh) | 80-250 CHF (INR 9,024-28,200) | 650-1,150 CHF (INR 73,320-1.3 Lakh) | 200-300 CHF (INR 22,560-33,840) | 2,930-5,000 CHF (INR 3.3-5.6 Lakh) |
| Bern | 1,000-1,400 CHF (INR 1.1-1.6 Lakh) | 85-260 CHF (INR 9,588-29,328) | 550-950 CHF (INR 62,040-1.1 Lakh) | 170-280 CHF (INR 19,176-31,584) | 1,805-2,890 CHF (INR 2.0-3.3 Lakh) |
| Interlaken | 1,700-3,200 CHF (INR 1.9-3.6 Lakh) | 75-240 CHF (INR 8,460-27,072) | 600-1,000 CHF (INR 67,680-1.1 Lakh) | 180-280 CHF (INR 20,304-31,584) | 2,555-4,720 CHF (INR 2.9-5.3 Lakh) |
| Basel | 1,700-3,200 CHF (INR 1.9-3.6 Lakh) | 600-1,100 CHF (INR 67,680-1.2 Lakh) | 180-280 CHF (INR 20,304-31,584) | 2,570-4,850 CHF (INR 2.9-5.5 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!
Key Takeaways
Switzerland offers world-class education through prestigious institutions like ETH Zurich (ranked 7th globally) and EPFL (ranked 22nd), with public university tuition fees ranging from just 1,200-2,200 CHF (₹1.3-2.4 Lakh) annually—significantly lower than UK or US alternatives. International students should budget 1,800-3,200 CHF (₹2.0-3.6 Lakh) monthly for living expenses, with Bern emerging as the most affordable major city at 1,805-2,890 CHF (₹2.0-3.3 Lakh) per month.
Compulsory health insurance and strategic budgeting for accommodation (the largest expense at 1,000-1,800 CHF monthly) are essential for financial planning. Master’s graduates from Swiss universities command competitive salaries across finance, technology, and engineering sectors in Europe’s most stable economy.
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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.
Which Swiss city offers the most affordable living costs for students?
ern provides the lowest living expenses amongst major Swiss cities, ranging from 1,805–2,890 CHF (₹2.0–3.3 Lakh) monthly.
Is health insurance mandatory for international students in Switzerland?
Yes, Swiss health insurance is compulsory for all international students residing in Switzerland after arrival.
Can international students work part-time whilst studying in Switzerland?
Non-EU/EFTA students may work up to 15 hours weekly during term time after residing six months, with full-time work permitted during holidays.
What is the student visa financial proof requirement for Switzerland?
Applicants must demonstrate access to CHF 21,000 per year in a Swiss-authorised bank account for visa approval.
How long can graduates stay in Switzerland after completing their studies?
International graduates receive a six-month residence permit to seek employment related to their field of qualification.
Are Swiss universities taught primarily in English or local languages?
Bachelor’s programmes are typically taught in German, French, or Italian, whilst many master’s programmes offer English-taught options.
What language proficiency tests do Swiss universities accept for admission?
Universities accept IELTS (minimum 7.0), TOEFL iBT (minimum 100), or Cambridge C1 Advanced for English-taught programmes.
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.
