Daily life in Switzerland

Everything you need to know to navigate everyday life in your new country

Daily life in Switzerland follows rules and habits that are sometimes very different from those of your country of origin. From waste sorting to store opening hours, including neighborhood rules and payment methods, each aspect of everyday life has its Swiss specificities. This practical guide supports you in your adaptation to the realities of daily Swiss life, so that your installation goes smoothly.

Do your shopping

Two brands dominate the Swiss market: Migros (no alcohol on the shelves) and Coop. Discounters Aldi Switzerland and Lidl Switzerland offer prices 20 to 30% lower. For organic and local products, Migros Bio and Coop Naturaplan are well established. Farmers' markets occur weekly in most cities — a great source of fresh, local produce.

Opening hours are regulated by the cantons. As a general rule, stores are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays (until 9 p.m. on Thursdays in certain cantons) and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sunday, all businesses are closed, with the exception of train stations and airports. Plan your shopping accordingly.

Recycling and sorting of waste

Waste sorting in Switzerland is a serious matter. Household waste must be placed in taxed bags (official trash bags) sold in supermarkets - count CHF 1 to CHF 2 per 35 liter bag depending on the municipality. Disposing of waste in a regular bag is punishable by a fine.

Recycling is free. Collection points accept: glass (sorted by color), paper/cardboard, aluminum, PET, batteries and textiles. Organic waste is collected separately via green bins. Municipal recycling centers accept bulky items and electronic devices.

Rules of life in co-ownership

The building regulations (Hausordnung) govern common life. Universal rules include: silence between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. (8 a.m. on weekends), strict Sunday rest (no noisy machines), use of the common laundry room according to a posted schedule, cleaning of common areas in turns.

The common laundry room (Waschküche) is a Swiss institution. Each tenant has slots reserved on a board. Sticking to your schedule and leaving the laundry room clean is crucial. Use on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited in most buildings.

Post and parcel

Swiss Post offers a reliable service. A mail (priority) costs CHF 1.20 and arrives the next day. B mail (economy) costs CHF 0.90 and arrives in 2-3 days. For parcels, La Poste, DPD and DHL are the main operators.

The PickPost service allows you to collect your parcels from more than 2,500 collection points. My Post 24 offers machines accessible 24 hours a day in stations. Mail forwarding costs CHF 45 for 3 months.

Banking and Payments

TWINT is the Swiss mobile payment application par excellence — accepted in most shops, restaurants and even markets. Debit cards (Maestro, Debit Mastercard, V Pay) are widely accepted. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere, sometimes with a surcharge for small amounts.

Despite digitalization, cash remains commonly used in Switzerland, particularly in small businesses and markets. ATMs (Bancomat) are available in all stations and shopping centers.

Everyday health

For minor health concerns, Swiss pharmacies are well equipped and pharmacists can advise you and dispense certain medications without a prescription. The on-call pharmacies provide night and weekend service (number displayed on each pharmacy).

In the event of a non-vital emergency, the Medical Centers offer consultations without an appointment. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 144 (ambulance) or 145 (poisoning).

Pets

Dogs must be registered with the municipality and have an electronic chip. An annual dog tax is collected (CHF 100–200 depending on the municipality). Some cantons require a compulsory dog training course.

Cats must be microchipped. Public transport allows small animals free in a carrier bag, while dogs require a half-fare ticket.

Useful Guides

Guide Finding an Apartment in Switzerland Guide Preparing Your Rental Application in Switzerland Guide Rental Deposit in Switzerland Guide Health Insurance in Switzerland

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical opening hours in Switzerland?

Stores generally open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. On Thursday, many shops remain open until 9 p.m. (night time). On Sunday, everything is closed except the shops at the station and the airport. Restaurants generally serve from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Public administrations often close at 4:30 or 5 p.m.

Is home delivery common?

Yes, Migros, Coop, Farmy and Amazon.de deliver throughout Switzerland. For meals, Uber Eats, Just Eat and Smood are the main platforms. Delivery costs vary from CHF 5 to CHF 10 for groceries, with a minimum order around CHF 50-99.

Should you leave a tip in Switzerland?

The service is included in prices in Switzerland (high staff salaries). Tipping is therefore not obligatory, but it is common to round up the bill or leave 5 to 10% in restaurants if the service was good. At the café, we generally round up to the nearest franc. Taxi drivers appreciate a tip of CHF 2-5.