Spanning 26 cantons, the plains and mountains of the enchanting country of Switzerland take the breath away from tourists and immigrants alike with the splendor of its tourist attractions, which the government has harnessed to support the Swiss economy by developing its services and preserving the historical monuments of Switzerland, a nation founded on August 1, 1291—726 years ago.
Swiss policy adheres to a stance of neutrality in international and global conflicts; it did not join any alliance during World War I or World War II, and for nearly a century has hosted the headquarters of the United Nations.
General Information
Switzerland is located in southern Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. The Alps stretch across a large portion of its territory, and due to its central location on the European continent, it serves as a link between many European countries. Christianity is the religion of the majority of Switzerland’s native population (76%), and there are estimated populations of Muslims and Jews. The languages spoken by the Swiss people are German, French, and Italian, while the franc is the main currency for daily transactions, though the euro can also be used.
The tourism industry employs 250,000 Swiss citizens
Tourism in Switzerland plays a major role in the growth of the local economy, with the tourism sector employing more than 250,000 citizens, and the tourism sectors are diverse across all major cities, with business and conference tourism, medical tourism, leisure, and recreation serving as key drivers that place the tourism sector third in terms of economic importance, This is due to its magnificent natural scenery, mountains, and lakes, where topography plays a central role in shaping its economy, culture, and political traditions, in addition to its status as a major international tourist destination.
Skiing and mountaineering are among the most important traditional sources of income in Switzerland, which boasts magnificent panoramic views of the Alps.
1,500 lakes revitalize tourism
Switzerland’s plains and mountain valleys are home to more than 1,500 lakes of various sizes, attracting tourists and vacationers and making it a premier tourist destination with strong and beautiful attractions.
Intra-regional trade boosts the economy
The city of Zurich is Switzerland’s most important economic hub, home to nearly 150,000 companies, while the international trade sector occupies a prominent and leading position; the country relies on foreign earnings amounting to 50% of the sector’s revenue through these robust investments, coupled with low tax rates, as is customary in the Western world, , which further fuels the industry’s growth.
Switzerland’s active trade activity directs half of its exports to its neighboring countries in the Eurozone; this means that the fate of its economy is intertwined with that of its European neighbors. Therefore, the European Union is considered a key partner for the country, in addition to the United States, Japan, China, and the Pacific Rim countries.
The average annual household income is 95,000 francs, equivalent to $100,000 per year. It is worth noting that Switzerland has one of the largest current account surpluses in the world, representing a significant percentage of its gross domestic product.
Bern: A Hub for European Trains
Bern is the federal capital (Bundesstadt) of Switzerland, located in the Canton of Bern. It lies 542 meters above sea level and stretches along both banks of the Aare River in the Swiss Plateau (Mittelland), The city has a population of approximately 132,000, making it the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland.
Bern was founded in 1191 and recognized as a free city in the 13th century. In 1353, it joined the Old Swiss Confederacy and became one of its most powerful cities. Bern was almost completely burned down in 1405 and was subsequently rebuilt in the Renaissance style, Its Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983, and it became the seat of the Swiss federal government in 1848; several international organizations are also headquartered in Bern.
Bern is geographically situated on a hill at the junction of the routes leading from the Alps to the Jura Mountains, and at the crossroads of routes stretching across the Swiss plains, which form a vital transportation artery for the country. Bern’s Old Town is situated at a sharp bend in the Aare River, which surrounds it to the south, east, and north, while to the west, it was once walled; the central train station now stands on parts of that former wall. Few cities have succeeded in preserving their historical landmarks as thoroughly as Bern has, The modern city then expanded in all directions from the Old Town outward. Today, Bern is divided into six districts, which are in turn subdivided into 32 major neighborhoods.
Flughafen Bern-Belp is located east of Bern and operates several scheduled flights to European cities, as well as charter flights to Mediterranean resort destinations during the summer. Bern is a major rail hub in Switzerland, with nearly all of the country’s trains passing through it. Its central station (Bern Hauptbahnhof) is the second-largest in Switzerland, serving as a departure point for train services to Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. Three major highways converge in Bern, connecting it to Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, and other cities. Within the city, there is a public transportation network operated by Bernmobil, which runs three tram lines as well as electric and regular buses.
In terms of cultural landmarks and monuments, there is the Kornhaus cultural center and the Stadttheater Bern municipal theater. The city hosts several festivals, the most famous of which are the Gurtenfestival for rock and pop music, the BeJazz jazz festival, the Shnit Short Film Festival, and the Bern Carnival(Berner Fasnacht), among others. There is also the Kunstmuseum Bern and the Zentrum Paul Klee, among other attractions.
Zurich: The Center of Business and Commerce
The city of Zurich is located in the canton of Zurich, where the Limmat River originates from Lake Zurich, with a population of approximately 400,000. Its geographical location is one of the main reasons for its massive commercial and industrial development: it lies at a major crossroads leading to Italy, France, and Germany.
Its industrial base includes textile, machinery, chemical, and food preservation factories. Zurich is also Switzerland’s center for business, commerce, fashion, and culture. It is characterized by a high standard of living.
Its main street is Bahnhofstrasse, which means “Train Station Street”; it begins at the central train station and ends at the lake. This street is known for its luxury, featuring high-end shops, prominent banks, and branches of leading fashion and retail chains.
Geneva: The Capital of Tourism, Trade, and Diplomacy
Geneva is considered the international capital of peace; this magnificent city, with its stunning landscapes and architectural details, is home to major international organizations that have made it a global hub for international deliberations and meetings.
Geneva is the capital of the Canton of Geneva, located in southwestern Switzerland. Geneva is situated on the western shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), on the French border. It is a major tourist, commercial, and diplomatic hub and is Switzerland’s second-largest city by population (after Zurich), with a population of over 190,000 (more than 800,000 in its metropolitan area). It is also the largest city in the Romandy region, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Two-thirds of the Geneva metropolitan area’s population lives in Switzerland, while one-third lives within French territory.
Geneva has an international airport and is home to numerous international organizations, primarily humanitarian in nature, the most important of which include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organization, and the International Red Cross. Geneva is also home to the League of Nations building, which today serves as the United Nations Office in Europe. This situation has led to some amusing circumstances unique to the city, such as the fact that one-third of drivers in Geneva enjoy diplomatic immunity.
Geneva is situated between two major mountain ranges: the Alps to the south and the Jura Mountains to the north. The city covers an area of approximately 16 square kilometers, while the adjacent section of the lake stretches for 38 kilometers and is called the Petit Lac (Small Lake). Geneva lies 373 meters above sea level and is crossed by the Arve River, which flows into the Rhône River west of the city center.
140 meters at the Geneva Fountain
One of Geneva’s most famous landmarks is its fountain, which shoots water up to 140 meters into the air; it is the city’s symbol and a popular tourist attraction.
Geneva’s architectural landmarks include St. Pierre Cathedral, the Old Town, the Palais des Nations, and the Quartier des Grottes district, known for its unique specialty shops, among others. Geneva is also home to museums and galleries, including the International Museum of the Reformation, the Musée ARIANA, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain). Parks also play a special and central role in Geneva’s beautiful landscape.
Real Estate in Switzerland
The real estate market in Switzerland is experiencing stability and growth in investment activity, which increases with the influx of tourists in the second half of each year. and there are numerous options for tourists and investors to engage with real estate, either through renting or purchasing and owning property. The federal Koller Act regulates how foreigners may own real estate in Switzerland, However, owning a house, apartment, or plot of land does not entitle a foreign national to obtain a residence permit in Switzerland. The responsibility for enforcing this law and granting permits and authorizations for real estate purchases therefore falls to the cantons.
There are financing options for real estate purchases (mortgages) ranging from 60 to 80%, while the buyer must cover 20% or more of the total cost with their own funds, They must also pay additional purchase costs and various taxes and fees to complete the transaction and register the property. Interest rates are generally low, at 4% or less.
Buying a Vacation Home
Foreigners can purchase vacation homes, but they need a special permit to do so, and several conditions apply: the property must be located in a specific area designated by the cantonal authorities as a tourist resort, and a quota system applies. Cantons and municipalities may also impose their own restrictions, such as allowing foreigners to purchase only properties already owned by foreigners.
Vacation homes cannot be rented to third parties year-round, but only on a periodic basis; and residential units in hotels (hotel apartments) must be available for operation by the relevant hotel owner during peak seasons. Currently, work is ongoing to implement a popular initiative calling for a limit on the construction of second homes in certain municipalities.
As a general rule, the net living area (or the area that includes rooms such as the kitchen, living room, bathroom, indoor pool, sauna, and hobby room —but does not include balconies, staircases, or basements)—and the property’s floor area must not exceed 200 m² and 1,000 m², respectively. For larger areas of up to 250 m² and 1,000 m², respectively, a permit can be obtained automatically if you can demonstrate your need for this space. Larger areas can only be approved in exceptional cases.
