What a month actually costs

The number students budget for is the rent on the advert. The number that leaves the account is considerably larger, and the gap is predictable.

The rent is not the rent

Swiss adverts quote net rent. Charges — heating, hot water, building maintenance, sometimes internet — are billed on top and typically run CHF 100 to CHF 280 a month depending on the city and the flat.

That is how a student budgets CHF 1,000 and pays CHF 1,180.

The fixed costs nobody warns you about

Health insurance is compulsory and is the one most students underestimate. Budget a few hundred francs a month for basic cover as a young adult, depending on canton and deductible.

A Half-Fare travelcard costs about CHF 190 a year and halves every train, bus and boat fare in the country. It pays for itself in roughly six intercity trips.

A debt-collection extract, needed for most agency applications, costs about CHF 17.

One-off costs at the start

A deposit of up to three months' rent, blocked in your name.

A residence permit card, plus the visa fee if you are non-EU.

Whatever it costs to solve the guarantor problem, if you have one.

Common questions

Are charges included in Swiss rent?

No. Advertised rents are net. Charges are billed separately and typically add CHF 100 to CHF 280 a month.

Is health insurance compulsory for students in Switzerland?

Yes, within three months of arriving, and it is backdated to your arrival date. Some EU students can apply for an exemption with an EHIC.

What is a Half-Fare travelcard worth?

About CHF 190 a year, and it halves public transport fares nationwide.

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