Digital Nomads in Switzerland: all our tips

The Gotthard Railway snaking through the breathtaking Swiss Alps 

The Swiss Alps' enchanting beauty is known worldwide, but the country offers a lot more to those who want to put down temporary roots and make Switzerland their next nomadic home.  

Immaculate coworking spaces, a considerable English-speaking population, extensive rail networks, and high quality of life define working remotely from this natural Eden. And while Switzerland is mostly associated with snowy landscapes, there is one such place in the country where the Swiss-lifestyle meets the Italian dolce vita under the sunniest skies.  

Bordering Italy and Switzerland, the canton of Ticino is the perfect combination of modern cities, lakeside towns and nature. Its temperate climate oozes comfort in summer and produces the ideal conditions for adrenaline sports in winter. It is also one of the cheaper cantons of the country! Along with digital nomad-friendly amenities and seamless mobility for local and international mobility, Ticino is indeed one of the most desirable bases for remote working and exploring Switzerland’s timeless beauty across seasons. 

Amazing view of Lugano from Monte Bre 

Below we have laid out all the details you need to move as a digital nomad in Switzerland, particularly in Ticino! 

Switzerland Digital Nomad Visa 

If you’ve been living the digital nomad life for a while, then you’d know that the first thing to figure out is whether Switzerland has a digital nomad visa? Well, not yet. But Switzerland has multiple type of visas and allowances for non-EU citizens to stay for periods longer than 3 months!  

Here's a total in and out of the visa requirements for citizens of specific countries: 

United States Citizens: No visa is required for stays up to 90 days (about 3 months) within a 180-day period. For longer stays, a visa permit is necessary. 

EU Citizens: EU and EFTA citizens can enter Switzerland without a visa. 

Canadian Citizens: Canadians can enter Switzerland without a visa but are limited to stays of 90 days (about 3 months) within a 180-day period. Longer stays require a visa permit. 

Australian and New Zealand Citizens: Both Australian and New Zealand citizens can enter Switzerland visa-free for various purposes, including work and long-term stays. 

Everyone else must apply for visas. 

Switzerland, while not offering a specific digital nomad visa, provides further opportunities for non-EU citizens through its Golden Visa Program and Entrepreneur Visa. Here's a comprehensive overview: 

1. Current Situation: 

- Non-EU citizens need a work permit to live and work in Switzerland. 

- EU-Switzerland agreement, EU/EEA citizens can work freely in Switzerland for three months due to freedom of movement 

2. Other Visa Options: 

- Golden Visa Program: Designed for third-country nationals looking to invest in Switzerland. 

Applicants must be 18-55, have a clean record, and show a legitimate income source. 

Investment options include lump sum taxation or investment in Swiss business. 

- Entrepreneur Visa: For self-employed non-EU/EFTA citizens. 

- Requires a valid residence or work permit, a business plan, and proof of business formation. 

- Schengen Visa: 

- The Schengen Visa allows travellers to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period across 26 European countries without the need for individual visas for each country. 

Depending on the visit's purpose, travellers may be granted a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry Schengen Visa. 

Now that we have gone through the bureaucratic formalities, let’s move on and see which is the best place for you to continue your life on the road! 

Digital nomads in Ticino 

Enjoy working outside during springs and summers 

Lugano: the most diverse city in Switzerland for Digital Nomads 

Lugano, the largest city of the canton, is a hub of vibrant nightlife, events, concerts, excellent restaurants, and, most importantly, top-notch co-working spaces like Impact Hub and modern accommodations (such as ICON-H) with fully equipped co-working spaces. The city is known to host elite tourists, but at the same time, it offers plenty to attract young travellers. 

However, what makes Lugano the most convenient base for working remotely is its effortless connectivity to bigger cities in Switzerland. Digital nomads in Lugano can reach Zürich (in central Switzerland) in just 90 minutes via the Gotthard Base Tunnel! Meanwhile, for international mobility, the railway line Tilo in Lugano crosses the border into Italy and goes through Lombardy to Milan Malpensa Airport. 

Spring and Summer for Digital Nomads in Ticino 

During summer, Ticino’s temperate weather reaches a maximum of 30 degrees, giving way to luxurious days around lidos and natural swimming areas scattered throughout the canton. For adventurous digital nomads and fans of James Bond movies, the GoldenEye’s iconic bungee jumping point is right here in Ticino and so is the gorgeous Ponte dei Salti in Val Verzasca; a favourite summer haunt of locals.  

Furthermore, breathtaking hiking and biking trails through Monte Carasso, Monte San Giorgio, and Monte Lema add to the wonderful experiences amidst the renowned bounty of Swiss nature. 

The breathtaking contrast of Summer and Winter at the iconic GoldenEye dam 

Autumn for Digital Nomads in Ticino 

Come September, when the off-season sets in, digital nomads can enjoy great deals and visit famous sites like Madonna del Sasso (in Locarno) and Bellinzona (capital of Ticino) without the extra crowds. They can also take a little trip down ancient history and visit one of the prettiest villages of Ticino, Morcote, enveloped in a blissful atmosphere. The magnificent Lake Maggiore, nestled on the border of Switzerland and Italy, is also less crowded and more welcoming to enjoy a quick weekend away, offering tons of exciting watersports.  

Try your hand at high-speed windsurfing in Lake Maggiore 

Ticino is also home to some magnificent parks whose beauty is awe-inspiring, especially during Autumn when centuries-old trees turn gold, making every other corner of Ticino a thing of beauty. Another popular phenomenon takes place in Autumn and is called the Foliage train. So, imagine closing your laptop for the day and hopping on a dreamy train ride that will take you through the wildly colourful landscape from Piedmont (in Italy) to Locarno (in Switzerland).  

Winter for Digital Nomads in Ticino 

In winter, digital nomads can count on snow-laden slopes and ski resorts like San Domenico and Mottarone near Lake maggiore to enjoy winter sports and the characteristic beauty of the Swiss Alps, which they can admire from the enchanting Bernina Express. 

For those who want to dig further into the travelling opportunities and make the best of their stay, Ticino has efficient train connections to popular cities such as Lucerne. A stunning little corner of paradise, Lucerne is a must-visit in summer as well as winter, with unique ski resorts around to enjoy.  

Lucerne’s fairy-tale-like beauty 

Finally, the benefits of working in Switzerland as a Digital Nomad: 

1. Great Infrastructure: Switzerland boasts excellent infrastructure, including reliable local and international transportation and modern remote work facilities. 

2. Strong Economy: Switzerland has a robust economy, providing stability and opportunities for professionals. 

3. Work-Life Balance: Switzerland offers an exceptional work-life balance, allowing digital nomads to live, work, and study comfortably. 

4. Access to High-Quality Education and Healthcare: Golden Visa holders can access top-notch education and healthcare facilities in Switzerland. 

5. Visa-Free Travel to Schengen Countries: With a Golden Visa, digital nomads can travel over to Schengen countries without the need for additional visas. 

6. Tax Incentives: Switzerland offers tax incentives for citizens of countries with double taxation agreements. 

Cost of Living in Switzerland (Approximations): 

- Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) - 1 USD = 0.86 CHF 

- Average Salary: Around 6,712 CHF/Month (7,492.577 USD/Month) 

- Housing: 

One-bedroom apartment: 1,650 CHF ($1,920 USD) 

Three-bedroom apartment: 2,960 CHF ($3,460 USD) 

- Utilities: 

Monthly electricity, water, and related bills: 230 CHF ($265 USD) 

- Dining: 

Meal at a simple restaurant: 25 CHF ($29 USD) 

Meal for two at a restaurant: 100 CHF ($116 USD) 

Digital Nomad Essentials: 

- Internet Speed: 189Mbps 

- Time Zone: GMT+2 

- Socket Type: Type C and Type J 

- Calling Code: +41 

Majestic mountains, lakes, history, natural parks, nightlife, and more make Switzerland a natural stop in our journey of digital nomad-friendly blogs. But we are giving you one more reason to live in Switzerland:  

Our monthly rentals!  

Some by the lake; some overlooking the alps, but all with a Wi-Fi facility and personally curated by experts. Our monthly rentals in Ticino will certainly appeal to your digital nomad lifestyle in Switzerland.